Professor of Communication Arts
Degrees
Master of Fine Arts, City University of New York
Bachelor of Arts, Oswego State University
Office: Aquinas 120-G
Office Hours: M/W 10 am-Noon, 1:30-4 pm; T/Th 8-9
am
Phone: 845-569-3234
Email: james.beard@msmc.edu
Courses
CMA 2170, Public Speaking
CMA 3170, Advanced Public Speaking
CMA 4500, Coordinating Seminar
Bio
Prior to joining the Mount Saint Mary College faculty, Professor
Beard appeared in numerous theatrical productions in New York and
throughout the country. As the theatre director at the Mount, he
directed approximately thirty-five productions between 1982 and
2009. He has served the college as chair of the Division of Arts
and Letters, chair of the Curriculum and Promotion and Tenure
Committees, and as chair of the Faculty Senate. He was awarded the
college’s Faculty Award for meritorious service in 2001. In 2009,
he retired from theatrical production, but continues to teach full
time at the college. His areas of specialization are speech, modern
British and America drama, and the plays of Eugene O’Neill.
Professor Beard earned a BA in speech and theatre from Oswego
State University, an MFA in directing from City University of New
York, and received his professional acting training at the American
Academy of Dramatic Art. He is a member of the Association for
Theatre in Higher Education and Theatre Association of New York
State. He has served on the board of the Orange County Arts Council
and currently chairs the board of directors of Ritz Theater
Newburgh, Inc.