M.F.A. in Acting from Southern Methodist University, B.A. in Drama from University of Washington.

James Newman was previously the Artistic Director of Summer Repertory Theatre Festival. During his tenure at Summer Rep, James has directed Sister Act, Cinderella, Pippin, Bonnie & Clyde, West Side Story, Chicago, Merrily We Roll Along, South Pacific, Stones in his Pockets, La Cage aux Folles, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Human Events, and the North Bay premieres of Shrek the Musical, 9 to 5 the Musical, Hairspray, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Peter and the Starcatcher. As an adaptor, his work has included new adaptations of Peter Pan, Hamlet: Three Deaths in Denmark and Dangerous Liaisons (with Vampires). Before moving to SRJC, James served Artistic Director of Seattle's GREX Theatre, a collaborative theatre company that focused on language-based contemporary and classic plays.  At GREX, James directed the world premiere of Patrick Scott’s Whole Famdamily and produced the US premiere of Noel Coward’s Semi Monde. James’ recent work with new plays and musicals also includes directing the workshop production of Jonathan Feldman and Neil Berg’s Never Grimm and producing the workshop of Erin Kamler and Carson Kreitzer’s Runway 69.  James is originally from Littleton, Colorado.