James is a classically trained actor (Ryerson Theatre School/CANADA) dedicated to all aspects of movement, puppetry, motion capture, live skin suits and creature movement. He calls Toronto, Canada home but his work takes him across Canada, USA, UK and Asia.

He is currently working exclusively with Disney Cruise, as part of the Creative Team as the resident Puppet Specialist; dedicated to the performance of puppetry in theatrical productions across all current Disney Cruise Line shows.

James began steady work in his chosen career path of puppetry and movement after the success of WAR HORSE where James debuted as head puppeteer (Joey, Topthorn, goose) in 3 different productions of the show spanning 4 countries, beginning with the premier production in Toronto (Mirvish Productions), The North American/Japan tour, and finishing in the West End (New London Theatre).

In 2018, James joined the original Broadway cast as swing animatronics puppeteer and voice of Kong for Broadway’s KING KONG. He is currently the only person (including international productions) to have operated all three animatronic rigs under show conditions. KONG was a recipient of a Special Tony Award, for the creative ingenuity of Sonny Tilders, Creature Technologies, and the performers who helped bring the massive beast to life. The Ensemble was also awarded a Chita Rivera award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway show. The puppeteers of Kong were also awarded an Outer Critics Circle Award for Exceptional Artistry that same season/year.

Simultaneously he served as the puppetry consultant for the Stratford Festival of Canada’s THE NEVERENDING STORY. (2019). In that same year, James completed R&D on The Old Trout Puppet Workshops production of GHOST OPERA in Calgary, Canada, and was puppetry consultant for Carousel Players’ Production of THE ADVENTURES OF MARY JANE MOSQUITO which toured across the nation of Canada.

In other notable large scale puppetry productions James originated the title characters in Paramount's "The Animables", and worked on research & development of new puppets for Significant Object, for the production Circus 1903, later going on to take over the role of head puppeteer of “Queenie” the Elephant during the shows run at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as appearances in Singapore and London’s Southbank Centre.

After completing research and development on a new large scale puppet (Atlas the lion) with Brunksill and Grimes, where he was again head puppeteer, he stayed on as associate puppetry director for the Longleat Estate 50th Anniversary celebrations.

James is a passionate director and educator and has taught workshops across the USA, Canada and the UK. (Notably, Kingsway College in Toronto, Queens University and University of Toronto.) He is one of 4 people certified in North America by the National Theatre of Great Britain to conduct workshops and classes in the art of puppetry and movement.

He also works in performance/motion capture, and has trained with Terry Notary in the USA, and Ivan Sherry (MOCAPU) in Toronto.

He is a recipient of an Outer Critics Circle Award for Exceptional Artistry and has been part of Tony awarded, Olivier, and Dora winning productions.