Christina
was finally able to return to theatre for the first time since
the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She discovered the
incredibly talented and inclusive community of Central Florida
Community Arts in her new backyard, and joined their
production of Elf:The Musical as Assistant Stage Manager .
This production brought together young actors from Pre-K through
high school for a magical journey through the seven levels of
the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum
drops, through the Lincoln Tunnel, and straight into the hearts
of its audiences during the holiday season.
Christina was thrilled to combine her love of theatre,
teaching, and the holidays with her stage management skills in
this production.
February
22, 2020
Christina could not have been more excited to
participate in her first red carpet premiere for the film,
"Uncanny Harbor." (The filming details can be found below
in June 2019) Christina was thrilled to attend the pre-
and after parties, walk the red carpet, see her name in the
credits, and most importantly, to share the experience with her
parents and best friend who have always supported her.
October
2019
This fall, Christina took a step behind
the table and backstage, in order to lend her talents as the
Stage Manager for Hibernian Hall's production of Lydia Diamond's
play "Stick Fly." Christina gained a wealth of new knowledge and
additional respect for the role of Stage Management, and was
very glad that she said yes to this challenge, although she is
usually much more comfortable onstage.
September
2019
Early this fall, Christina lent her talents to the madcap
adventures of "The Iliad, The Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology
in 99 Minutes or Less." With a cast of four other actors and about
12 rehearsals, Christina portrayed 30 different characters in
order to tell all of the above mentioned stories, while an
on-stage timer ticked down the minutes. There were so many props
and running crosses from one side of the stage to the next, that
she is still not quite sure which direction she is headed next!
"Next
up for the Olympians, we've got a real tough cookie...It's
Hera!" -As Jane
"Persephone,
where are you my daughter?" -As Demeter
"All
love stories are tragic" -As Ms. Henderson
"Easy
there, Champ...What did you want me to do, fight hand to
hand? Do you see any opposable thumbs here?" -As Noble
Steed
"I am
Theseus, son of King Ageus and I am going in to the
Labyrinth"
"I'm
going to get this game started by boiling my son, Pelops,
and feeding him to the Gods to prove that they can be
fooled" -As Tantalus
"Daddy,
we have got to let Odysseus get home" -As Athena
"How
can I be sure that it is you? You look exactly the same as
when you left...but that was twenty years ago" -As
Penelope
June 2019
Christina was thrilled to, once again, have the
opportunity to work with director, Nick Valaskatigs, on the film,
"Uncanny Harbor." She last worked on this project when Valaskatigs
was filming the trailer for the venture's kick-starter in 2014.
Since then, the project evolved into a short film that was very
well received at a number of film festivals, and is now being
turned into a feature film. Christina reprized her role as
Dr. Novak, a psychiatrist who knows more than she's letting on.
To see the trailer Click Here. Also, feel free to share the
trailer on social media with #Wheresemily
September
2017 - September 2018
Over
this particular year, Christina learned some of the finer points
of green screen performance. She used this new knowledge to play
one of the lead ensemble roles in the first season of a new web
series about an elite club of superheroes called "RoseForce."
Christina played the role of Monica Tello, a supermodel with super
speed and super ambition. The series
is produced by F.R. Perro Productions and has premiered on their
website, as well as on Amazon Prime.
August 2018
This summer Christina had the incredible
opportunity to perform an adaptation of a classic piece of
literature at a major theatrical festival. Christina was
ecstatic to join the cast of Ragnarok Productions' adaptation
of Homer's, "The Odyssey," which was performed at The
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She
was able to explore multiple roles in this movement driven,
ensemble piece and to help create a truly unique theatrical
experience. This was her first time traveling to Scotland, as
well as performing in a major arts festival. Christina learned
a lot from this experience and considers herself incredibly lucky to have
been a witness to the way that a group of passionate artists
can come together to support each other and a piece of work.
She looks forward to the opportunity to participate in
similar events in the future, especially if those events also
fulfill her love of travel.
