CURRENT PROJECTS
HUNGRY FOR SOME MUSICAL THEATRE?
It was my absolute pleasure to collaborate with amazing writers from all over the world and direct a season brought to life by 40 performers including Broadway legends and veterans such as Karen Mason, Constantine Maroulis, Telly Leung, Ann Harada, Alan H. Green, J.Elaine Marcos, Thom Sesma, Gabrielle Ruiz, Rick Negron, and more in an exciting new project with IndieWorks Theatre Company!
Bite-Sized Broadway: A Mini-Musical Podcast is a short-form musical theatre program featuring a fully-produced “mini-musical” in every episode followed by a talkback with the creators!
Written by musical theatre writers from all across the globe and complete with lush orchestrations, captivating sound design, and top talent from Broadway, the West End, Hollywood and beyond, we’re bringing the best of the Broadway experience right to your phone!
Subscribe today and snack on these new mini-musicals anytime, anywhere!
Resumé
Christopher currently serves as Resident Director of
IndieWorks Theatre Company & Bite-Sized Broadway
Proud Assoc.
Member of
References Available:
Upon Request
THEATRE
THE GIANT HOAX (NYC Premiere at Theatre Row)
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
CASPER, THE NOT-SO-FRIENDLY GHOST
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
EMPTY FRAMES (World Premiere)
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
THE WEDDING WARRIOR
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
TWO COUSINS & A PIZZA (World Premiere)
Director - New York Winterfest
THE COMMUTERS OR A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT
THE PORT AUTHORITY * (World Premiere at the Theatre at St. Clements)
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Starring Latrice Royale)
Director - Muchadu Productions/Broward House, FL
OKLAHOMA!
Director/Lighting Design - Osceola High School, FL
LITTLE THINGS (World Premiere)
Director - St. Petersburg Little Theatre, FL
CLOSER THAN EVER
Director - Pinellas County Center for the Arts, FL
INTO THE WOODS, JR.
Director - Largo Cultural Arts Center, FL
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KID'S SOUL (World Premiere)
Director - John Hopkins Center for the Arts, FL
TWO BOYS IN A BED ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT
Asst. Director/Set Design - Rising Action Theatre, FL
YOSEF: AN EPIC NEW MUSICAL
Asst. Director - Born Entertainment, NY
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
Asst. Director - Rodeph Shalom Middle School, NYC
FILM/MEDIA
VALLEY HIGH (Based on the song by Drew Gasparini)
Director - Calendar Boys Productions/Jeremy Terry Productions
THE GIRLS IN BLUE
Director - Calendar Boys Productions, NYC
BITE-SIZED BROADWAY (Monthly Podcast of Mini-Musicals)
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
READINGS
THE GIANT HOAX
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company/Gallery Players, NYC
VANITIES
Director - Karen Kohlhaas' Summer Directing Program, NYC
FAIRY TALE CITY
Director - Mariolio Productions, NYC
EVANGELINE: A CURIOUS JOURNEY
Asst. Director - Davenport Theatricals, NYC
CABARETS/CONCERTS
SAXE AND THE CITY: THE MUSIC & LYRICS OF PETER SAXE
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
SONGS FROM A HAT
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
DIRTY LITTLE DITTIES
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
KIT GOLDSTEIN GRANT & FRIENDS!
Director - IndieWorks Theatre Company, NYC
SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: VOLUME 1
Director - Playlight Theatre Company, NYC
SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: VOLUME 2
Director - Playlight Theatre Company, NYC
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS
Director - Calendar Boys Productions/Jeremy Terry Productions
EDUCATION & TRAINING
PINELLAS COUNTY CENTER FOR THE ARTS (2000-2003)
Majored in Musical Theatre; Minored in Playwriting
ACTING
Howard Thomas, Ron DeBeck, Keven Renken, Dave Alan Thomas, Michael Leeds, Kimberly Vaughn
DIRECTING
Karen Kohlhaas, Kimberly Senior
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Karen Kohlhaas' Summer Directing Program 2018
Primary Stage's Articulating Your Vision with Kimberly Senior 2018
TRU's Writer/Director Communication Lab 2019
Jackson Gay & Sheri Wilner's Playwright/Director Workshop 2020
SPECIAL SKILLS & TALENTS
PERSONAILTY
Ambitious, Collaborative, Communicative, Confident, Curious, Detail-Oriented, Driven, Focused, Leadership-Oriented,
Open-minded, Organized, Punctual, Service Oriented,
Visual Storyteller
RELATED SKILLS
Writing, Music Composition, Lyric Writing, Editing, Casting, Producing, Stage Management, Graphic Design/Publicity, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Makeup Design/Artistry
SOFTWARE & EQUIPMENT
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point; Google Suite;
Adobe Photoshop; Audacity; Final Draft Pro; iMovie; Zoom;
Good working knowledge of Finale Music; QLab
*The Commuters or A Cautionary Tale About The Port Authority was voted Audience Favorite and was nominated for five awards including Best Musical, Best Actor, and Best Costume Design and won the awards for Best Director and Best Actress in the Riant Theatre's 2016 Strawberry Theatre Festival in NYC.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
THEATRE
CASPER, THE
NOT-SO-FRIENDLY GHOST
FILM & OTHER MEDIA
CABARETS & CONCERTS
SONGS FROM A HAT
DIRECT STATEMENTS ABOUT MY DIRECTING...
