James Kautz, a multifaceted artist of stage and film, has been praised by esteemed publications such as The New York Times and Time Out NY for his fearlessness and fiercely talented performances.
As the Founder of Red Seed Films, an independent film production company, James focuses on telling stories that explore themes of personal transformation, gender, and identity. The company's award-winning short films, written and directed by James, have been accepted into over 100 film festivals worldwide, including Oscar, BAFTA, and Canadian Film Award-qualifying festivals. Notable festivals include Raindance, deadCenter, and the Atlanta Film Festival.
In addition to his work in film, James is also the Founding Artistic Director of Off Broadway's critically acclaimed, award-winning company, The Amoralists. Under his leadership, The Amoralists produced 22 World and New York Premieres by celebrated playwrights such as Adam Rapp, Charly Evon Simpson, Ken Urban, and Emily Schwend.
As an actor, James has appeared in television shows on HBO and CBS, as well as in productions at Playwrights Horizons and Second Stage Theatre. He has also taught and directed at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School.
In his personal life, James is a martial arts enthusiast, holding a Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. He is also a practitioner of Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai, and has instructed children, teens, and adults in martial arts for many years.