See,
See On High
Zeus' Eagles Wing
To
Our Great Feast, Oh Guests Come Tarrying
The
Cyclops On High
Anticlea
in the Underworld
The
Suitors Fight Odysseus
October
13 - 29, 2017
The axe murders of Andrew and Abbey Borden resulted in the
trial of the century in 1893, as well as the catchy children's
tune "Lizzie Borden Took an Axe." Many, to this day, still wonder
exactly what happened that day on August 4, 1892. Local playwright
and director, Steve Dooner wrote the drama, "Lizzie of Fall
River," to reveal one possible truth behind the gruesome crime
committed in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Christina was thrilled to play the role of Emma Borden,
Lizzie's older sister. Very little is known about Emma, except
that Lizzie always considered her more of a mother figure than
their stepmother (who met her demise along with their father that
fateful August day). Christina enjoyed researching the Borden
family and the events surrounding the murders, and bringing new
life to the mysterious Borden family.
"I am not speaking of you, but of your
sister who resides in the house my father has given
you"
What's wrong with you, Lizzie? You seem so troubled"
July 12 - 30, 2017
This summer, Christina joined the
Apollinaire Theatre for their production of Friedrich
Dürrenmatt's, The Visit in PORT Park. The play looks at a
town on the verge of starvation that is presented with an
interesting moral dilemma. A wealthy heiress, who left the town in
her youth, promises a billion dollars for the town and all its
inhabitants if they make up for the injustice done to her so many
years ago by killing one of their neighbors. The play explores the
good of many over the one, whether a wrong done in the past can be
overcome by a mostly just life, and other ways that we all try to
justify our choices in life. Christina played Doctor Nüsslin
, a woman of the town, and a reporter.
The Dirge
"Get on the train!"
The Press in Gullen
The Final Town Meeting
August 2015
Christina had the
opportunity to combine her background in Shakespearean theatre
with her foray into film with the independent film project, "Romeo
& Juliet: Seasons." In this unique adaptation,
writer/director Nathaniel Scott sets key scenes from Shakespeare's
classic tragedy in different points during four couples' lives and
relationships. Christina played the role of Juliet in the
Summer of her life. Mr. Scott used the backdrop of a
complicated modern day proposal with the words of the play's
balcony scene to create an interesting new take on the familiar
tale. Christina is looking forward to receiving her copy of
the final project when filming and editing are completed.
May 2015
Christina participated
in her first 48 Hour Film Project with the UMass Filmmaking
Club. She played the role of Sharon, a high powered
talent manager. In the film, Sharon has to solve a PR
faux pas for one of her most famous clients. Christina
looks forward to receiving her copy of the final project.
March 2015
Christina joined a
student film team at Boston College to play Rose in "The
Cure," where in the not-to-distant future, science has found a
way for people to live forever. This film, written and
directed by Luiza Justus explores whether or not we would make
the choice to live forever, and how our loved ones might react
to our decision. Christina recently received her copy of the
finished film and posted it to the "Film Work" playlist on her
YouTube
Channel.
January - March 2015
Christina was excited to return
to the National Theatre
for Children for a fourth touring season. She played
the multi-character role for the first time in, "The
Treasure Trove of Conservation Cove: A Pirate's Tale." The
show presented the concepts of energy production and natural
resource conservation to elementary school students in North and
South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. The tour was sponsored
by Duke Energy
and was, therefore, provided to the schools free of charge.
Here's What Teachers Said
About Our Show
"Children and teachers were entertained,
engaged and interested. There were jokes for everyone in
the audience and my children talked about it after amongst
themselves which shows it had a good effect and impact."
"The actors were great. I had younger
children and they made them laugh and kept them engaged
throughout the production. We happened to encounter one of
the actors later and she again spent a few minutes talking
to the children. It was a great treat for the class."
"The actors were outstanding. They kept
the students' attention throughout the entire program. The
message was repeated, which helps with retention. The
comedy was just at the right level--not silly, but not
drab. It helped with the delivery of the concepts. Hats
off to you!"
Spring 2014
Christina was thrilled to be offered the lead
female role in RedTere Productions' short film, "Quid Pro
Quo." The film explores the concept of karma as a tool of
justice in a not-too-distant future world. RedTere is
planning to submit the project to local film festivals upon its
completion. Christina thoroughly enjoyed working on the film
with the talented RedTere production team, and looks forward to
seeing the completed project soon. For more information
about RedTere Productions or the new trailer for "Quid Pro Quo"
select a link below.
