James Taylor is the professor of Pomona College Theatre for the Claremont Colleges. He is an expert in the creation of set and lighting design for theatrical productions. Over the course of his career, he has designed over 100 productions in the academic and professional theatre, both in the United States and abroad.

In addition to his theatre design work, he has a research interest in Philippine theatre, begun during a Fulbright Fellowship to the Philippines in 1997–1998. He also has done research in the works of the South African playwright Athol Fugard and in the translation of Shakespeare's plays to film. He has received many awards and honors in the field of lighting design and theatre research.