James Blackmon began his theatre career as a 12 year old kid playing a “General In The Ozian Army” in a local children’s theatre production of The Wizard Of Oz. Since then, James has played many roles in numerous productions, including, chorus parts in Showboat, Hello Dolly, Oliver, Peter Pan, Sweet Charity and Hairspray, “Cal” in The Little Foxes, “Vladimir” in Waiting For Godot, “Jim” in Huck Finn, “Crooks” in Of Mice And Men, “Asagai” in A Raisin In The Sun, “Neal Tilden,” and “Johnny Cantone” in The 1940’s Radio Hour and “Daddy Warbucks” in Annie. James has also directed both musicals and plays, including, Dreamgirls, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Annie, Steel Magnolias, Doubt: A Parable, The Lisbon Traviata, 12 Angry Women, Love Letters and Talking With, and music directed several musicals, including, Dreamgirls, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Annie and All Shook Up..
Also an accomplished professional musician (piano, vocals) James has been a working musician practically his entire life, having booked his first gig at 8 years old as the pianist of his church’s youth choir. Since then, James has played all across the country and the world both as the front man of several vocal groups in Alabama, New Orleans, Ohio and Hamburg, Germany, and as a solo artist for three years as a piano bar entertainer for Holland America Cruise Line. From 2007-2009 James was the co-owner and featured weekend performer at his Columbus, OH piano bar, James Club 88. In addition, James has recorded three CDs, and gigs regularly in piano bars and jazz clubs in Columbus.
James is also the immediate past president of the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable.