Christina traveled to Connecticut
to play the female lead in the Wesleyan senior thesis, "The Man
Who Had Too Much Empathy." The story follows Mr. Clipper, a
lonely math teacher who is cursed with feeling the emotions of
everyone he encounters. He deals with this by isolating
himself as much as possible, until a new history teacher arrives
(played by Christina) and tries to lead him out of his
shell. Christina has recently received her copy of the
finished film and posted it to the "Film Work" playlist on her YouTube
Channel.
November 2013
Christina really enjoyed working on
the Boston University student short film, "Territory." She
played Shelly, a woman so deeply entrenched in her routine that
when a scruffy stranger appears on her usual bench one day, it
throws her world into quite a tizzy. The project was filmed
without dialogue, and all of the sound was added after the initial
filming. This provided Christina with the opportunity to
experiment with her acting choices in a new way, and was a great
learning experience. This was also her first opportunity to
see her film work, when "Territory" was screened this
December. The project was very well received and Christina
has added it to the "Film Work" playlist on her YouTube
Channel for viewing.
September 2013
Christina has recently been working
to make the transition to the mediums of film and
television. She was excited to make the first step toward
doing this with a principle role in an Emerson senior thesis film,
"The Widow." The film is about an elderly woman with
dementia who is suspected of murdering her husband. The
widow must prove her innocence before she loses all of her
memories. Christina played the role of Doctor Freeman and
enjoyed learning from the process as well as some of the SAG
actors who were also part of the cast. She has
recently received her copy of the finished film and posted it to
the "Film Work" playlist on her YouTube
Channel.
January - March 2013
Christina was thrilled to tour in her third
season with the National Theatre
for Children. She once again, played Nikki Neutron
in, "The Energized Guyz and the Conservation Caper."
The show presented the concepts of energy production and
conservation to elementary school students in North and South
Carolina, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The tour was sponsored by Duke Energy
and was, therefore, provided to the schools free of charge.
To see a promotional video for this show click
on the link below: NTC's
Energized
Guyz
Here's What Teachers Said
About Our Show
"The actors
engaged the children and were able to reach even our
non-English speakers with their gestures and visual
aides. A very nice program. Thank you."
"Loved the energy
and enthusiasm from the performers! Great job at
motivating the group of students who saw your
presentation."
"The ladies that
came had a LOT of energy! They
made the kids laugh. They held the kids attention the
entire time. This was one of the best group to come and
visit our school. I hope to see them again next year!"
"The two ladies
that did the presentation were wonderful! The
information that was presented was very interesting."
"The program kept the
children's attention. The program was very informative
and enjoyable. My own child (he's 6) couldn't wait to
complete the booklet. He was also very excited about
signing up for the energy kit. Great show! Awesome
actors
"Great program.
Very informational and exciting. Well worth our time out
of class."
"And
Save the World!"
"It's
Nikki Neutron!"
"When
the magnet spins inside the copper coils, that creates
electricity"
"Do you
even know what energy is? Or how we waste it?" -Sneaker
"Not all of those things" -Nikki
**Photos
taken by Ms. Allison Ratterree at Lone Oak Elementary School**
September - November 2012
Christina was excited to return to the National
Theatre for Children for a second touring season. She
returned to the role of Nikki Neutron this time in, "The Energized
Guyz and The Conservation Caper." The show presented the
concepts of energy production and conservation to elementary
school students in North Carolina. The tour was sponsored by Duke Energy
and was, therefore, provided to the schools free of charge.
"But
it's so easy to use energy wisely!"
"Great
answer, Super Sidekick!"
August 2010 - August 2012
Christina completed her second, consecutive season as a
core company member at Gamut Classic
Theatre in Harrisburg, PA. Gamut Theatre
Group is the combined company of Popcorn Hat Players
Children's Theatre and Harrisburg Shakespeare
Festival. As a core company member, she performed
in both their children's theatre and main stage
productions, taught theatre school classes and theatre
camp, participated in their educational outreach tours,
and managed the Gamut Theatre costumes and props
departments. Throughout her tenure at Gamut,
Christina completed 350 performances, taught 750
students, and created a new organizational system for
both the costumes and props departments.
June 1 - 16, 2012 Christina, once again, joined
the cast of the Harrisburg Shakespeare Company, for their 19th
annual Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo and Juliet. She
thoroughly enjoyed exploring the often overlooked, but
surprisingly complex, character of Lady Capulet in the classic
love story. The production was set in turn of the 19th
century New Orleans. Complete with 19th century suits and
beaded gowns, the Dixie one step, a myriad of New Orleans cultures
and accents, epic sword fights, and a voodoo priestess; there was
something for everyone to enjoy.
