James Davis

Assistant Professor
Lighting and Sound Design
Associate Director for Production and Facilities
Email: kdavis01@ksu.edu
Office: 102 Nichols Hall

Biography
Professor Davis serves as the Associate Director for Production and Facilities for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, Resident Lighting and Sound Designer, and the Stage Management Coordinator for the theatre program. Professor Davis is also the faculty mentor on student projects that relate to both the technical and design elements of lighting and sound.

James is a native Kansan from Great Bend, Kansas. In undergrad he started out as a sound technician and carpenter but quickly realized he enjoyed pointing bright lights at actors instead. During graduate school James also dialed in on his leadership abilities and pursued Stage Management in addition to Lighting Design. James has worked for theatres across the United States from South Carolina to New Mexico. Throughout the year, James works as the Executive Producer for the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, an Actors Equity Summer Stock company on the banks of the Mississippi. As the Executive Producer, he is responsible for all matters ranging from hiring team members to picking the shows for the season. James’ professional memberships include Actors Equity Association, United States Institute of Theatre Technology, Treasurer of the Heart of America Section of USITT, and American Theatre in Higher Education. For more information about James’ credits and work please visit jameskdavis.com.

Courses taught

Lighting Design, Lighting Design and Technologies II, Fundamentals of Design, Stage Management, Sound Design, Advanced Stage Management, Fundamentals of Technical Theatre.

Education

M.F.A Western Illinois University, Lighting Design
B.A. Sterling College, Theatre and Communications

Favorite Quote

“Everything’s impossible until somebody does it.”- Bruce Wayne