Rate My Professor Jim Lile

Jim Lile is a Professor of Technical Production and Co-Director of the MFA Technical Production Program in the School of Theatre at Florida State University. He holds a B.A. in Speech Communication and Theatre from Iowa State University (1989) and an M.F.A. in Technical Design and Production from Yale School of Drama (1999). Lile's career encompasses over 25 years in live theatre production. Early roles include Technical Director and Lecturer at Iowa State University Theatre (1990–1996), Stage Manager for the Iowa State Center’s Nutcracker Ballet (1987–1995), and Technical Director for Des Moines Metro Opera (1995–1997). He served as Assistant Professor and Technical Director at Purdue University (1999–2004), Production Manager for Des Moines Metro Opera (1999–2005), Technical Director for Nashville Opera (2002–2004, 2013–2022), Production Manager for Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (2004–2012), and Director of Production for Des Moines Metro Opera (2016–2017, 2019–2021). He joined Florida State University as Assistant Professor in 2012 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018.

At FSU, Lile teaches Technical Design, Scenery Automation, and Production Management, with research interests in Technical Direction and Production Planning. He has earned the Distinguished Achievement in Technical Direction from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Committee (2023), United States Prague Quadrennial from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology ($100,000 grant, 2023), and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region IV Golden Medallion (2019). His publications include the invited article “Crystal Star Drop: Create a Starry Night Illusion Inexpensive in Your Shop” (Southern Theatre Magazine, 2018), “Making Rare Magic” (Theatre Design and Technology, in press), and book chapters “Production Staff” (Des Moines Metro Opera: A 35-Year Retrospective, 2007) and “Technical Solutions for Low-Ceiling Theaters” / “A Flying Rig for Low-Ceiling Theaters” (Technical Design Solutions for the Theatre, 2002). Lile has delivered numerous presentations at USITT Annual Conferences, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and Kennedy Center festivals on production planning, automation, CNC applications, and opera production. As program co-director, he oversees graduate training in welding, hydraulics, electronics, and leadership roles in productions, and leads international scenic exhibits such as at the Prague Quadrennial (2023). He continues freelance work as Technical Director, Production Manager, and consultant for regional opera companies.