Spreading Joy
With the James Family / Photos by Kristina Armstrong
“Volunteering in general, and participating in theater specifically, teaches you to see that everyone can have something to offer. Trusting others, and being trusted in return, is a strong lesson.” – Steven James
As a homeschooling family with 10 children, extracurricular activities were unheard of by the James family until they found an organization where their creative expression could flourish.
It all started with a show at Chatta-nooga Theatre Centre (CTC). The experience, leaving them amazed and impressed, inspired a few of the James kids to step outside of their comfort zone. It was the perfect place for them to start volunteering their time, auditioning, entertaining, and working behind the scenes.
“With so many people in our family, it was not clear from the start that everyone would want to be involved,” Steven and Rebecca James share. “Seeing the joy and sense of belonging that it brought their siblings, it has been surprising to see some of our quieter children take part in performing on stage. We love that they’ve all found different parts of theater that they love and enjoy.”
Today, the James kids have been involved in about 13 shows at CTC since 2019. They enjoy a variety of responsibilities, always ready for a new challenge. From acting, singing, and dancing on stage to behind-the-scenes jobs like stage managing and working lights and sound, everyone works together as a team to make the final show something truly amazing.
Rebecca James explains that, even long before curtain call, life lessons are all around them. “The phrase most commonly associated with theater is ‘the show must go on,’” she says. “Learning to take whatever curveball comes your way and still follow through with the rest of a production is a skill that is universally applicable. Auditioning teaches another great lesson – each one is an opportunity to grow and learn even when you don’t get cast or get the part you wanted.”
Through every show – on and off stage – the James family has a passion for bringing joy to others and creating something bigger than themselves. “The kids have seen their audiences laugh, sob, gasp in shock, or cry tears of delight and joy,” says James. “Knowing that they can have that kind of impact is thrilling, empowering, and humbling!”