James French
Biography
Jim French is a versatile lighting designer whose work spans the performing arts, live events, and large-scale productions. In dance and theater, he has collaborated with a remarkable roster of artists, including Crystal Pite, Benjamin Millepied, Hofesh Shechter, Jo Stromgren, Lil’ Buck, Trey McIntyre, Alexander Ekman, Yuri Possokhov, Arthur Pita, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwert, Alonzo King, Pascal Rioult, Nicolo Fonte, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Jessica Lang, Emma Portner, Bandaloop, Joe Goode, Christopher Wheeldon, Emily Molnar, and Twyla Tharp.
His lighting designs have illuminated stages at leading institutions such as San Francisco Ballet, Ballett Basel, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Carte Blanche, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Finnish National Ballet, Introdans, ODC Dance, SF Jazz, Ballet West, LA Dance Project, Texas Ballet Theater, Rioult Dance NY, Sacramento Ballet, West Edge Opera, Shotgun Players, Marin Theater Company, Richmond Ballet, and Ballet X. To date, his productions have been presented in 25 countries and 36 U.S. states.
Beyond the performing arts, Jim brings his expertise to events for clients in tech, media, retail, and medical technology, including Google, Ariba, McKesson, SAP, Flatiron, Skillsoft, Imprivata, ServiceSource, The New Yorker, Nespresso, JC Penney, TechCrunch, and SuccessFactors. He is also dedicated to cause-driven projects, working with organizations such as The Goldman Environmental Prize, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Bike East Bay, Made In A Free World, Coal + Ice, and North Beach Citizens.
Jim’s production support encompasses stage management, show calling, production management, technical direction, tour advance, and drafting. His creative vision and technical expertise continue to elevate performances and events across disciplines and around the world.