James Castle Stevens of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

James Castle Stevens shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning James Castle, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I have a dear friend, Paul Millet, who was one of the founders of Unbound Productions and their well-respected theatrical event WICKED LIT. He has previously gone down the path I am now daring to tread, and has been a wonderful resource in terms of his experience, generosity, and reassurance.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As the founder and Artistic Director of Theatricus, I’ve been dedicating my efforts to create a home for bold new voices in theatre. My background spans decades as an actor, theatre director and creative director, and Theatricus grew out of a desire to merge those experiences into a nonprofit collective that nurtures emerging work from the ground up. We champion new playwrights through programs like the VOX NOVA Playwright Festival, develop original productions, and build community-centered experiences that keep theatre accessible, adventurous, and deeply human. We selected our three finalists this past August. The VOX NOVA 2nd and 3rd Prize winners—LITTLE REDS by Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm and THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Jonathan Josephson—were recently presented in well-received live staged readings at the Lamanda Park Branch Library. The 1st Prize winner, THE HENRY CLYDE CANNING MURDER HOUSE by Christian Missonak, will receive a fully produced stage production next year (June 2026) at Moving Arts in Atwater Village.

In 2026, Theatricus produces a World Premiere production of the play STILL LIFE IN CENTRAL PARK at The MAIN in Santa Clarita (February 2026) and launches the 2nd annual VOX NOVA Playwright Festival (May 2026).

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe the bonds between people begin to break when selfishness takes priority and when we stop taking ownership of our impact on one another. Relationships fray in the absence of accountability… when we choose ego over empathy, or convenience over truth. But those same bonds can be rebuilt through earned trust and honest communication, especially when honesty is tempered with kindness. When we show up with humility, when we listen, and when our actions align with our words, we create the conditions for connection to be restored and strengthened.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self to be patient with the process and persistent in the pursuit. The things that matter most take time to grow, and the setbacks that feel like detours are often shaping you in ways you can’t yet see. Stay steady, stay curious, and trust that your tenacity will carry you exactly where you’re meant to go.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Mostly, though the public version of me is slightly better rested and remembers people’s names more consistently.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I usually know I’m out of my depth when I feel that familiar jolt of fear, the sense that I may have taken on more than I can reasonably manage. It’s unsettling, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But I’ve also learned that those moments, the ones that make me question my own capacity, are often the ones that lead to the most growth. Feeling scared doesn’t mean I’m failing; it means I’m stretching. And that’s usually a sign I’m exactly where I need to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theatricus.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatricuscollective

Image Credits
Actors in the shots from last year’s production of CONSTELLATIONS are Elisabeth Melcher and Alec Gaylord.

I took the photos so no further photo credit is needed.