James McNamara

Professor of Lighting and Sound Design, Department Chair

James McNamara (he, him, his) is the Professor of Lighting and Sound Design and Chair of the Theatre Arts Department at Westfield State University. He is also an Associate Artist/Designer at The Chester Theatre Company where he has designed since 2006 and an active Company Member at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, MA. Professional design: LaMaMa ETC, Shakespeare and Company, Chester Theatre Company, Ancram Opera House, CompanyOne, Pilgrim Theater Company, Lost Nation Theatre, New Century Theatre, Strong Coffee Stage, New World Theater, Counter Productions Theatre Company, Vermont Commons Group, Sankofa Dance Project and World Myth and Music. While one of the Resident Lighting Directors at The Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA, James had the privilege of providing designs for National Touring acts such as Lilly Tomlin, Steven Wright, The Bangles, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hot 8 Brass Band and The Gary Burton Quartet Featuring Pat Metheny. Assistant design: The Guthrie Theatre Center, The McCarter Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Clarence Brown Theatre and Bard SummerScape. James has designed productions or taught classes in the undergraduate programs at Yale University, Amherst College, Smith College, Franklin Pierce University and The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. James is an active member in good standing with IATSE Local 232 where he served as the Chair of The Board of Trustees from 2015-2017. James was the Co-Chair of Design, Technology and Management for the Region 1, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival from 2018-2020 and the Co-Vice Chair from 2015-2017. On occasion he creates music for productions as a percussionist while also playing the guitar, bass and mandolin. James received his MFA in Theatre Design from UMASS Amherst. Currently, James lives in Belchertown, MA with his wife and 2 children. They are avid campers and have visited 21 National Parks and counting.

• MFA in Theatre Design from UMASS Amherst