"Control What is Within Your Power." Chatting with Christopher McIntyre

It is my great joy to introduce you to the one and only Christopher McIntyre! Chris will be performing in Arts Center of Coastal Carolina's upcoming production of Noises Off where he'll be portraying the role of Tim! In New York, this proud AEA Member has performed with The Classic Stage Company, New York Theatre Workshop, Barrow Group/Yangtze Repertory, New York Theater Festival, The Metropolitan Opera, Stag & Lion Theatre Company, Inwood Shakespeare Festival, and Random Access Theatre. Regional credits include Cymbeline & Merry Wives of Windsor (Cloten/Gaoler & Bardolph respectively; Richmond Shakespeare Festival), Next Fall (Luke; Mad Cow Theater), L’ange Avec Les Fleurs (Pierre LeFleur; Toronto-Int’l Fringe Festival), Merry Wives of Windsor & King Lear (Simple & Burgundy/Servant to Cornwall respectively; Orlando Shakespeare Festival), and Batboy: The Musical (Bud, Daisy, & Pan; Actor’s Guild of Lexington).

Seeing actors perform at venues in a safe manner really puts a smile on my face and reminds me that there is a light for artists at the end of this dark tunnel. I first met Christopher working together at The Metropolitan Opera, and there truly isn't a nicer person with more talent you can meet. I am very thankful that Christopher, who is knee deep in rehearsals for Noises Off, took the time to talk with me!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
Aside from doing one-man kick-lines down my basement stairs to New York, New York, I was about 10 years old when I first knew I wanted to be a performer. I had taken a class field trip to see Lexington Children's Theatre production of A Christmas Carol in my home state of Kentucky.

The magic of the show ignited something in me that I had always felt was within. The ominous reveal of Marley and his chains, the lively, mystical portrayals of the three ghosts, and the simplistic, heartfelt love that the Cratchit family shared awakened in me the passion of being a storyteller. I gathered all of the neighborhood kids (and my younger sister, Courtenay) to re-enact our version of A Christmas Carol in our basement. I was Marley with the chains, of course.

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the wonderful performer you are today?

Oh yes, there are so many wonderful people that come to mind. Lisa Zaleski, an Education Director with the Lexington Children's Theatre introduced me to my first professional opportunities. She was a fabulous mentor who poured her joyous theatre knowledge and her frank practicality into me, sharing with me the exciting ropes of what it was to be a professional actor. Next, Russell Henderson was my professor, vocal production teacher, and director at the University of Kentucky. He gave me my first role in my collegiate journey, Adam in As You Like It. I also had a very thick, country accent, and he helped me achieve transatlantic speech by graduation.

Last but certainly not least, my first theatre home was with the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the acting mentors from there that come to mind are Beth Marshall and Patrick Flick. I had the privilege of acting with both of them on stage, and both have hired me as a performer for productions they produced. Most importantly, they pushed me to truly be myself, deepening my craft that much further. There are numerous peers and mentors who have challenged me over the years and continue to do so. Thanks, y'all!

Congratulations on Noises Off! How has your time been so far at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina?

Thank you! (*insert Molly Shannon "I’m 50!" kick!) My time here has been absolutely wonderful! The Arts Center, in tandem with Actors Equity Association, has gone above and beyond to make this fun-loving cast & crew feel extremely Covid-safe. We are deep into rehearsing this three-act beast of a show. I am in awe every day I arrive at rehearsal and experience the comedic prowess of everyone involved. I've laughed harder in one week than I have this entire past year. I'm overjoyed to be back at it doing what I do best, comedy!

On top of that, Hilton Head Island is gorgeous! The beach is less than five minutes away from my condo, and my walk-in closet is bigger than my NYC apartment. For that alone, I am grateful! Joking! (kinda.)

How does it feel to have an opportunity to perform for such a wonderful company during these times?

I feel humbled, revived creatively, and honored to have the opportunity to work with this wonderful company during these times especially on a show that I have wanted to do for years. It has reminded me how important our work is and how much it is needed in the world. I'm overwhelmed with immense joy to be here doing what I love!

Are there any roles and shows that you have done in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

Well, my role of Tim Allgood in Noises Off is certainly topping the charts. It's been a while since I have gotten to portray a role where I’m not the brightest crayon in the box; not to mention the talent of a Cockney accent, a first for me in a show. Other roles near and dear to me are Jack in Into the Woods (Sondheim, nuff said!), Caesar Rupf in Romulus the Great which was my Off-Broadway debut and was a delicious villain to bring to life, and lastly, Lepidus in Antony & Cleopatra with Bard City/CSC, an incredible collaborative process and staging with our RSC director. I could go on and on but that’s the few that come to mind.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?

Patsy Rodenburg describes artists as the "healers of society, the people who witness the truth." Our community has been hit especially hard during this past year. The BEST thing we can do as artists is continue to work on ourselves and our craft. We have been given time that we wouldn't normally have - when we would be working away at our survival jobs, rushing to those auditions, exhausting ourselves - and we should use that time for self-care that leads to our creativity. Basically, I'm saying use your time wisely and control what is within your power.

Submit for auditions. Amp up your self-tape game. Take those Zoom classes. Learn a new skill. But above all, take care of yourself and live your truth because when this is all said and done, the world needs storytelling healers like us to help make sense of it all.

Noises off will open on February 2nd and will run through the 28th. For more information make sure you visit Arts Center of Coastal Carolina's official website at - https://www.artshhi.com; and to learn more about Chris please visit his website at https://www.christopheramcintyre.com