Earlier this year, we were assigned a task for Sessions 2024: to write a blog post about the original "OG" group of Bridgees from TheatreiNQ. I was super excited when Terri assigned me to interview James Thomasson. I had heard so many stories and wonderful things about "JT", who got his loving nickname from his mentors, Terri and Brendan, during his Bridge days at TheatreiNQ. And no, it had nothing to do with a certain famous footballer from the region, it was due to the fact that there were two James' at the time and everyone at TheatreiNQ knows that means neither gets to be called James. (The other James at the time was James Raggatt who is known at TheatreiNQ simply as "Raggatt") JT has been incredibly lovely in this process and spoke very fondly of his time in Townsville and TheatreiNQ.
JT grew up on a farm in Rolling Stone and moved to Townsville during middle school. Ever since he can remember, he always wanted to be an actor. When he was in grade 10, his English teacher, Peter Stumer, recognised his love for the performing arts and sent him an email to audition for the role of Richmond in TheatreiNQ’s production of RICHARD III. Although, JT did a quite memorable spot-on Ian McKellen impersonation of his "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" speech from Macbeth, he wasn't chosen for the role (which incidentely went to the other 'James') However, Terri & Brendan saw something in him and involved him in the show as a member of the ensemble playing roles such as Murderer Number 1. He fell in love with acting in that production and he has never looked back. Acting is the only thing he’s ever wanted to do and his undeniable passion has helped him achieve more than he could ever imagine.
After RICHARD III, JT was invited back for Shakespeare Under the Stars the following year, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. In 2012, Terri & Brendan began The Bridge Project and JT became one of the first 'Bridgees'. He remained in the project for four years, eventually being awarded the Martin Gibson Medal in 2013 and becoming one of the first every Company Apprentices in 2014
James with Syd Brisbane in rehearsals for ROMEO AND JULIET in 2014.
Photo by Sonia Warrell
The three TheatreiNQ shows that pushed JT as an actor, were ROMEO AND JULIET (2014), PRIVATE GINGER MICK (2015), and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (2015). These were all quite different roles for JT, and forced him to experiment with multiple unfamiliar styles and techniques. JT really appreciates having grown up in Townsville and the opportunities the plethora of different arts in Townsville provided him. He is very proud to come from a community that is so supportive in seeing people grow and wanting them to become the best they can be.
JT found a reason and love for acting because of his mentors at TheatreiNQ. Terri and Brendan helped him discover his hidden talents and tricks, while also constantly pushing him to grow and become the best actor he could be. "They will support and encourage you to blossom into a wonderful actor because they are putting you and your range of talent into their own shows that they are producing themselves. So, they have a standard and want the show as a whole to look good." he said.
James with Brendan O'Connor & Terri Brabon during the season of OTHELLO in 2019.
Leaving Townsville to further his acting education at WAAPA, JT was worried that he would feel disconnected from the friends he had made at TheatreiNQ. Luckily, Brittany Santariga, another OG Bridgee, who was like a sister to JT, was in her third year at WAAPA when JT moved to Perth to start his first year. After graduating from WAAPA, JT scored a two year acting contract with the theatre company, Poetry in Action, touring around Australia. He continues his work with the company and coincidently, directed for them earlier this year including directing another Bridge Project alumni - Gemma Shield - who joined the touring team for 2024.
Outside of acting or directing work, JT followed his mentor Brendan's O'Connor's advice and says "For better or worse, I make a conscious decision to never work anywhere that doesn't have a stage, a film camera or a microphone. And i've been very fortunate to have been able to pick up creative adjacent jobs in between acting gigs."
James Thomasson in GINGER MICK AT GALLIPOLI (2014)
Photo by Sonia Warrell
When Covid hit and JT's touring plans were halted, Terri & Brendan began "The Covid Sessions" - an extension of the Bridge training via Zoom. Going back and being in “sessions” again allowed him to reconnect with his fellow bridgees. Terri, rather sneakily, assigned them to do a self-tape using the monologues from ORPHANS by Dennis Kelly. Unbeknownst to them, she was forging the foundation for their own company. A short while after, Terri officially reached out to JT & Brittany and fellow Bridge Alumni and WAAPA Graduate Lachlan Stevenson, with a proposal. To celebrate the Bridge Project’s 10th year, she would direct a production of ORPHANS with them, whilst also mentoring them to establish and run their own independent company. This was TheatreiNQ’s gift to the OG wolf pack - to give them the start of something they could call their own. So JT, Lachlan and Brittany formed ‘Stacks on Theatre’ down in Sydney. And their gift back to TheatreiNQ was the committment to helping Brendan fit-out our new venue in Cottell Street - The ClubHouse. They all put their blood, sweat and tears into making the clubhouse what it is today.
James Thomasson, Brittany Santariga & Lachlan Stevenson in ORPHANS (2022)
Photo by Chrissy Maguire
The experience of working on Orphans & on the ClubHouse gave the trio newfound expertise in transforming pop-up spaces that they continue to build on with Stacks On Theatre in Sydney. The company has produced 6 shows with many of them including other 'Bridge Kids' both on stage and off.
JT has achieved so much so far in his career and is determined to already do what he loves. He recently made his Bell Shakespeare debut in KING LEAR, alongside fellow Bridgees, Brittany Santariga and Emily Edwards who is the Resident Artist in Education at Bell. All three were membes of the first co-hort involved in "Sessions Training", the second and third year training for Bridge Project students and previously first performed together in TheatreiNQ's production of KING LEAR in 2012. He’s also had the privilege to work with Ben Crystal, the renowned co-writer of “Shakespeare’s Words, A Glossary & Language Companion.”
James Thomasson, Brittany Santariga & Emily Edwards (2024)
JT is satisfied, happy and proud with his life, his career and the friends he’s made along the way. One of the most heart-warming moments JT had was when Terri told him, “You're a kid from Rollingstone! You’ve already achieved more in your career than anyone would ever have expected; and nothing and no-one can take that from you. You're doing it, kid!” When JT told me this he added, “At the end of the day, it’s about your teachers being proud of you - that’s the greatest reward.”
JT had quite a bit of advice he wanted to share with the aspiring actors here in Townsville, but to keep it concise he gave three pieces of advice, “because all good advice comes in threes.” He advises to, “Find a mentor, get involved, be brave and fail gloriously.” And JT did finally get his chance to play Richmond in RICHARD III, when he returned home for TheatreiNQ's THE WARS OF THE ROSES trilogy in 2021. Life has a funny way of coming full-circle.
Nick Rose & James Thomasson in BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD - THE WARS OF THE ROSES TRILOGY (PART 3)
Photo by Chrissy Maguire.
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