Bio

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Stu James debuted as Benny, the landlord, in the Broadway Musical RENT in March 2000.  He toured with RENT for six months before his Broadway debut also. He has performed internationally as a lead singer at Gary’s Motown Sounds in Nagoya, Japan and had his own jazz trio Smooth for a short period while living in Atlanta, GA.   He has performed in regional theatre productions including:  Cotton Patch Gospel (Tim and Co.), Alliance Theatre Co., Once On This Island (Agwe), Dekalb Music Theatre, Ain’t Misbehavin (Andre/Ken US), Mark II Dinner Theatre, Let’s Talk About AIDS (Ricky Blaine and Co.), Alliance Theatre Co., Lynette Has Beautiful Skin (Larry), Barking Dog Theatre Co., and The Harvey Milk Show, (Wolf & Co.), Actors Express Theatre Co.   He has performed at Disney in Tarzan Rocks and Festival of the Lion King in Orlando, Fl. as well.  Television credits include:  All My Children, Savannah, The Cosby Show, Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kelly.   Film credits include School Daze, Star’s Models, Inc. and most recently Downtown: A Streettale with Genevieve Bujold Joey Dedio, Michael Wright and Kid Rock. 

Stu is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.  He graduated from Benjamin E. Mays High School and was a member of the Atlanta Boy Choir.  He remembers performing at the Fox Theatre in the Annual Christmas Concert with the choir.  He and his best friend, Jimmy Woodson, were the featured performers for a singing and tap dancing number.   He later graduated from Morehouse College (Magne Cum laude) with a degree in Finance.  While at Morehouse he was a member of the world-renown Morehouse College Glee Club (VP and Treasurer), Honor Roll Student, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the last Mr. Blue and White for Spelman College.   

Currently he studies acting at The Television and Film School with Julia Carey and Sally Johnson Studios. He studies voice with Bill Zeffiro and Dr. Gregory Hopkins in NYC. He is also writing and working on his own cabaret, T.B.A.

Stu is the fourth of  five children to his parents, Shirley and Wilson .  Siblings are named Billy, Tony, Chris and Joye.  They all live in Atlanta.  He has 8 nieces and nephews: Sheena, Tamia, Whitney, Wilson III, Tiffany, Mataya, Tony, Jr., and Ashley.  And four Godchildren named Daisy Ami, Revelaton, Stefanie and Stefan, Jr.  Stu gives big thanks and lots of love to his posse:  John, Adrienne, Maia, Vince, J. Karen, Kimberlee, Dr. B, Crystal, Miriam , Big Mama, Mom, Pop and all those friends and family that continue to show such unconditional love and support.   He thanks God for all of these people listed above for being lights and mirrors in his life.    He continues to thank God for growth and unlimited opportunities as well!!!

Stu’s philosophy of life is inspired by a quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, President Emeritus Morehouse College, “Whatever you do, do it so well that no man living, no man dead or no man yet to be born can do it any better”.   So in Stu’s own words, “Create and define yourself, always reach for the stars and never give up on your purpose and your truth.”