Jeremy James is a theatre director, actor, dramaturg and teaching artist, whose work and research have taken him to more than 20 countries over the past 25 years. His sharply crafted ensemble work is described by eminent theatre academic, Patrice Pavis, as ’masterly performed [and] characteristic of the recent evolution of the dramaturgy of the actor’. He tells stories which inspire dialogue about who we are and who we want to be; actively questioning the role theatre plays in society today.

Characterised by tightly choreographed performances, his main stage and site-specific productions create immersive experiences which draw on laboratory theatre principles, new writing practices, dance, live music, puppetry, mask and innovative design. He embraces artistic, cultural and linguistic diversity to expand traditional narratives and enrich the connections between the text, the actor and the audience.

His distinctive approach to theatre practice and pedagogy evolved through his work and training with European master directors and teachers, including Ariane Mnouchkine, Philippe Gaulier, Monika Pagneux and the founding members of Complicite. Based in Europe since 1996, he developed his acting, directing and devising techniques working with Anatoly Vasiliev, Andrei Serban, Katie Mitchell, Kristin Linklater, Grzegorz Bral, Anna Zubrzycki, Enrique Pardo and Richard Armstrong.

After completing an extended residency with Ariane Mnouchkine and the Théâtre du Soleil in 1997, he returned to work permanently with the company in Paris for eight years from 2002. Collaborating on the dramaturgy, designs and staging of the company’s collectively devised theatre and film projects; Le Dernier Caravansérail, Les Éphémères and Les Naufragés de Fol Espoir, Jeremy performed at prestigious theatres and international festivals, receiving notable public and critical acclaim for his work.

As a guest director and lecturer, Jeremy has worked with leading theatre schools and universities in Australia – WAAPA, NIDA, VCA, University of New South Wales, University of Tasmania and overseas – National Theatre School, Studio 58 (Canada) Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Royal College of Art (UK) University of Washington, Universiteit Utrecht, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Shanghai Theatre Academy and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

His specialist workshops have been designed for professional actors, directors, choreographers, dancers and creative pedagogues, and have been hosted by, among others, Griffin Theatre, Back to Back, Critical Path, Ridiculusmus (Australia) Teatro Timbre 4, Galpón FACE (Argentina) Cia.Stravaganza, b_arco centro cultural, Unidade de Teatro de Caxias do Sul (Brazil) Electric Company Theatre, Why Not Theatre, Volcano Theatre, University of British Columbia (Canada) Universidad de Las Americas (Chile) Festival International de Formation de l’Acteur (France) PETA (Philippines) Teatro Español, Pabellón 6, Escénika Campus Internacional de Verán (Spain) Comedia Nacional, Teatro Solís, Teatro Victoria (Uruguay).