BIO:
James Manuel Meneses is a Chilean Chinese Playwright, Actor and Producer based in NYC. His play HEALING MINED will be receiving its world premiere at TheaterLab in the spring of 2025. He produced and wrote the book for the NYC reading presentation of HERE IS GONE a Sci-fi musical featuring the iconic songs of the Goo Goo Dolls. James’ play DREAM FRAGMENTATION, was produced by the Greenhouse Ensemble at the Bernie Wohl Center. His play WHILE YOU WAIT, an experimental one act drama with dance and performance art received a production on the Upper West side at Theater 97 (NYC); Other plays include, CROSS FROM ROME (Greenhouse Ensemble's 6th 10min play festival); GHOST HUNT OF THE PANDEMIC (Theater Unmasked); MAMA'S BABY BOXER (Dramatists Guild Foundation, reading)
Before embarking on the journey of playwriting, James acted in over a dozen plays in NYC, including SUNSHINE QUEST at the Wild Project, 44TH AND 9TH written by Christy Hall, and SECOND SEAT which received the best play award at the New York Theater festival. James co-starred with Judith Roberts and Margaret Reed in the comedy short film REUNION. (ECU Film Festival, Chelsea Film Festival)
James is a proud member of the DRAMATISTS GUILD and is currently a Lyricist in Michael Radi's MUSICAL THEATRE WRITER'S WORKSHOP. He was previously a member of NEXT STAGE, a producing program led by Ken Davenport, as well as The GREENHOUSE ENSEMBLE, where he was a producer of Frank Tangredi's play MUSE (The Tank)
James has trained in playwriting with Julie McKee (HB Studio) and Lia Romeo (ESPA); He studied acting with Austin Pendleton, Michael Beckett (HB Studio); Susan Pilar, Heater Benton, Lester Shane (American Academy of Dramatic Arts); and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology from Alfred State College.
Photos by Bronwen Sharp
Synopsis
Driven by a premonition that her unborn son will be separated from her at birth, Bianca Sullivan a loyal civilian begins to defy the rules set by her country’s authoritarian leadership. HERE IS GONE intertwines the evocative tunes of the GOO GOO DOLLS to tell a tale of sacrifice, rebellion, and the limitless power of dreams, while exploring a futuristic world where genuine human connection is overridden by laws and technological advancements.
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Reading Presentation of HERE IS GONE a Goo Goo Dolls Musical (March 7th 2024)
"LET LOVE IN"
"FEARLESS"
"MIRACLE PILL"
SITZPROBE REHEARSAL
Producer of MUSE:
Where do you draw the line between artistic inspiration and toxic need? Two families try to answer this question in the wake of a horrific act that could tear them apart.
IN DEVELOPMENT:
"FOOTBALL BALLERINA" In this play, the bond between two sisters, Michelle and Sarah Lombardo, takes center stage. Michelle, who is autistic, uses rituals to summon the spirits of their ancestors to convince Sarah to return to playing football. When words fail her, Michelle finds solace in song, using music to express the depth of her emotions. The story unfolds like a memory, shifting between this period and 11 years earlier when Sarah was entering the college football stage, a time when their father, a recovering alcoholic, grapples with the grief of losing their mother, and begins to withdraw from his children. A time when Sarah must navigate the demands of taking care of Michelle, while facing the pressure of pursuing her own dreams of becoming the first female professional football player.
"HEALING MINED" After the death of a loved one, Gonzalo—a middle-aged father and husband—withdraws into a world of dreams, fairytales, and faded memories that bring him moments of peace. In these other worlds, he seeks connection, hoping to feel seen, understood, and less alone. But as reality and fantasy begin to intertwine, he’s forced to confront a difficult truth: the comfort he’s been chasing isn’t in the past or his dreams but in accepting the uncertain future that’s waiting for him.
WHILE YOU WAIT (a play with dance and performance art) by James Meneses
at the West 97th Theater
“Always exciting to see a Greenhouse show because you never know what to expect! Congratulations to the cast and crew of While You Wait on such an honest, vulnerable and sincere performance. Thank you for the courage to explore and share your intimate feelings about art, human relationships and the theater. Cannot wait to see it again in the future!”
– Di Zhu, Managing Director, The Russian Arts Theatre and Studio
On set with Margaret Reed, Judith Roberts and Ruya Koman
at the Greenhouse Ensemble's screening of "Lifestyle Content"
Reading of HERE IS GONE