Stage Actor. Spoken Word Artist. Theatre Director. Street Performer. Sociologist. Activist. Soldier. Father.
My alter-ego is Ray Sprague. Ray is my darker, yet more confident half. Will James stammers & has problems with speaking. Ray Sprague is the voice in the back of my head that has no filter. Ray remembers growing up in The Bottoms. Ray also remembers the theatre of life meeting the theatre of war experienced in Afghanistan & Iraq….
I love creating works that are a commentary of social issues that have plagued mankind for centuries. Through the utilization of classical theatrical staging, black box theatre, & street theatre, combines with minimal yet unique set designs, my goal is to present a story to a diverse audience that sparks a conversation not just during the play, but well after.

 

RESUME

PhD-Sociology w/a focus on Race & Religion, Syracuse University
MA-Theatre w/a focus on Direction, Syracuse University

LEAD ORGANIZER FOR PROTESTS AGAINST THE CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN FRONT OF THE CADDO PARISH COURTHOUSE (2017 to present).

UPCOMING PROJECTS (CURRENTLY ON HALT DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC)
“iN PLaiN SiGHT: PaRT ii”
Open air performing arts events speaking on how the actions of racism/discrimination/financial abuse in the past can have influence upon the community of today & tomorrow.
Kurated by Will James
Kreated by Will James Komposed by Will James

“LeDBeTTeR HeiGHTS BLueS” (2020)
written by Will James
Filmed by Ray Sprague
Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Choreographed by Will James
Musical accompaniment composed by Will James
Costumes by Will James

“PTSD BLueS” (2020)
written by Will James
Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Choreographed by Will James
Musical accompaniment composed by Will James
Costumes by Will James

“BoTToM Bo(y) BLueS” (2020)
written by Will James
Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Choreographed by Will James
Musical accompaniment composed by Will James
Costumes by Will James

“The Piano Lesson” (2020)
written by August Wilson
Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Choreographed by Will James
Musical accompaniment composed by Will James
Costumes by Will James

“Master Harold” …and the Boys (2020)
written by Athol Fugard
Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Choreographed by Tianna Andrews
Musical accompaniment composed by Will James
Costumes by Will James

MOST RECENT PROJECTS
Critical Mass 8 Submission (2020)
“HEARTLESS” Written by Ray Sprague
Performed by Will James
A memory play that recounts a grieving father’s letter to his daughter that recaps how his role as a victim of domestic violence affected his long-term outlook on love.

January 2020
Shreveport Regional Arts Council Rostered Artist & Administrator serving the NWLA and surrounding regions.

November 9th, 2019
“LEST WE FORGET: PaRT 2”, Shreveport, LA
Held in front of the Caddo Parish Courthouse at 501 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, this performance art rally served as a counter protest to supporters of the Confederate memorial that currently resides front & center of the court house. By utilizing various characters from throughout literary history as well as some of the director’s creation, combined with songs that speak out against discrimination & divisiveness. Performed by Ray Sprague, Cherie G. The Prototype, & Ophy James. Kreatively directed by Willie James.

October 2019
“No More….”
Directed by Will James, “No More….” is an open mic event created & directed by Will James that allows survivors & their inner circle the moment to share their moment of overcoming & reclaiming their physical, emotional, & spiritual independence from domestic violence & sexual assault.

October 2019
Aseana Foundation’s 2019 Autumn Festival
Featuring dancers, vocalists, and dancers from a multitude of Asian Cultures.
Technically directed by Will James

August 2019
LGA’s 2019 Gritonian Music & Dance Fete Technical
Director of indoor & outdoor staging areas “Ray Sprague” in ‘Angola Emancipation’
Bossier Arts Council’s Eastbank Plaza

June 2019
“Bad Guy” short film
directed by Jus’Marvin Smith & shot by Whitney Janay
Role of “Dad” Shreveport, LA

June 2019
“This One’s For You”
Directed by Oba Shango & David Dunn
Technical Director for Central ArtStation Location
Role of special forces ranger

June 2019
LightHouse Ensemble Productions Presents: “The Ledbetter Heights Chronicles”
written by Will James Creative
Auditions Directed by Will James

2019
“POETRY HOUSE PRESENTS: Notebook Assassins
Independent Contractor Design lighting & sound for various spoken word sessions/performances
Technical, Blocking, & Movement Director
STEM Lunches & Events
1513 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101
2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month

2019
“Inside the Inner Circle” cross-art project
Minicine 846 Texas Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101
“Inside the Inner Circle” cross-art project (2020) Creatively Directed by Will James
Technical Director – Will James
Video provided by Chris Brown
Choreographed by Will James
Musical accompaniment composed by Michael Futreal
Costumes by Will James
Director/Actor/Playwright
In this exhibition, join Will James as he works on the final chapter of his play-series, “The Ledbetter Heights Chronicles”. In a rare moment of full transparency, the playwright will leave himself open to any questions that the viewing public may have. The playwright will also talk about what influences his directing & writing style when it comes to theatre & some things that allow / prohibit him in his quest for artistic & personal growth.

“DOWNTOWN ARTWALK SERIES”
Street Theatre (2017 -present)
Performed & directed several monologues for 10-minute scenes that focus on various points of social issues (ie: race, religion, interpersonal, familial, etc.). Examples include a re-creation of Shylock Monologues for the B’nai Zion Temple (from Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”), Eugene’s Dad (from Dael Orlandersmith’s “YELLOWMAN”), & PTSD BLueS (written by Will James, AKA, Ray Sprague).

“YELLOWMAN”
written by Dael Orlandersmith
June 28-29, 2019
Shreveport, LA
Creative Director-Will James
Choreographer-Will James
Technical Director-Will James
Composer-Will James (Grandpa Eugene’s Blues)

Shreveport Regional Arts Council Critical Mass 7 Performing Arts Submission: “PTSD BLueS”
(actor/director) by Will James – 2019
(top 5 finalist)

2018
LightHouse Ensemble Theatre
Shreveport, LA
Founder / Creative Director

2018
“Momma’s District”
Eastbank Theatre
Bossier City, Louisiana
written by Shana Re’Nay Rogers
multiple roles (Police officer, technical director)

2018
“LYSISTRATA”
written by Aristophanes
(technical director/actor”Kinesias”)
Performed in Shreveport, LA – Montgomery, AL – New Orleans, LA – Chicago, IL

2011-2018
Armed Forces Entertainment “Theatre of War” (Actor, staged readings) various characters
2018 Savannah, GA – Syracuse, NY – Seoul, South Korea – Ramstein, Germany – Doha City, Kuwait

WEBSITE
https://www.nwlaartists.org/members/raysprague/
CONTACT EMAIL
[email protected]
CONTACT PHONE
+1(718)414-5381