Mr. James Lee Wah is a nationally-recognised dramatic arts director and promoter who dreams of a vibrant theatre community in each district of Trinidad and Tobago and national theatre companies set-up throughout the country. He was one of the first persons to graduate with an Honours Degree in English at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies and, upon his return to Trinidad and Tobago in 1956; he was invited to take over the group, Drama Guild, from Mr. Horace James. He left the group in the capable hands of Mr. Ralph Maraj some twenty years later in order to pursue further educational opportunities. Mr. Lee Wah has been instrumental in jump-starting the careers of several of our reputable dramatists including Ralph Maraj, Errol Setahal, Dennis Hall, Anthony Hall and Sullivan Walker to name a few.

Born in 1931, he received his secondary education at Naparima College, where, as a pupil of Ralph Laltoo, his love of literature was ignited.  As a student of UWI, he later became influenced by Mr. Errol Hill, a pioneer of West Indian literature and former head of UWI's Extra Mural Department at the Mona Campus. It was here that the University Players would take flight; a group of theatre enthusiasts who would work assiduously to propel the theatre-movement forward. The creative atmosphere of this group which included, Hon. Derek Walcott, future Noble Laureate for Literature - 1992, gave rise to a greater love for the theatre.

Returning to Naparima College in 1956, he continued an association with the school which ended only with his retirement in 1998.  In the course of those thirty-two years, he taught English Literature and inaugurated the Shakespeare Festival during the 1960s, of which he would later include the works of renowned West Indian authors.  He cemented the role of drama and stage productions in the school's curriculum and launched and supported student activities such as the student newspaper, live student broadcasts and the Literary and Debating Society. While the impact that he has had at Naparima College is legendary, the great influence that he has exhibited in the local theatre community is undeniable.

James Lee Wah assumed leadership of the fledgling San Fernando Drama Guild in 1956, becoming its artistic director in 1976.  In 1969 he founded the San Fernando Arts Council, and in 1976 co-founded the San Fernando Theatre Workshop. Lee Wah's vision led to the establishment of the National Drama Festival, the Secondary Schools' Drama Association and the formation of the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago. He campaigned tirelessly to have drama included on the syllabus of local schools and his organisation of a national drama festival at the Naparima Bowl, proved to be a great resource for the training of Drama Officers attached to the Ministry of Education.

In the future, James Lee Wah would like to be able to set-up a foundation for the arts in San Fernando.  He is especially concerned with the lack of training facilities which are available for theatre enthusiasts. He is heartened, however, with the strides being made by UTT's Academy for the Performing Arts to better train individuals in all aspects of the performing arts. This father of three shows no signs of slowing down and, ably assisted by his wife Mavis, [herself a pioneer of drama at the Naparima Girl's High School], continues to provide counsel and guidance to the performing arts fraternity within Trinidad and Tobago and abroad.