Bailey James was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in church, ushering, conducting youth real spaces, praise dancing and singing in the choir, which was how she fell in love with the arts. Her first role was Lucille in “Junie B. Jones And the Little Monkey Business” at the Dallas Children’s Theater, arguably because she was the only black kid in the entire camp. Once arriving at UNCSA, she’s found more integrity and urgency in the work she did and began investing in her curiosity about creating her own.
She’s written, directed and starred in the following: “tbh:u cute,” “The Women of Colour Project” and “Sunday Morning,” which will be coming soon. Through each process, she’s found and owned her power as a black, femme storyteller and loves creating safe spaces where her casts and crews can embrace their power as well.
On a personal note, she loves learning new styles to do with her hair, traveling and spending time with her loved ones. She still continues to learn different art forms of dance – from African to pole fitness – incorporates gospel sounds in pop, R&B, and musical theatre styles, and will be playing Pete Watson in Pearl Cleage’s “Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous” directed by Krisha Marcano.