James Gary Byrd (Director) This native San Diego artist has been honored with numerous ACT and Aldea Award nominations over the past three decades. Whether it be acting, directing, technical effects, or his imaginative ideas for set and sound design, Gary Byrd has made a worthy contribution to the local theatre scene. He recently directed The Nerd by Larry Shue and My Three Angels by Samuel and Bella Spewack, and was last seen on stage as the ghostly Banquo in The Coronado Playhouse’s Macbeth. Once a featured player for Octad-One Production’s Shakespeare by the Lake series, he appeared as Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Ford in Merry Wives of Windsor, Lodovico in Othello and Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. He lists his favorite role to date as portraying the poet, W.E. Henley, in a staged reading of the radio play Silver for Ensemble Arts Theatre. Other appearances include Romeo and Juliet and King Lear with The Naked Shakespeare Company; Amadeus at the Ruse Marquis Theatre; Poor Murderer at the Old Globe; Mouse That Roared, Bus Stop, Full Circle and Verdict for Lamplighters; Lion in Winter, Three Murders and It’s Only Monday, Once Upon a Mattress and Something’s Afoot with Santee Community Theatre. A former ACT San Diego vice president and board member, Byrd enjoys his spare time writing, creating strategic simulations, presenting living history projects, and studying classical theater.

Photographs by Tony Eisenhower