Tagline
JAMES
CASS
Actor
"If I had to peg myself, I'm definitely more of a character actor. I love to contribute to characters that interact with the circumstances of the story but are on their own journeys as well. I absolutely love the process of creating a character. If it’s a historical person, I turn into a bit of a sleuth, digging into the research to find those specific, hidden details that make a performance real. Honestly, in many ways, I feel more comfortable in the characters I embody than in my own skin.
My approach comes from two different, but complementary, worlds. On one hand, I have a Shakespearean and classical mindset, where I believe all the clues for the role are waiting to be uncovered in the text. On the other hand, I believe improvisation is fundamental to making a moment feel alive. Those two disciplines are married in the work of Michael St. Deni, who designed the original Juliard drama Curriculum, and his ideas are a big influence on my self-study. It's why I think improv comedians often make the best character actors: they have the discipline to stay in character while reacting entirely in the moment. That balance of textual rigor and spontaneous reaction is exactly what I try to bring to my work." -JC
SAG-Eligible
AEA
Castability Overview
James possesses a highly adaptable look and chameleon-like performance style, preferring supporting to leading roles. His castability naturally encompasses:
Comedic
The Journey
James Cass is an actor and content producer blending classical stage training with modern digital storytelling. James was involved in drama programs every year of his high school career, and for senior year took a media and communications class where he wrote, starred in and assisted with various film projects. He then moved west and spent many years on various local stages as a rock musician.
After rediscovering his passion for acting in his thirties, he immersed himself in the craft, studying Shakespeare at the Stella Adler Studio and Red Bull Theater, with an additional self study of techniques ranging from Stanislavski to Delsarte. Often described as "an old soul", he has a natural command of the classics, while having a strong awareness of the requirements for playing modern drama. Due to his easy, indulging nature he also naturally sits well in comedy roles and improv situations. His stage highlights include Banquo in Macbeth and Aeacus in Tier5’s Styx and Stones, while his screen work spans from web series like Street Philosophy TV to photo double work on Happy Gilmore 2. He is the founder of Monologamist, an innovative digital channel dedicated to character-driven one-man shows, with a collaborative vision for featuring future guest artists. James takes a keen interest in phonetics, facial expression, gesture, oratory, and other curiosities that lend a unique charm to his performances.