Click here to read the review from David Olmstead
of the Patriot News
"Enough
of this, I pray thee hold thy peace"
"Marry,
that 'marry' is the very theme
I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,
How stands your disposition to be married?"
Lady
Capulet and Tybalt tearing it up in the
Dixie One Step at the Capulet's masquerade
"Romeo
slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live"
"Marry,
my child, early next Thursday morn,
The gallant, young and noble gentleman,
The County Paris, at Saint Peter's Church,
Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride."
"Ay,
sir; but she will none, she gives you thanks.
I would the fool were married to her grave!"
"What
are you, mad?"
"But
one, poor one, one poor and loving child,
But one thing to rejoice and solace in,
And cruel death hath catched it from my sight"
*Many thanks to Sam Dove, a local photographer, who took these
amazing pictures during the run of the show*
March 2011 - June 2012
While at Gamut, Christina was a proud member of Gamut
Theatre's resident improvisational troupe T.M.I. During her
tenure the group practiced both short and long forms of improv for
their various performances in the area. T.M.I was featured
the third Friday of every month at The Midtown Scholar as part
Harrisburg's "3rd in the Burg" festivities. T.M.I also
performed at such venues as Gamut Classic Theatre, The
Shubin Theatre (home of P.H.I.T Philly Improv
Theatre), and placed 5th out of 18 eastern region
improvisational groups in the 2011 Harrisburg Improv Throwdown.
January 20 - February 5,
2012
Christina was honored to play
Gilda Radner in Gamut's production of Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner: A Sort of Romantic Comedy.
The play was written by Alan Zweibel, one of
the original writers on Saturday Night Live, and explores the
deeply personal, but non-sexual relationship between Zweibel and
Gilda Radner. The mood of the show alternates between humor
and poignancy, but is always deeply human as the audience explores
the unique friendship that the two shared. Complete with
snipets from Emily Littella and Roseanne Roseannadanna;
appearances from topical characters like Andy Warhol and Gary
Shandling; and life events such as marriages, the birth of
children, and battles with bulimia and drugs; this show proved
both amusing and revealing to fans of Gilda Radner, Alan Zweibel,
and those who share a special bond with someone in their own
lives.
Click here to read the review from David Olmstead
of the Patriot News
Gamut
re-created this famous picture of Gilda Radner and
Alan Zweibel for the publicity pictures for Bunny, Bunny
"Zweibel....Mr.
Alan Zweibel?"
The
first Saturday Night Live
"Picture
an ocean, if you will, Richard.
An ocean where each wave, after wave, after lust forsaken
wave...Oh yes, Richard. Alan is so much more than a
writer."
"Oh
Judy...oh Judy"
"Never
mind!"
"A
Beatle farted in your elevator?"
"I'm
dangling from a helicopter and the rope ladder is caught
in the torch of Lady Liberty,and the terrorists are
getting away!
Help! Help!"
"It's a boy!"
"How
could you do a thing like that to me?
I would never write honestly about you."
"If I
ask you a question,
do you promise to take it the right way?"
**Gamut photographer: Brianna Dow**
November
2011
This fall Christina joined the cast of Gamut
Theatre Group's virtually uncut production of Hamlet. The story of
Hamlet was originally adapted by William Shakespeare from the
Viking tale of Amleth and Feng,
and Gamut once again embraced the clothing, setting, and
mannerisms of this time period in their fall production.
Christina appeared as the Player Queen and assisted Hamlet in
discovering that "the play's the thing wherein (we'll) catch the
conscience of the King!"
