James. Merillat, an award-winning composer, has been working professionally in the theatre since his teens. He was an adjunct faculty member in the Drama Department at Catholic University in Washington D.C. James studied under Lehman Engel and Maury Yeston in the BMI Workshop for Musical Theatre composers and lyricists. Collaborating with Dick Pasqual, James’ show EXIT MUSIC, based on a short story by Noel Coward, was the winner of the first Bernice Cohen ASCAP Workshop Award and was produced off-Broadway by the Village Theatre Company in 1992 earning rave reviews. Other shows produced around the country include A Christmas Carol (1982, Baltimore), Still Waiting (1985 New York, 1989 and 1992 Chicago), Teasers & Tormentors (1987 New York), Trunk Songs (1993 New York), Playing the Palace (New York 1999, La Crosse 2002), Radio Eyes (New York 1986, Austin 2008) and Wonderland High (all over US 2010-present), licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI). James is a proud member of the Dramatist’s Guild.