Joshua B. Williamson

Director of the School of Theatre and Dance | Professor of Lighting Design and Technology

School of Theatre and Dance

(304) 293-6806 Joshua.Williamson@mail.wvu.edu 3063 Canady Creative Arts Center

MFA – University of Wisconsin–Madison
BFA – Ithaca College
IATSE Local #578
ETCP Entertainment Electrician

Professor Williamson has served as Director of the School of Theatre & Dance since 2007. With an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Williamson has extensive professional credits as a freelance lighting designer, including designs for Arkansas Repertory Theatre, The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine, The Theatre at Monmouth, West Virginia Public Theatre, and the West Virginia Dance Company. Recent designs include Clue for West Virginia Public Theatre and the King Lear film project with West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

His special event and architectural lighting designs include WVU’s iconic Woodburn Hall, the WVU Basketball pre-game light show (men’s and women’s), and the annual WVU Children’s Hospital Gala Fundraiser. Currently, Williamson is the lead designer on the Gateway Streetscape Lighting Project on the west end in Charleston, WV along West Washington Street.

Williamson’s current research involves studying the dynamics of entertainment power systems as the industry transitions to non-tungsten lighting sources. Professor Williamson also leads WVU’s participation in ETC’s Beta Test Program for Ion/Element control systems.

Professor Williamson is a member of USITT’s Lighting Commission and has previously served as the Vice-Commissioner for Light Lab for six years. He is also a journeyman member of IATSE Local 578 and the chairperson of the Arts & Culture Commission for the City of Morgantown, WV. Williamson is also an active member of the National Association of School of Theatre (NAST) serving on the Commission on Accreditation from 2021-2027.