James Leyland studied English and Theatre History before training as an actor at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. For several years he worked as an actor, and wrote five plays prior to lecturing in Acting and Theatre History. After completing post-graduate study in Tertiary Teaching he has worked as an instructional designer, facilitator and agile coach. Since 2011, James has been Associate Director of Mezzanine Gallery, a not-for-profit association supporting emerging artists.