About James
James Van Eaton is a former bookstore owner currently finishing his BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. The second of his four novels, Chasing Moonshine, was adapted for the stage by playwright Michelle Coder and had productions in Auburn and in Folsom with FreeFall. His own first, full-length play, Help Me, recently received a limited run by FreeFall Stage in Sacramento in October 2023. James’ short plays have been produced by both community theaters and community colleges. You can find his work in Fresh Words Magazine, The Sierra Journal, The Broken Clock Magazine, and others.
Which playwright are you most inspired by? And why?
That is a really tough question because I tend to fall in love with specific plays more than a playwright’s body of work, but if forced to choose, I’d go way back and say Euripides. I love his use of a grand, magical world as a backdrop for incredibly human stories, and he writes in heightened language of astonishing yet somehow relatable events. Also, his social commentary is just as meaningful as his character work.
There’s just so much to admire and study. I find myself trying to do a lot of that same thing on a much smaller scale.
Does being an actor impact the way you write? If so, how?
Very much so, in many positive ways. The most obvious benefit is that, when writing dialogue, it’s easier to know if it will sound believable on stage. I ask myself, “How would I deliver this line?” and if I have trouble with it, then it needs more work. But also, as an actor, you’re essentially doing a deep dive study of a play every time you get cast. It’s like taking a masterclass in storytelling and character building, assuming you do your homework.
Lastly, just being up there, breathing life into some dynamic, fictional world, makes you want to create one yourself. Passion can be a fantastic motivator.
What are your top 3 favorite plays ever?
Such a hard question. Why don’t I span some years and say Medea, Cyrano de Bergerac, and True West.
What are your top 3 favorite plays that you’ve been in?
An Ideal Husband, The Addams Family Musical, and She Has a Name.
BONUS
If you are interested in learning more about James, check out this interview from Courtney Symes at BroadwayWorld Sacramento!