Before the budgets, contracts, meetings, and curtain calls, there was a child with a pair of drumsticks and a love for the spotlight. Like many who find themselves in the world of theater, James Simon grew up immersed in the arts. Raised in a musical household in Westchester, New York, he discovered early on that performance wasn’t just entertainment—it was a way of expressing identity and connecting with others.
By the time he was five, James had already taken to the stage in school plays, and he would go on to develop a passion for music, particularly drumming. This early dual love for sound and story laid the foundation for a career that would eventually shift from performance to producing, but never lose sight of the heart that drives both.
The Performer’s Perspective
There’s something uniquely valuable about approaching production from a performer’s mindset. When someone has stood under the stage lights, waited for their cue, or experienced the nerves before a live audience, they carry that understanding into every aspect of the creative process. For James Simon, producer and former performer, that early stage experience provided more than just fond memories—it offered empathy, insight, and a deep respect for the people who bring a show to life.
Knowing what it feels like to memorize lines, hit marks, and stay emotionally connected in real time adds a layer of emotional intelligence to the role of a producer. It becomes easier to recognize what actors need to feel supported, or how to give directors space to work through artistic challenges. There’s a mutual language spoken between performers and those who’ve been in their shoes. And when a producer can speak that language, the entire production benefits.
From Onstage to Behind the Scenes
After years of studying and practicing the craft, including a meaningful chapter at Emerson College in Boston where he became a regular on the college radio station, James Simon began his career in performance. But his journey eventually took him backstage—literally and figuratively—as he discovered that his strengths and passions were equally suited to producing.
It was a shift that may seem unusual to some, but in reality, it was a natural extension of everything he’d already been doing. Producing allowed James to continue shaping stories and supporting artists, but from a different vantage point. Rather than focusing on one character or one performance, he could now oversee the big picture—helping to guide entire productions from their earliest concepts to opening night.
And because he knew firsthand the intensity of rehearsal schedules, the emotional energy performers invest, and the vulnerability that comes with sharing creative work, he approached producing with compassion and attentiveness. That’s what makes having a performer’s heart so valuable in this role: it brings humanity to a job that is often full of logistics and problem-solving.
Listening Like a Performer
One of the core skills any good performer develops is the ability to listen. Not just to cues or lines, but to emotion, subtext, silence, and energy in the room. James Simon brought that same skill into his producing career. Whether it’s listening to a writer talk through revisions or giving space to a director who’s wrestling with a scene, producers with performance experience tend to listen with more patience and understanding.
That kind of listening isn’t passive. It’s active, engaged, and grounded in the belief that everyone involved in a production has something meaningful to contribute. When a producer listens like a performer, they are more likely to create an environment where creativity flourishes and collaboration feels safe.
Understanding the Stakes
There’s also a practical advantage to having performance in your background when stepping into a producer’s shoes. It gives you a better understanding of what’s truly at stake in the rehearsal room and on stage. While budgets, timelines, and ticket sales are important, they’re not the only metrics that matter. A producer who understands the emotional stakes involved for cast and crew—especially when trying something bold or vulnerable—is better equipped to balance artistic integrity with the realities of production.
James Simon has often pointed out that producing isn’t about control, it’s about stewardship. And when you’ve experienced what it’s like to pour yourself into a role only to have a scene cut or a run shortened, you bring a level of sensitivity to the process that numbers alone can’t teach.
Collaboration Over Command
In theater, no one does it alone. This truth applies to performers and producers alike. But too often, producing can be misunderstood as a top-down role. Those who come from a performance background tend to resist that dynamic. They’ve seen firsthand how top-heavy hierarchies can stifle creativity, and they know that the best work comes from mutual respect.
James Simon, producer and longtime advocate for emerging artists, is a firm believer in collaborative leadership. His performer’s heart drives him to foster environments where ideas can grow organically, where feedback is invited rather than feared, and where every team member feels ownership of the final product.
This doesn’t mean abandoning structure or ignoring hard decisions. It means building a structure strong enough to hold the weight of honest collaboration.
Keeping the Spark Alive
One of the greatest risks in a long creative career is losing touch with the joy that brought you to the work in the first place. But producers who’ve known the thrill of live performance—who’ve felt the pulse of an audience, or the hush before a final line—are less likely to forget that joy.
That’s certainly true for James Simon. Even now, his approach is still rooted in the wonder of those early experiences: the kid in the school play, the drummer finding his rhythm, the radio host connecting with listeners through sound and silence. Those memories aren’t just nostalgic—they’re guiding principles.
A Role Built on Respect
In the end, producing theater is about trust. Artists trust you with their vision, investors trust you with their support, and audiences trust you to bring them something meaningful. The best producers earn that trust not just with results, but with integrity and care.
When a producer brings a performer’s heart to the table, they bring more than just experience—they bring respect. Respect for the process, for the people, and for the power of story. That’s what James Simon continues to champion in his work: a belief that producing isn’t just about making shows happen, but about making space for artists to shine.