Freelance Lighting Design Projects
Felon* The McCarter Theatre Spring 2023
The Running Show Monica Bill Barnes & Company Fall 2022
Assassins* Classic Stage Company Fall 2021
The Running Show Monica Bill Barnes & Company Fall 2021
The Cradle Will Rock* Classic Stage Company Spring 2019
Voyage of Time BAM – Opera House Fall 2018
New York Comedy Festival BAM – Opera House Fall 2018
The Resistible Rise of Autuor Ui* Classic Stage Company Fall 2018
Roe Asolo Repertory Theatre Spring 2018
New Sounds Live Festival Brookfield Plaza Fall 2017
Pink Martini BAM – Opera House Spring 2017
RadioLoveFest BAM – Harvey Theatre Spring 2017
In Your Face St. Ann’s Warehouse Fall 2016
RadioLoveFest BAM – Opera House Spring 2016
Pop-Up Magazine BAM – Opera House Spring 2016
*Co-Design with Jane Cox
Freelance Associate Lighting Design Projects
The Weir The Abbey Theatre International Spring 2023
Macbeth Longacre Theatre Broadway Spring 2022
Felon Princeton University Regional Fall 2021
Jitney Regional Tour Regional Fall 2019
Soft Power The Public Theatre Off Broadway Fall 2019
True West The Roundabout Theatre Broadway Fall 2018
The Color Purple Papermill Playhouse Regional Fall 2018
Soft Power The Curran Theatre Regional Summer 2018
Othello Delacourte Theatre Off Broadway Summer 2018
Soft Power The Ahmanson Theatre Regional Spring 2018
The Color Purple US National Tour Touring Fall 2017
Pacific Overtures Classic Stage Company Off Broadway Fall 2017
Roe Berkeley Rep Regional Spring 2017
Roe Arena Stage Regional Spring 2017
Jitney The Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway Fall 2016
Noises Off The Roundabout Theatre Broadway Spring 2016
The Color Purple Bernard B. Jacob’s Theatre Broadway Fall 2015
The Real Thing The Roundabout Theatre Broadway Spring 2014
The Realistic Joneses The Lyceum Theatre Broadway Spring 2014
Violet The Roundabout Theatre Broadway Spring 2014
Machinal The Roundabout Theatre Broadway Fall 2014
Other Professional Experience
Monica Bill Barnes & Company
Lighting Director – Fall 2013-Present
Responsibilities included working with the resident production and design teams as well as the production team of touring venues to advance the shipping of props and scenery as well as the rental and construct of a lighting package that accommodates the fiscal and time limitations and fulfills the artistic intent of the touring production. Daily duties included managing the load-in, set up and strike of all props, scenery and lighting equipment, and full responsibility for maintaining the overall artistic esthetic as well as acting as the calling Stage Manager for the performance.
New York City Opera
Lighting Director – Spring 2009-Spring 2013
Responsibilities include collaborating with designers and other department heads to develop functional and feasible lighting designs for new operas produced in a variety of venues ranging from BAM to New York City Center, El Museo Del Barrio and The Lynch Theatre at John Jay College. Daily duties included the coordination of rental lighting and projection equipment, the development and management of the departmental budget as well as staffing and managing both union crews.
BAM
Production Coordinator - Fall 2008-Spring 2009
Responsibilities included working with a wide range of artistic, administrative staff and rental clients to coordinate the production of a variety of events including live musical concerts, literary readings, film festivals, receptions, lectures, theatrical performances as well as art exhibits and auctions. Daily duties included the management of I.A.T.S.E. Local 4 stagehands, creating and administrating specific production budgets and acting as the primary contact and Production Manager for the BAM Café Live Concert Series.
Educational Experience
Princeton University
Full Time Lecturer – Fall 2022-Present
Responsibilities include acting as a participating instructor in a studio-based seminar class. This class is constructed to mentor student designers through their first design process from conception to collaboration, to construction and execution. The class incorporates much one on one time between instructor and students to allow for a positive process-based experience.
In addition to class instruction, duties include working as a one on one mentor with the students working as lighting designers for the Princeton Theatre Department production season.
Roundabout Theatre Company
Master Teaching Artist – Fall 2012-Present
Responsibilities include working with a wide range of students and educators to plan and execute workshops created to teach lighting and production skills to populations ranging from high school freshman to New York City public school teachers to recent paroles participating in community enrichment programs. The current primary focus of responsibilities is with the development and execution of the lighting curriculum for the “Theatre Workforce Development Program.” TWDP is a continuing education program focused on preparing students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully enter the theatrical production workforce.
United Scenic Artist Local 829
Apprentice and Education Administrator – Spring 2017-Fall 2018
Responsibilities included working with USA829 staff members and Training and Apprentice Trustees to plan and schedule educational seminars for both the USA829 Scenic Apprentice Class as well as continuing education opportunities for the union’s general membership. These seminars range in content from “3D Vectorworks Drafting for Lighting Designers” to “Understanding the Language in Design Project Contracts.”
Brooklyn College
Adjunct Professor – Summer 2015-Spring 2018
Responsibilities include acting as the primary instructor for the department’s undergraduate Introduction to Lighting Design course. In this class, throughout the semester we endeavor to explore the purpose of stage lighting design as well as basic design elements that make up the art form. The class is constructed to give students a full view of what lighting design is as well as hands on experience creating and constructing it. In addition to class instruction, duties include working as a one on one mentor with the graduate and undergraduate students working as lighting designers for the Brooklyn College production season.
Personal Education
Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from Louisiana State University received May 2000.
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English from Louisiana State University received December 1996.
Special Skills
Advanced skill with Windows and Mac operating systems, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Lightwright, ETC EOS lighting console software, MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Photoshop, After Effects and Power Point.
References – Available Upon Request
Copyright © 2018 Tess James Lighting Designer/Design Associate - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy