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annjamesreal

@annjamesreal

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Intimacy Coordinator, Sensitivity Specialist, Consent Advocate

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On September 26th, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, brought together LGBTQ+ advocates and activists from across the country for its annual National Dinner at the Washington Hilton.

At this year’s event, HRC honored Academy-Award winning actress and ally Marcia Gay Harden as well as legendary LGBTQ+ icons André De Shields and Junior LaBeija.
It was a marvelous @catsjellicleball reunion.

André received HRC’s Legendary Visibility Award, presented by Tony Award winning costume Designer Qween Jean, for his deeply impactful work expanding visibility on critical LGBTQ+ issues, permanently shaping the culture and legacy of the LGBTQ+ community and closed out the evening with “Believe in Yourself.”Tempress “Chastity” Moore performed Memory, accompanied by Musical Director William Waldrop. Sean Coleman, Founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow presented Junior LaBeija with his HRC Legendary Visibility Award.

Harden received the Ally for Equality award, presented by actress and ally Camryn Manheim, for being an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ+ community and using her platform to advocate for equality. #hrcnationaldinner #andredeshields

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We are honored to be joined by an extraordinary group of Honorary Co-Chairs for Black Theatre United's 4th Annual Gala.

@annjamesreal @thedaniellebrooks @yesitsezraezzard @joshgroban @k_jeanpierre @karaakter @michaeloloyede_ @mrfitz_ @qween_jean @broadwaydick

Together, they stand with us as we take on this year's theme: Work to Do. Monday, October 5, 2026 Ziegfeld Ballroom, NYC Tickets + details at the link in bio

#blacktheatreunited #btu #btuannualgala #worktodo #btugala2026

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One conversation can completely change the way you think about this industry.

When we sat down with Ann James, we didn’t just talk about intimacy coordination or sensitivity practice, but we talked how she cares for artists while they’re creating.

One thing I admire most about Ann is that she reminds us that making meaningful work and protecting the people making it are never at odds with each other!

I hope something she says stays with you long after you’ve finished watching.
If it does, tell me what resonated most below. 💛

@keel_b @taylorimanjones @carlyhughesmua

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A goal of mine with my work is to shine a light on careers in our industry that many artists know exist, but rarely get the chance to truly understand.

Ann James is an Intimacy Coordinator, Sensitivity Specialist, educator, and advocate whose work is centered around helping artists create from a place of emotional intelligence, consent, and care.
In our conversation, we talked about what it means to create safer creative spaces, why sensitivity practice matters, the legacy she hopes to leave behind, and her advice for every artist trying to build a meaningful career.

Ann also has her own Sensitivity Specialist Cohort Program, where she trains artists and professionals to bring these practices into rehearsal rooms, productions, classrooms, and creative spaces. It’s another reminder that there are so many ways to build a career in this industry beyond the paths we most often hear about.

In collab with @taylorimanjones, @keel_b and @carlyhughesmua

If something Ann shared resonated with you, let us know below. ✨

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The Tony’s!!! What an experience. Thrilled to cheer on @catsjellicleball and the artists who were rightfully recognized for their incredible work. The Jellicles lit the room on fire 🔥🔥🔥🪭
hot date @emmaorme

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On June 1, New 42 held their annual gala at the Plaza Hotel honoring André De Shields, Mary Rose Lloyd and Sarah Long.
The evening was hosted by Oh Mary! star Cheyenne Jackson and included welcome remarks from New 42 President and CEO Russell Granet and New 42 Board Chairman Henry Tisch.

CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL star “Tempress” Chasity Moore sang “Memory,” accompanied by Music Director William Waldrop,

Victoria Rosner, Dean of The Gallatin School at NYU, presented the inaugural New 42 Ovation Award to Tony, Grammy and Emmy winning Broadway icon André De Shields, who has brought his singular artistry to rehearsals and performances at New 42Studios and has been a lifelong advocate for arts education and access. De Shields is currently starring as Old Deuteronomy in the critically acclaimed and radically reimagined revival of CATS: The Jellicle at The Broadhurst and has been nominated for his fourth Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

André was joined by his CATS: The Jellicle Ball family, Co-Director Bill Rauch, Music Director William Waldrop, “Tempress” Chasity Moore, who plays Grizabella, and Intimacy Coordinator Ann James. His table also included NYU Gallatin School Dean Victoria Rosner and her husband, Eric Goldsmith, Faith Childs, Robert Weil, Vincent Parham, Lisa Cortes, Lia Chang, and Michael Hormel, who contributed the first $25,000 during the paddle raise.

Also in attendance – Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, Executive Director of TDF Deeksha Gaur and her husband, Joe Slaughter, Two-time Drama Desk nominee Maria-Christina Oliveras, who can currently be seen in THE BALUSTERS at the Samuel J. Friedman, Harriett D. Foy, Linda Powell, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’s Andrew Durand and Olivia Puckett, LIBERATION stars Irene Sofia Lucio and Betsy Aidem.

