James Beck, Founder
James is a native of Atlanta and has also lived in Chicago. Currently, he is the Founder of Onion Man Productions, and served as the Managing Director from 2003-2018 . At different points in the history of Onion Man, James has also served in the role of Artistic Director. The company had its first life in Chicago when it produced the first workshop and staged reading of James' play, The Secret of the Cat. It was also in Chicago where James maintained an association with Chicago Dramatists. It was there he met a group of playwrights that banded together and produced a show that staged ten short plays called, Back Porch Secrets at Chicago Dramatists. This group of writers produced the shows working under the name B.U.M.S. (Blatnoi Underground Music Society). However, James would end up leaving Chicago, and Onion Man Productions came to a temporary end.
After relocating back to his hometown of Atlanta, James built on his experience in Chicago, by leading a couple of playwright produced collections of ten-minute plays. Then in 2008, James decided to officially relaunch Onion Man Productions in Georgia, with its first production staged in January 2009.
James' purpose for creating Onion Man Productions was to provide an “open door” for people looking to find an outlet in Atlanta for getting their plays produced, and for actors and directors to grow in their craft. Whether a person comes with a strong background in theatre or is taking a new journey in the world of theatre, the goal has always been to create a place where a theatre artist could participate in quality productions, entertain audiences, and grow creatively.
In addition to his work with Onion Man, James has had the pleasure of being part of an ensemble with Lionheart Theatre Company that won the Georgia Theatre Conference in 2008. James also won "Best Actor" in 2013 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards the for his role as "Lennie" in Of Mice and Men produced at Lionheart. And in 2015 James was nominated for a Fusion Award from Art Works Gwinnett in the category for Community Impact- Performing Artist. He is also a playwright, producer, director, teacher, and enjoys helping fellow theatre artists reach their artistic goals.
After relocating back to his hometown of Atlanta, James built on his experience in Chicago, by leading a couple of playwright produced collections of ten-minute plays. Then in 2008, James decided to officially relaunch Onion Man Productions in Georgia, with its first production staged in January 2009.
James' purpose for creating Onion Man Productions was to provide an “open door” for people looking to find an outlet in Atlanta for getting their plays produced, and for actors and directors to grow in their craft. Whether a person comes with a strong background in theatre or is taking a new journey in the world of theatre, the goal has always been to create a place where a theatre artist could participate in quality productions, entertain audiences, and grow creatively.
In addition to his work with Onion Man, James has had the pleasure of being part of an ensemble with Lionheart Theatre Company that won the Georgia Theatre Conference in 2008. James also won "Best Actor" in 2013 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards the for his role as "Lennie" in Of Mice and Men produced at Lionheart. And in 2015 James was nominated for a Fusion Award from Art Works Gwinnett in the category for Community Impact- Performing Artist. He is also a playwright, producer, director, teacher, and enjoys helping fellow theatre artists reach their artistic goals.