Douglas James is a versatile actor celebrated for his ability to bring depth and authenticity to every role. Currently earning his M.F.A. from the University of Houston’s Professional Actor Training Program, Douglas has built a career that spans classical, contemporary, and musical theatre.
Notable performances include Brutus in Julius Caesar, Alex More in Buyer & Cellar (performed in three productions), and George Deever in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. With a particular passion for representing LGBTQ+ voices on stage and screen, Douglas’ work in these narratives shines particularly bright in productions like Buyer & Cellar, where he explored identity and connection, and Psycho Beach Party, where he fully embraced queer humor and camp. In musical theatre, he’s taken on diverse roles such as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!, Action in West Side Story, and Jervis in Daddy Long Legs.
A fierce advocate for complex and inclusive storytelling, Douglas seeks to break stereotypes and bring fresh, multi-dimensional characters to life. Paired with his technical skills—including stage combat certifications, dialect versatility, and a wide vocal range—Douglas consistently delivers captivating performances that inspire and connect audiences.
“…[Atkins] looks like a young Dick van Dyke but sounds like a toned-down Jerry Lewis…”
NEWS
GEORG Nowack in “SHE LOVES ME”
Georg Nowack in Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock’s golden age masterpiece, She Loves Me. The show runs at the Moores Opera House April 10-13, 2025. Directed by Molly Wetzel. Choreography by Travis Prokop. Conducted by Jonathan Craft.
George Deever in “All My Sons”
George Deever in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. It runs in Studio 208 at the University of Houston’s School of Theatre and Dance January 11-12, 2025. Directed by Jack Young.
Cousin in Everybody
Joining the cast of Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ Everybody, running in the Quintero Theatre at the University of Houston’s School of Theatre and Dance November 1-10, 2024. Directed by José Zayas.
PRESS
BUYER & CELLAR
“James bounds across the stage, using a combination of storytelling, facial dynamism and a dancer-like nimbleness of the body to keep our attention.”
--Wei-Huan Chen, Houston Chronicle
“His ability to flow seamlessly from Alex to his boyfriend Barry to his boss to Babs herself is a dizzying delight.”
--Holly Beretto, Houstonia Magazine
“This being a one man show, we spend the whole time with Douglas… …He has the energy to stay manic the whole time and his delivery is drop dead funny. James is easy on the eyes, and it's not hard to see why Barbra Streisand would be enchanted with him as an employee. He nails the jokes as well as he nails the impressions. But also, Douglas is skilled enough as an actor to reveal something even deeper than just an incredible tale about an unbelievable basement.”
--Brett Cullum, BroadwayWorld
HELLO, DOLLY!
“Douglas James gives a bright cornpone performance as Horace’s chief clerk Cornelius Hackl who, at 31, is yearning for his first kiss. James plays Cornelius as a sweet innocent rather than as a rube and it’s a good choice. He has a couple of fine musical moments with “Elegance” and, especially, the romantic “It Only Takes a Moment.”
--Hugh Gallagher, Arts Around Ann Arbor
“James, who channels his inner Jerry Lewis on several occasions… …is perfectly satisfying to view as the hip Cornelius. [He] bounces around with the feel of someone eager to please, and his counterpart played by Cole Thompson keeps you smiling from ear to ear.”
--The Only Critic
PSYCHO BEACH PARTY
“As Chicklet, James is goofier than a puppy, all feet, gangly legs and flat chest. As Ann, he morphs into a fierce temptress who could make RuPaul roll over and beg.”
--Claire Martin, The Denver Post
“James does a tour de force performance that puts the “psycho” in Psycho Beach Party.”
--Bill Wheeler, Theatre Colorado
THE HIDING PLACE
“Standouts are Douglas James as Hitler Youth turned Nazi Camp Director, Otto. Originally an apprentice in the ten Boom shop, Otto stands in for much of the evil in the story and James makes our skin crawl with his darkness.”
--Jessica Goldman, Houston Press
“While James has been seen on several of Houston's stages in past seasons, I believe his performance in this acting-heavy and emotionally layered role defines him as a major player in the theatre scene.”
--Audrey Morabito, BroadwayWorld
BYE BYE BIRDIE
“Douglas James leads the show as Albert. At first, [he] plays the character as a weakling, unable to stand up to his mother, a bit frantic trying to handle Conrad and bumbling his relationship with Rosie. As the play progresses, James transforms the character, giving Albert a fantastic backbone.”
--Christina Perryman, Daily Times
“Albert Peterson’s [Douglas James’] characterization birthed images of not only Dick Van Dyke but also Ray Bolger (Scarecrow in Oz); the gangly movements, the rubbery fluidity and that peculiar dance style that begs the question, 'does this guy have any skeletal mass'?”
--Dover Post
CABARET
“At the heart of these transitions is the enchanting and charismatic Emcee (Douglas James), who welcomes the audience to the show and guides us along the journey. James is simply magnetic. He capably dishes out the ample humor in heavy doses with a great sense of comic timing and also reveals a darker side as the musical progresses.”
--Stage Magazine