“Christopher expertly links a clear vision and a collaborative process with both humor and humility. He truly embodies the idea that great art comes from artists, so artist care must be part of any creative process. He stands out for his kindness, commitment to the art of theatre, and vision of a better theatrical future. As a colleague and as a collaborator, I appreciate his leadership and commitment to making excellent, and safe, art. He truly is an asset to any creative team.”

“Christopher Michaels is a master at musical comedy, both as an actor and as a director of the stage. He consistently brings to his productions a full box of innovative craft that lifts the work to thrilling heights. His rooms are warm, inviting, joyful, and encourage play. 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.”

"Christopher's understanding of story structure and how music affects emotion, 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. 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."

“Christopher brings great joy, passion, dedication, and a keen attention to detail to every project. He leads with warmth, empathy, and positivity, always! His ability to hold space for our humanity while still encouraging artistic excellence is a credit to both his skill as a director and his grace as a human being. I know I'll feel seen, appreciated, and creatively inspired whenever I have the pleasure of bringing his vibrant visions to life!”

“Christopher demonstrates a powerful drive to advance the development of original musical storytelling by and for diverse voices. He asks the right questions, includes the right collaborators, shares space and power, believes in the value of dramaturgy and elevating unheard artists, and has shown tremendous commitment to inclusion, challenging the format, and bringing new and exciting work to life in ways that allow others to participate and enjoy the process and results."

"Christopher’s impact on our theatre was immediate and extraordinary. He was always thoroughly prepared, worked tirelessly, and delivered a first-class production that received critical acclaim and sold out its entire run. When a tech issue arose midway through, despite not being his direct responsibility, he quickly flewback to ensure it was resolved, demonstrating his exceptional commitment to the show’s success."