jmichael.mchale@gmail.com | Actors Access

Hi, I’m James

I’m an actor, director, writer, and musician based in Southern California. I am also a Resident Artist and the Literary Manager at the award winning Chance Theater, where I recently directed Sweeney Todd which was just nominated for 10 Orange County Theatre Guild Awards this Spring including Best Direction and Best Musical! I also directed the OC Premiere of Green Day’s American Idiot which won 6 OC Theatre Guild Awards including Best Direction - check out the trailer, pics, and reviews here.

As an actor, I play a recurring role in the upcoming season of the hit TV show For All Mankind from AppleTV & Sony Pictures, played a leading role in a WWII feature film shot at the end of 2024, and played a leading role in the film FATHOM, which was selected to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. In live theater, I had the pleasure to work with Tony Award winning director Kathleen Marshall at The Old Globe, play Hamlet at the Lyceum Theater, play Buzz Aldrin in the World Premiere and National Tour of APOLLO 11, and have performed in multiple productions of the musical Once.

I am a little obsessed with my rescue pups Lucy-Lou and Guinness, and my two cats Midge Maisel and Charles Peter the Biscuit Baker. When not working or getting cuddles from my pets, you’ll probably find me hiking, exploring landscape photography, or enjoying a “bougie” beverage. Check out my Reels and Resume to discover more about my work. Thank you for visiting!