Capturing Real Life Dramas: The Plays and Filmmaking of James Lantz
Table of Contents
Introduction
Early Career Background
Theater and Playwriting
Documentary Filmmaking
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Introduction
Award-winning director and playwright James Lantz recently joined Amber Live! to discuss his extensive career in theater and film. Over three decades, Lantz has created documentaries, plays, and shorts spotlighting real human stories.
Early Career Background
Lantz got his start in media hosting a country radio show as a teen. He later worked as a high school teacher where he was named Teacher of the Year.
These experiences helped Lantz appreciate the power of connecting with audiences through storytelling.
Theater and Playwriting
As a playwright, Lantz has had his original works produced internationally. His Off-Broadway play The Bus earned praise as "theater magic" for its LGBTQ themes.
His play American Machine tackled industrial decline in the Midwest. Lantz is renowned for crafting complex human narratives for the stage.
Documentary Filmmaking
More recently, Lantz has focused on documentary films examining current social issues. His short The Sign covered transgender rights and discrimination.
Lantz's latest film Vermont and the Bright Green Nothing explores a legal battle over trademarking a popular slogan. His documentaries intimately capture real people's struggles.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
After winning numerous festival awards for his dramatic short A Juddering, Lantz is developing a new script on challenges facing transgender youth.
He continues using film and theater to elevate overlooked human stories and create empathy. Lantz sees art as vital for building understanding.
Throughout his extensive directing and writing career, James Lantz has explored pressing social concerns through stage and screen. Whether telling fictional or real stories, he connects audiences to diverse perspectives. Lantz's emotionally resonant work provides a window into shared human experiences.
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
