Josh Loar
Senior Consultant
Josh provides unique, bespoke consultation to global clients to help them achieve their goals. He Design AV Systems for performing arts facilities, museums, corporate and university campuses, themed entertainment, and more. As the Interim Blue Team Principal, Josh leads our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts across the global group.
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Josh has 20 years’ experience designing audio, video, and control systems for theatres, concert halls, festivals, galleries, theme parks, corporate events and installations, and other spaces and events. In addition to work with Charcoalblue, Josh has served as Audio and Communications System Designer for Walters-Storyk Design Group, Audio, Video, Control Systems Designer for The Producers Group, AV Engineer for Technical Multimedia Design Inc, and the founding technical director and head engineer for Le Poisson Rouge, NYC. He has designed systems for every kind of event space, and has designed large distributed systems for a wide range of installations. He is an accomplished FOH (Front-of-House) and recording engineer, having worked with artists including Paul Simon, David Byrne, Living Colour, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Rickie Lee Jones, Charlie Haden, Philip Glass, and many, many more. He is an educator who taught at the university level for more than a decade, at Yale School of Drama and Michigan Technological University. He is the author of The Sound System Design Primer (Routledge, 2019). He is also a multimedia artist, musician, producer, director, and creator of assorted weird things.
Production Credits: Shanghai Disney Resort; Lotte World (S. Korea); Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama; Michigan Technological University; Le Poisson Rouge, NYC; Galapagos Art Space; California Shakespeare Theatre; SF Mime Troupe; etc.
If you were to establish your own venue, what would you call it?
The Speakeasy
…and what would that venue specialize in? Dance, live music, theatre…?
Music, comedy, dance, occasional theatre. A variety of amusements!
What qualities should a 'great performance space' have?
It should link artist and audience, provide a unique and exciting space to occupy, and not be too uptight. My favorite venues are those where audiences feel comfortable to be themselves and engage with the performances on their own terms.
What first sparked your love of theatre or performing arts?
I've been around live entertainment my whole life, I started playing drums at age 8, and frequently attended performances at Bridges Auditorium at the Claremont Colleges when I was growing up. It wasn't till high school that I really got serious about theatre, and I owe that to my wonderful teacher, Krista Elhai, who saw some kind of strange talent and ambition in me and encouraged me to develop it. I've been involved in theatre and live events ever since!
Supporting the industry internationally since 2004
