James Gary Byrd (Director/Associate Producer) Serving in every aspect of play production over the past three decades, this native San Diego artist has received numerous ACT and Aldea Award nominations for acting, directing, technical effects, as well his designs for both set and sound. He was last seen on our stage as the ghostly Banquo in Macbeth, and was a featured player for Octad-One Production’s “Shakespeare by the Lake” series appearing 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 and Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. He lists his favorite role to date as portraying the determined poet W.E.Henley  in a staged reading of the radio play Silver for the Ensemble Arts Theatre. Other appearances include: Romeo and Juliet and King Lear with The Naked Shakespeare Co; Amadeus at the Ruse Marquis Theatre; Poor Murderer at the Old Globe; The Mouse That Roared, Bus Stop, Full Circle and Verdict for the Lamplighters; Lion in Winter, Three Murders and it’s Only Monday, Once Upon a Mattress and Something’s Afoot with Santee Community Theater. A former ACT San Diego vice president and board member, James enjoys his spare time writing, creating strategic simulations, presenting living history projects, and studying classical theater. “I would like to dedicate this production to the loving memory of Ruth Mary Byrd.”