Photos by Bronwen Sharp
To the NYC PREMIERE of HEALING MINED
BIO:
James Manuel Meneses is a first generation Chilean Chinese American playwright, actor, and producer who is dedicated to developing bold, original works that amplify underrepresented voices and delve deep into the human experience. He’s beyond excited his play HEALING MINED will receive its world premiere at TheaterLab in spring 2025. Recently, he wrote the book and produced an industry reading of Here is Gone, a sci-fi Goo Goo Dolls Jukebox musical. James' plays Dream Fragmentation and While You Wait were produced and staged by the Greenhouse Ensemble in NYC, at the Bernie Wohl Center and Theater 97, respectively.
Before playwriting, James performed in over a dozen plays in New York City, including Sunshine Quest at the Wild Project and Second Seat, the Best Play Award winner at the New York Theater Festival. He also co-starred with Judith Roberts and Margaret Reed in the comedy short film Reunion, which screened at the ECU and Chelsea Film Festivals.
A proud member of the Dramatists Guild, James is currently a lyricist in Michael Radi’s Musical Theatre Writer's Workshop, and was previously a member of the Indie theater group Greenhouse Ensemble, as well as Next Stage: A mentorship program led by Tony-award winning producer Ken Davenport.
James studied playwriting at HB Studio under the guidance of Julie McKee, trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Conservatory program, and holds a B.S. in Architectural Technology from Alfred State College.
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SHOWTIMES at THEATERLAB
357 West 36th Street, New York, NY
THURSDAY APRIL 24TH @ 7:30PM
FRIDAY APRIL 25TH @ 3:00PM
FRIDAY APRIL 25TH @ 7:30PM
SATURDAY APRIL 26TH @ 3:00PM
SATURDAY APRIL 26TH @ 7:30PM
SUNDAY APRIL 27TH @ 3:00PM
Industry Reading Presentation of HERE IS GONE a Goo Goo Dolls Musical (March 7th 2024)
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.
"LET LOVE IN"
SITZPROBE REHEARSAL
"FEARLESS"
"MIRACLE PILL"
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.
HEALING MINED: NYC PREMIERE SET FOR APRIL 24-27 at THEATERLAB:
"HEALING MINED" After the death of his wife, Gonzalo—a middle-aged father —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 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.
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.
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, with Daniella Caggiano and Kaelin Elizabeth