James Chapman – Artistic Director

James is an actor, writer, director and producer born and bred in Newcastle. He has worked as a professional performer for a decade and has appeared in numerous projects on stage and screen. He holds an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting) and has worked as a workshop facilitator with several well-known drama schools in Newcastle including Hunter Drama, Young People’s Theatre, Tantrum Youth Arts and Aspire. An award-winning theatremaker, James has won awards for acting (TREVOR), writing (NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR CAT), and producing (SUICIDE INCORPORATED). In 2015 James founded the award-winning theatre company Knock And Run Theatre. James joined Hunter Drama as a tutor in 2020 and has been the company’s Program Director since 2021.

James has recently appeared on stage in BILLY ELLIOT (The Very Popular Theatre Company), BANGING DENMARK (The Very Popular Theatre Company), IDEATION (Knock And Run Theatre), TREVOR (Knock And Run Theatre), THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE (Very Popular Theatre Company), OLIVER (Hunter Drama), MAMMA MIA (Very Popular Theatre Company) and CIRCUMFERENCE OF A SQUIRREL (Knock And Run Theatre).

Additionally, he has also directed THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and MADAGASCAR JR all for Hunter Drama