Artwork
by Rob Smith
Christina
Closs: Player Queen (seated, foreground), David Ramon
Zayas: Rosencrantz (standing, background), Randy Hodson:
Player, Nicholas Hughes: Player King (seated, center),
Alex Hodson: Player (above), Preston Schreffler:
Guildenstern, Robin Dorff: Polonius
Ian
Potter: Hamlet, Christina Closs: Player Queen, Nicholas
Hughes: Player King
"The
Mousetrap" Randy Hodson: Player, Charles Hooker: Player,
Tom Weaver: Horatio, Nicholas Hughes: Player King
(prone, foreground), Christina Closs: Player Queen
(kneeling), Karen Ruch: Gertrude, Dan Burke: Claudius
(background), Ian Potter (foreground)
**Gamut
photographer: Brianna Dow**
*Special thanks to the Gamut website for captioning*
October 2011 - June 2012
Christina was thrilled to be an
ensemble member in Poe: Much of
Madness, one of Gamut Theatre Group's two educational
outreach productions this season. The production was a part
of the Tunkhannock Theatre in the Park program (PA) and had a
brief run for the public at Gamut's home theatre in Strawberry
Square from October 21 - 23 and October 28 - 30, 2011.
Poe: Much of
Madness, which was adapted and directed by David Ramon
Zayas, is a movement and music based stage adaptation of a
selection of the works of Edgar Allan Poe including The Conqueror Worm, The Tell Tale
Heart, Annabel Lee, Cask of Amontillado, The Raven,
and The Masque of the Red Death.
June 2011
Christina joined the cast of All's Well That Ends Well
for Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival's 18th season of
free Shakespeare at the Levitt Pavillion in Reservoir Park.
All's Well That Ends Well tells the tale of a young maiden
named Helena who loves a man above her station. By employing
a powerful prescription left to her by her father, a well known
physician, she is able to heal the King of France of the ailment
that has plagued him without cure. As her reward, Helena is
permitted to choose any man she likes to be her husband. All
would be well and the play end here except that Bertram, her
heart's desire, will have none of her. Hoodwinking, bed
tricks, and general mayhem ensues until all is resolved.
However, by the end of the play the audience is left asking if a
play that ends well really means that all is well for the
characters within that play. Set in France and Italy in
1942, this production excited the sight, sound, and imaginations
of the audiences that came to see it FOR FREE!
This event is highly anticipated by the Harrisburg
community each year. Many audience members pack a picnic
dinner and come out to the park to watch Shakespeare under the
stars.
"So that
from point to point now have you heard
The fundamental reasons of this war
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
And more thirsts after."
"Therefore
we marvel much our cousin France
Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers."
"Madam,
he's gone to serve the duke of Florence:
We met him thitherward; for thence we came,
And, after some dispatch in hand at court,
Thither we bend again."
"There
is no remedy, sir, but you must die: the
general says, you that have so traitorously
discovered the secrets of your army and made such
pestiferous reports of men very nobly held, can
serve the world for no honest use; therefore you must die.
Come, headsman, off with his head."
**Gamut photographer: Brianna Dow**
January 2011
This winter, Christina was
part of the cast of The Sunshine Boys. The comedy by
Neil Simon explores the relationship of the vaudeville team of
Lewis and Clark, who have not spoken for the past twelve years,
which is especially interesting as they've only been retired for
eleven years. Filled with one liners and classic sketch
comedy; the production delighted fans of vaudeville and modern
comedy alike.
The production was especially exciting as Jay Krevsky and
Jay Mifflouf, two of the Gamut board members who are also very
well known in the local theatre circuit, played the two main
characters.This was also the first
time that Mr. Krevsky and his wife Nancy were on stage in a
scene together, although they have performed in over 100 local
shows between them.
This was also the first
production on which Christina worked as a costume designer.
**Gamut photographer: Brianna Dow**
November 2010
Christina had the great pleasure of playing Theodote in Gamut
Theatre's production of Barefoot in Athens.This rarely staged play by Maxwell
Anderson examines the final months and trial of Socrates.It illustrates the motivations of the
father of western philosophy and those of the citizens of Athens
who Socrates often frustrated.
"It's
not for Spartans!"
“Every vendible
maid in Athens is being walked up and down by her
mother, her best leg foremost!”
“It’s not too
late.There’s a back way.But be quick about it”
“Then I’ll go! Stay and die if you insist!
The children shall have their chance!I’ll go!”
**Gamut photographer: Brianna Dow**
October 2010 - June 2011
Christina was privileged to play Gertrude,
Rosencrantz, and Marcellus in the Gamut Theatre educational
outreach production of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Each year Gamut produces a 90
minute production of a Shakespeare play with a limited
cast. This production tours to area middle and high
schools, as well as mounting a brief run for the public at
Gamut's home theatre in Strawberry square.
