James Davis - NMU Theatre and Dance

James "Jim" Davis is a veteran leader in arts education and a seasoned professional in the theatre industry. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts at Detroit Country Day School, where he oversaw the PK3-12th grade arts program, focusing on faculty hiring, curriculum development, budget management, and strategic growth initiatives. During his tenure, he also headed the Arts Conservatory program for grades 9-12 and supervised the Seligman Performing Arts Center, fostering community engagement and fundraising efforts.

Mr. Davis holds a Master of Science in Entertainment Business Management from Full Sail University (2010) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Wayne State University (1999), specializing in scenic and lighting design. His extensive career at Detroit Country Day School began in 2000 as a Technical Director and Faculty member, teaching theatre production and design. He also served as Interim Arts Department Chair, guiding curriculum and faculty support.

Beyond his academic roles, Mr. Davis has numerous lighting, sound, scenic, and technical direction credits for the Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Warren Civic Theatre, Sterling Civic Theatre, and Plowshares Theatre Co., among others. Notably, he received "Best Sound Design" in 2019 from EncoreMichigan.com for his work on On Golden Pond at JET Theatre. He has demonstrated his commitment to advancing arts education and practice by being actively involved with the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, having presented at the 2008 Annual Conference in Houston, TX, and the Michigan Educational Theatre Association, where he served as a board member and on the planning committee for the annual Michigan State Thespian Festival.