"Christopher's knowledge of music and story structure united with his experience as both a comedic and serious musical theatre actor helps him direct musicals with great pacing, delivery, and comedic timing while tackling the more penetrating, disquieting circumstances of the character’s journey as needed.
He knows how to create a world in which the actors and audience live together, thus achieving the highest possible aim: the communion that is theatre at its best. He is fully invested in supporting his actors, writers, and designers to be the best they can possibly be, and it is for this reason that he becomes his best."
KIMBERLY VAUGHN
Actress, Director, Artistic Director
Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio
“Christopher is a kind, inclusive and inspirational director. An extremely talented actor himself, Christopher is an actors director. He knows how to guide folks in a warm and supportive way that brings out the very best in every player. He is a leader always, a teacher when called upon to instruct and a genuine friend to those he watches over. I'm eternally grateful to have been under his wing during the Off-Broadway premiere of A Giant Hoax.”
ROBYNE PARRISH
Artistic Director - Parrish & Co.
Actress - The Giant Hoax
"Being directed by Christopher is an actor’s dream. He is an actor himself, and so, while he communicates his visions clearly and passionately, he welcomes collaboration and open discussion."
MONICA BLUME
Actress - Vanities, Dirty Little Ditties
"What sets Christopher apart as a director is not only his unique and creative visions for projects, but his passion and drive to achieve greatness, striving to ensure that every aspect of a production is the best it can be, and won’t rest until he’s certain that a project is something to be proud of for everyone involved."
JEREMY TERRY
Managing Director/Executive Producer
IndieWorks Theatre Company
"Chris is a delight to work with; a true collaborator with a clear vision and an enormous heart, he’s a dynamo of a producer and director! I delight in working with him on each production."
JONATHON LYNCH
Creator/Producer - Bite-Sized Broadway Music Director/Arranger - The Giant Hoax
"Christopher is an organized, talented, and creative director who brings an actor’s empathy to the table, helping a cast build their performances and work cohesively toward the same vision. As a writer, I have always felt my work is safe in Christopher’s capable hands."
PETER SAXE
Composer/Lyricist - Saxe and the City
“I absolutely love working with Christopher as a director! His overall preparedness, creativity, enthusiasm, knowledge and respect for casting directors as well as for actors, adds up to a fulfilling professional experience for all involved!”
HELENE GALEK
Casting Director - Helene Galek Casting
"Since 2014, Christopher has worked on my one woman show, The Wedding Warrior, in several capacities: producer, director, lighting/sound/graphic designer (and sometimes all at once!) He is a reliable, hardworking artist who puts his whole heart into everything he does, every time. I never worry when he’s helming the ship. Christopher is also an amazing writing advisor/dramaturg. He has helped me fine tune my scripts, outlines, and characters for submissions and for my podcast, all of which were successes due to his help.”
CASEY DRESSLER
Writer/Performer - The Wedding Warrior
Host - Casey Takes Manhattan
"Christopher Michaels is one of the most focused and driven directors and producers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He is precise, detailed, and terrifically creative. I have always and will continue to always answer his calls to collaborate with enthusiasm and genuine excitement and curiosity for what he will dream up next!”
BRIAN CEDRIC JONES
Actor/Director/Choreographer
Choreographer - The Commuters
“Christopher Michaels is a master at musical comedy, both as an actor and as a director of the stage. He brings to his productions a full box of innovative craft that lifts the work to thrilling heights. His composition is clean, purposeful, and manages to find the emotional sticking point that hits you in the gut or the funny bone, often both at the same time.”
BEN TOSTADO
Artistic Director - Playlight Theatre Co.
Actor - The Giant Hoax