James Yaegashi

Born in Yokohama and raised in rural Yamagata, Japan, he developed an interest in the arts through his upbringing. After high school, he pursued higher education, earning a BA in literature from Wheaton College and an MFA in acting and directing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. As a multifaceted performer, he works as an actor, director, translator, and writer, with notable roles on Broadway, including those in Sarah Ruhl's The Oldest Boy and Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out. His credits also extend to world-premiere stage adaptations of literary classics and original productions, such as his direction of My Friend Has Come for the Asian American Writers Workshop. Additionally, he has collaborated with various international artists and holds black belts in judo and aikido.