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@andre_deshields . . . and Ann James, Intimacy Consultant at CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

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We wrapped up another year of the @crrscholarship Program last weekend with our annual NYC summit. And it was full of magic and joy and love and growth! ✨🙏🏾

As our community continues to grow, we are proud of the space that we have created, the work that is being done and of course our scholars who inspire us to dig deeper and keep going. Our scholars continue to prove that they can open doors for themselves while also leading with kindness and integrity and being agents of change in the theatre world. We are so proud of them.

Thank you to everyone who poured into these students over the semester and to everyone who continues to support our program. The work is not easy, but we are thrilled to be doing it. Thank you.

And congrats to this year’s scholars! @andres.agustin04 @v_alz0 @anicaacuna @httpkaitlyn.dorsey @dariusevans_ @106ndparker @sary.rebeca @cianonjones @allegedlygavin @mariaha.ray 👏🏾

Information on the next cycle will be available in the Fall.
crrscholarship.com

Photos by @gcope.nyc
@blacktheatrecoalition 🤝🏾

#theatre #broadway #community #crrscholarship #nyc

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Nothing brings me more joy than days like today…

Collaborating on this fresh new musical with my incredible colleagues— @iamkennyleon @fatima_noir @alanthemusical @michaelweinermusic @thomaspatricklennon @trippnyc1— is truly a gift from the gods!!! It was a great joy reuniting with this stunning team of artists, actors, musicians, producers, and crew.

Until next time: Looking good. Feeling good, friends.

A Filthy Rich New Comedy- TRADING PLACES: The Musical by @alanthemusical @michaelweinermusic & @thomaspatricklennon

Music Supervisor/ Conductor/ Keys: ME!
Director: @iamkennyleon
Choreographer: fatima_noir (choreographer)

Produced by @marcmadnick
Starring: @thebrycecapades @ephsykes @carriestlouis @josh.lamon @marckudisch @lennywolpe @hennihennisanchez @markevansactor and our brilliant 12-member ensemble (including two of my fave @cmudrama alums @laughtonroyce & @aaygirl1947, with @kayceeswierc as our directing observer).

So grateful for this team of artists and especially our amazing music team:
Orchestrator | @august_i_eriksmoen
Associate MD | @jonpowerfeld
Copyists | @thefjeld @josie_bearden
Score Manager/ Music Assistant | @mannyvida ...and TWELVE of Broadway’s finest musicians

#lookinggoodfeelinggood #broadway #newmusical #musicsupervisor conductor

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@backstagepasswithliachang @andre_deshields celebrated the opening of @catsjellicleball @thepiersixtycollection with Betty Buckley, @annjamesreal @stinacocch @drewwutke @maclovic @realleadelaria @allengilmore32 @jeremypope @kevinmccollum @qween_jean @jamiederoy @zhailon #billrauch @thekennethard @basiltwist3 @bretadamsacting #kenmelamed #zachmarlin @ebradyrobinson @sibylsantiago @tomdangora @michaeldangora @sydneyharcourt @rhwuzhere @alanhgreen @adriennelwarren @_robertsilkmason_ @todrickhall85 @emmasofiaokay @kendallstroud @omari_wiles @arturo_thaengineer @jharrisonghee @therealkecialewis @i_am_tempress @teddywilsonjr. 📷📹@liachangphotography @ebradyrobinson

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For the final opening of the 25-26, we are proud to open @proofbroadway at the Booth Theatre. This show is absolutely incredible and we are so so proud to be on Team Proof.

Thank you to @mikebosner, @mirandousha, and Andy jones for including the @origin.story.productions team on this project. Congrats to our partners @ankita1013 @natasha.davison59 , @tisahibbs , @seannyberg , @p_d_22 , @thropp216 and Jeffrey Soros!

📸: @kamerashoots.nyc

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It's giving Jellicle Ball!🪩🐱

Through a partnership with Cats: The Jellicle Ball and TDF, we had the amazing opportunity to take our youth, board, and artists to Cats on Broadway. This groundbreaking musical puts ballroom culture and trans and queer people of color front and center, revolutionizing representation and musical storytelling on the biggest stage. Fans were clacked and a time was had! Special thanks and shout-out to Hetrick-Martin Institute for joining us, TDF for the tickets, and former NQT actor and Collective member Cooper Howell (Cats' Associate AD) for the youth Directing Workshop!

@hetrickmartin @tdfnyc @catsjellicleball

#cats #nyc #nationalqueertheater #nqt #broadway #directing #audience #queertheater #queerjoy #transjoy #queer #lgbt #education #youth #empowerment

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