Lee Basham

Technical Director & Resident Set Designer

Leland Basham has contributed so much to the cultural life of our area by working on over 200 productions from San Francisco to San Jose.  He has founded or co-founded two theatre companies; his creative talents and energy have enriched Hillbarn productions through hundreds of hours of both paid and volunteer time.  Being a non standard stage, Hillbarn must design and build unique sets--every show.  Lee is the magician behind Hillbarn's unique trait.

By no means a comprehensive list, organizations that have benefited from Lee's talents include Comedia Repertory Company, Menlo Players Guild, Foothill College, Circle Star Theater, Palo Alto Players, TheatreWorks, California School for the Deaf, Santa Clara Junior Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Players and our own Hillbarn Theatre.

In fact, there is scarcely a position in theatre that Lee has not has his hands on, thereby making a lasting impression on performing arts in our county.  His stage credits include Lighting Design, Set Design, Master Carpenter, Set Construction, Special Effects, Stage Manager, Technical Director, Sound Designer, House Manager, Follow Spot Operator, Crew Chief, Properties Master and "gypsying" productions in truck or trailer to another theater for performances.  His commercial work (which includes radio, television, film and industrials) rounds out his lengthy performing arts credentials.

As a public school special education teacher in the Santa Clara and San Mateo County School Districts, he taught special needs children and young adults for 30 years and for the most recent 15 years he taught hearing impaired classes.  Early in his career, he worked in the private sector as an Orientation and Mobility Instructor for the blind for two years at the Peninsula Center for the Blind in Palo Alto.  He was an instructor in the field of Special Education at De Anza College for 12 years and an occassional guest lecturer at Stanford University.  Recently retired from the school district, he spends most of his time at Hillbarn.  While spending the last 45 years in theatre, Lee's interest in photography has grown and he is currently Co-Chairman of the Foster City Photography Contest.