James (JD) Carter began his curatorial career over 20 years ago in his Williamsburg Brooklyn loft. Filled with music, spoken word, bouffon, visual artists, puppetry, and short films, these gatherings often floated into the wee hours.
Curating and writing birthed James’ theater company, terraNOVA Collective, which presented world-class performers, like Taylor Mac, W. Kamau Bell, Nilaja Sun, Erin Markey, Christen Clifford, Red Bastard, Maya Azucena, Emily DeCola, Nellie Tinder, Victoria Libertore, Joseph Keckler, Corn Mo, and The Bengsons.
terraNOVA also developed and produced countless plays, including James’ own Baby Steps and FEEDER: A Love Story.
Concurrently, James served as Season Producer for The Ensemble Studio Theatre, producing Tony, Pulitzer, and Obie award winners and nominees like David Auburn, José Rivera, and Robert Askins.
James discovered digital and multi-platform storytelling while developing FEEDER: A Love Story. Through this process, James expanded theater beyond the stage. James took storytelling to the streets and created NY_Hearts, a love story shared over a mobile app in site-specific locations.
In recent years, James landed in the Midwest in the great mitten state as Associate Director for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF), annually presenting 200+ events of music, dance, contemporary circus, public radio shows, comedy, film, spectacle, street arts, and family entertainment. Notable artists include 600 HIGHWAYMEN, ADG7, Acrobuffos, Alsarah and the Nubatones, Cirque Alfonse, Falu’s Bazaar, Flaco Navaja, Jazzmeia Horn, Juan Martinez, Kate McIntosh, LADAMA, Mary Mattingly, Melissa Etheridge, Natu Camara, Polyglot Theatre, Pneuhaus, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Reggie Watts, Sona Jobarteh, Scott Silven, Tank and the Bangas, Theater in Quarantine, Wolf 359.
James has written about digital, investigative, interactive, and immersive theater for many publications and was an editor for The Civilians’ Extended Play. He also has helped create multi-platform digital social impact campaigns for Lina Srivastava.
“I envision a more unified world through art, culture, and the humanities,” James says about his work. “Access and inclusion are no longer issues. Disabilities, ethnicities, and beliefs do not separate us. They excite us. Differences spur us to ask questions and understand our shared humanity holistically and lovingly. Wisdom and generosity replace misunderstanding and greed. I attempt to lift up people from all walks of life and inspire the next generation of artists and patrons to view the world through a lens that embraces and stimulates humankind. I meet the audience where they are and bring life-altering art to their doorsteps.”
james carter 