Rate My Professor James Wulfsong

James Wulfsong serves as Associate Professor of Design/Theater Technology in the Department of Theater and Dance within the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, earned in 1998. Throughout his tenure at SIUE, Wulfsong has held leadership positions, including Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, as evidenced by his role leading faculty searches and providing references for departmental grants. His administrative contributions extend to university governance, where he acts as Faculty Association Representative on the University Planning and Budget Council and as a member of the Faculty Development Council representing Theater and Dance.

In his teaching and scholarly activities, Wulfsong developed an interactive iBook for THEA 150-151: Core Scene Design and Construction as part of SIUE's Open Educational Resources pilot program, supplemented by YouTube videos demonstrating tools used in scenic construction and design. He secured a $14,898 Excellence in Undergraduate Education grant in 2019 for the project 'Computer Numerical Control in the modern scenic studio,' which funded the construction and installation of a 5'x10' bed CNC machine in the theater shop. This equipment supports precision and repeatable manufacturing of scenic units from plywood, foam, aluminum, and composites across courses including introductory design and construction (THEA 150), computer drafting and rendering (340B), advanced design (350), and construction (399), with plans for new courses in advanced manufacturing techniques for scenery and props, potentially leading to CAD and CNC certification. Wulfsong has made substantial design contributions to SIUE productions, serving as lighting designer for Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (2015), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2018, including projections), Proof (2016), and Two Gentlemen of Verona (2016, also scenic designer), as well as scenic designer for Everybody (2021) and other shows including set design for department productions directed by Kathi Bentley.