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James returns to the Edge || Edge and Back interview with James Morgan Longshore


James Morgan Longshore is an actor, a published writer, a comedian, a dialogue coach, a multi-faceted person with “an itch to scratch”: acting has chosen him, as he stated and has been on a constant path of mastering this craft and many others. 

His story is inspirational, much like the story of the wanderer and ever-learning soul, in search of the perfect brew of words and magic. 



1.Superheroes movies have nowadays saturated the market and we see what many call a "superheroes movies fatigue". 

Have you ever considered auditioning for a superhero or a supervillain part? Who would be your favourite character: a superhero, an anti-hero or a villain?


Funny you should ask this. I grew up a huge comics fan and I even write a comic book series. I am always astonished that there are so many Marvel TV series and films and not a single role for me? I would love to audition for a superhero movie. I hope they don’t go out of style before I land one.

I would probably go for an anti-hero. They are more complex and fun roles to play than the straightforward superhero. 

However, chances are high I’d get cast as a villain, since people seem to think I have a bit of that crazy look in my eyes. I find myself playing bad guys more often than I expect. Which is fine, because you can let loose with no consequences. It’s a kind of wish fulfilment. 


2. What has been one of the most difficult auditions and which was the easiest one?


These days, I don’t audition much. I usually just get called in directly for the role. 

The auditions I do participate in are mostly self-tapes. Self-tapes are easier because you can be more relaxed, do as many takes as you want and select the best. The hard part is selecting the best! 

I’m not a big fan of self-tapes because I gain confidence in my performance from interacting with the casting director, who can answer my questions about the character and the scene and provide adjustments so I can show the Director what they want to see.

I would take live in person auditions back in a heartbeat! 


3. A real New Yorker in Romania. Would be it correct to assume that your giant leap “head first” into a totally different culture and lifestyle has to be one of the biggest decisions of your life? 


It was actually quite a lickety-split decision. I resolved to make the leap in November 2010. In December, I boarded a plane to Romania and never looked back! Well, I looked back but then I looked forward. 

When that kind of opportunity knocks, you have to answer because it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Growing up in New York City, the melting pot of the universe, definitely helped mitigate fear of the unknown and prepare me for what lay ahead.

I’m really glad I answered the call. It made me a wiser, more worldly, more cultured person. The only downside is that now I have a hard time relating to people who haven’t gotten out of their comfort zone and seen the world beyond their bubble.



4. Please share with us one good life lesson that your adoptive country, Romania, has taught you.


The life lesson I learned is the one I am attempting to transmit in my first novel, ‘Stage Fright’. It’s the story an American who wants to share his love for Romania, but when he tries to accomplish his goal on a Romanian reality show, he is met with nothing but opposition and ridicule. 

The lesson is we are all people, just in a different language. Motivated by the same emotions, despite cultural differences. We shouldn’t separate ourselves from each other based on artificial boundaries. 

Better to approach every experience with an open mind and appreciate that we all suffer from the universal human condition. Remember, a good joke goes a long way!


5. What was the triggering factor that made you write Stage Fright?


The need to take negative experiences and turn them into something positive, so the pain wasn’t for nothing.

Also, in the everyday world, people are afraid of conflict. Confronting their emotions, coming to terms with them and finding compromises. They would rather turn their back and hold grudges.

In the world of writing, I am free to explore difficult emotions without that obstacle. I can reach a resolution I may never achieve in real life. That, for me, is the ultimate wish fulfilment. 


The book "Stage Fright" is published in Romania, in English, by the Creator Publishing House and can be purchased on the Libris.ro website and other relevant websites. Founded in 2016 in Brașov, Creator Publishing House, originally named Libris Editorial, is part of the Libris Group of Companies, which has almost three decades of activity in the field of book and music distribution. 

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