James Ricks – Artistic Director

James has worked professionally in New York City, Washington, DC and Richmond for the last 15 years as an actor, director and teacher.  He has also worked regionally and internationally, performing at such venues as: The Shakespeare Theatre, The Kennedy Centre, The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, The Clemson Shakespeare Festival and The Globe Theatre in Neuss, Germany.  He has appeared in dozens of national and regional commercials, as well as several short films and industrials.  In Richmond, James has appeared on the Barksdale stage and with Richmond Shakespeare, for whom he has also directed. During his time with Henley Street, he has directed such innovative productions as Richard III, A Servant of Two Masters, The Winter’s Tale, Waiting For Godot and Henley Street’s popular Bootleg Shakespeare series. James holds an MFA from the Shakespeare Theatre’s Academy of Classical Acting in Washington DC and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Oklahoma’s conservatory program.  James is a member of Actor’s Equity Association, The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Society of American Fight Directors.

Jacqueline O’Connor – Managing Director

Jacqueline moved to Richmond from her home state of New York in 1989 to begin touring with Theatre IV.  In addition to her position as Managing Director for Henley Street Theatre, Jacqueline has worked in the Richmond theatre community as an actress, director, stage manager and teacher.  In 1992 she was hired by Barksdale Theatre as Box Office Manager and was promoted to Business Manager in 1994.  She remained in this position until 1996, where she oversaw Barksdale’s move to their new theatre space at Willow Lawn.  She also worked from 1992 to 2006 as a freelance acting teacher at The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond (SPARC), teaching over 1,600 students of every age level. Many of her students have become stage professionals, including a Golden Ticket winner on American Idol. Jacqueline has served on the board of Swift Creek Mill Playhouse and worked with the Richmond arts organization, OPUS.  Jacqueline is proud to be a founding member of Henley Street Theatre Company and holds a B.A. from Shenandoah Conservatory’s Theatre Arts Program.