THIS WONDERFUL LIFE BACKSTAGE GUIDE 5 James Leaming is a Founding Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. His credits at American Blues Theater include Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Native Son, Tobacco Road, The Hairy Ape, Two Rooms, Bad Moon, A Lie Of The Mind, Catch 22, American Dead, and On The Waterfront. He was also the original “George Bailey” in American Blues Theater’s annual It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! When asked what was his biggest fear playing the iconic character of “George Bailey” in that production, Jim answered “Capra serves a parable of hope for the good person; it's scary to be honored with the telling. Being true to the spirit of the character and serving the story and not allowing myself to be overwhelmed or distracted by a desire to ‘be worthy’ of the icon. This is a love story. We change the world where we touch it.” Jim has performed This Wonderful Life across the country, including North Coast Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Cleveland Play House, Syracuse Stage, and Asolo Repertory Theatre. His regional theater credits include the world premiere of Broke at Alliance Theatre; 9 seasons at Peninsula Players in Door County, WI (A Few Good Men, Cherry Orchard, Foreigner, and A Man For All Seasons); and Asolo Repertory Theatre (Devil’s Disciple, Winter’s Tale, and Inventing Van Gogh). In Chicago he has worked for Steppenwolf, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Goodman, Drury Lane, Body Politic, Fox Theatricals, and with Canamac Productions in Botanic Garden with his wife Carmen Roman, directed by Olympia Dukakis. He has trained at American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco) and Second City (Chicago). His awards include After Dark Award (Best Actor for The Man Who Fell In Love With The Moon); Sarasota Magazine Award (Best Actor and Best Show for This Wonderful Life); and a Joseph Jefferson Award for the scenic design of Tobacco Road (American Blues Theater). His film & television credits include Mind Games, Prison Break, Early Edition, Running Scared, Code Of Silence, and numerous commercials and voice-overs. ABOUT THE ACTOR JAMES LEAMING Actor Jim Leaming performing This Wonderful Life Director Carmen Roman and Actor Jim Leaming at the 2010 Joseph Jefferson Awards