James Thomas Cleveland

James Thomas Cleveland, 81, of Staten Island, New York, died on September 2, 2023, in Staten Island following a series of illnesses. Born in Muncie and raised in nearby New Castle, Indiana, Jim played football for all 4 years of high school. With his gregarious personality he excelled on the stage, where he won the award for Humorous Interpretation and acted in high school plays. He had an early and lifelong interest in civic activities and was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of New Castle. Jim went on to enjoy a lengthy career in theatre and performing arts as an actor, director and administrator in community, regional, professional and university level theatres. He was a political science graduate from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He furthered his studies at Ball State University and Michigan State University. Jim’s many theatrical roles ranged from leading men such as Colonel Brady in Inherit the Wind and Tesman in Hedda Gabler to the character roles of the amusing M. Cot in Hotel Paradiso and the hilarious T. Snout (the Wall) in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jim returned to Wittenberg in the late 60’s as a professor in the Theatre Department to teach acting and direct plays. He also co-sponsored and produced the first All-Night One-Act Festival of Plays at Wittenberg. These were short plays directed and performed by students from 7pm-6am in different locations in and around the theatre building with the audience moving from one to the next. A full breakfast was cooked and happily served to everyone who made it through the night. It was a full house! Jim was a natural at encouraging and training young people to listen carefully when onstage, to always be in focus with the action and most importantly, to enjoy their role, whatever it might be. Jim became a favorite with the students, many of whom went on to have their own theatre careers, including one student from New York, Carol Sansom. Some years later, Jim and Carol reconnected in Michigan. They married in 1975 and settled in Lansing, Michigan. Jim continued acting and directing at Boarshead Theatre, Okemos Theatre and Lansing Community College, where he joined their academic Theatre Program and in 1986 became the Director of the Theatre Program. He had the pleasure to perform (and sing!) the endearing Dolittle in My Fair Lady, and to direct the musicals Pirates of Penzance and Cabaret. After 10 busy arts years in Lansing, Jim and Carol returned to New York City, settling in nearby Jersey City, New Jersey. Jim took a hiatus from theatre to manage the restoration of a Victorian row house in the downtown residential historic district. Jim’s love of arts and craftsmanship led him to find and engage skilled artists in the field of scenic design, carpentry and plasterwork to treat and restore the original details throughout the house. As Jim became aware of a plan to run a modern commuter train line through the center of the residential/business district, he shared his neighbors’ outrage and felt his sense of civic responsibilities kick in. With much preparation and teamwork, Jim travelled to the state capital and testified to successfully move the route elsewhere. Although Jim returned once again to teaching theatre to college students as an adjunct professor in New York City, his big surprise was in becoming the chaperone/tutor aka wrangler for the child actors performing in Les Miserables from 1988-2003. This was a job he loved as it combined all the elements of his dedication to theatre, teaching, occasional backstage politics and encouraging young talent. One of the talented young actresses, Christiana, became part of the Cleveland household. She remained with them for several years until leaving for college and continues to be a treasured member of the Cleveland Family. Jim leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Carol and two brothers, John W (Joan) Cleveland and J Edward Cleveland, a niece Jennifer (Chris) Cassidy and nephew Jason (Jill) Cleveland and Christiana DeSautel. Arrangements are pending.

James Thomas Cleveland

October 9, 1941 - September 2, 2023