We were lucky to catch up with Bert James recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bert, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

For as long as I can remember. Growing up in Alabama in the middle of the country. Not really many other kids to play with, so I remember having to really dwell into my imagination. I used to create all of these worlds with superheroes and magical creatures to keep myself entertained. So even back, then, I knew that being able to play and act and perform was crucial.

Bert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Emerged from the south and began performing at a children’s theater about an hour and a half from where I grew up. My mother would drive me several times a week while I was in middle school. She always made so many sacrifices for me. In high school I was accepted to the Alabama school of fine arts where I attended for theater. It was a high school that you lived at and focused on your art as your primary education from there I moved to Atlanta where I performed in a few theaters. Clowning. Then in the late 90s I moved to New York. The drag for many years. I took about a 10 year break from performing and came back to 2017. Studying at upright citizens brigade, the Magnet and the pit comedy theaters. Performed on a few house and character teams. Took up sketch writing. And performed with several sketch teams throughout New York. Transitioned back into theater and on camera acting. Studied at the barrow Group, T Schreiber, studio and MN studios. Booked several commercials 2019-2021. Sign with a Managment company in 2021. Booked a guest star spot on Law And Order. Then begin focusing on my own work. Paired up with someone from my Acting Class who I had wonderful chemistry with. We wrote our own web series which did several festival circuits, won numerous awards and we shot a second season and just recently signed with a distributor and will begin shooting season three shortly.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When writing my partner and I sat out to make our own web series or something that was very important with to include all the insanely talented people that we meet through training and Acting classes. We also wanted to make sure that we are representing people who may not have the opportunity to have their voice as loud as they should. LGBTQ people of color, trans, and disabled performers.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

For the last 16 years, I’ve been a food tour guide. And there was a time where I thought that I wanted to host a Food Network style show. And I really buckle down to go that route. And while pursuing that particular route I realize that that was just not what I wanted. That was not the world for me. And I learned that it’s OK to pivot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Bertjamesyes.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/bertjamesyes
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/bertsnytours
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpeIwWHw_fVjWwBJqhvM7LRXyP5B3pRb&si=DAg-WCdS9iZzakD8