IN MY OWN LITTLE CORNER: My Work In Progress with Bipolar II Disorder seeks to stop the stigma and normalize conversations around mental illness so healing can happen. Veteran stage, film, and television actress Chryssie Whitehead (Broadway’s Chicago, A Chorus Line, and West Side Story film) performs an autobiographical play with music unraveling her diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder at the age 38 while making peace with the tragic passing of her mother. After each performance, Chryssie opens conversation with the audience to share their impressions and experiences in a safe and affirming space. The show will promote and raise funds for mental health services in the communities where it is presented.
Pictured above at the second reading for the year (left to right) is Director: Bryan Knowlton, Chryssie Whitehead and Musical Director: Nick Wilders.
Chryssie Whitehead: Author, Artist & Passionate Educator
A highly experienced triple arts performer & educator, Chryssie Whitehead-Disbrow has had an accomplished career in film, television, and theatre spanning 24 years. Chryssie began her career as a dancer for the Radio City Rockettes right out of high school and made her Broadway debut in the revival of A Chorus Line.
Her additional Broadway & Theatre credits include: Velma in Chicago (understudy, performed), Lola in Damn Yankees, Cassie in A Chorus Line, Kathy in Company and Bombalurina in Cats. Her multiple film and television credits include: Grey's Anatomy, Happy Endings, In Plain Sight, Switched at Birth, Castle, The Mentalist, Warehouse 13, Private Practice, Boston Public, Revenge of the Bridesmaids (with Raven-Symone) and Steven Spielberg's West Side Story.
In addition to performing, she has directed and/or choreographed productions of Chicago, Into the Woods, Shrek, Grease, and Beauty and the Beast. She recently joined the SDC Union and will be directing/choreographing a production of Nunsense, this spring in Florida. She teaches and directs showcases on the musical theatre faculty at AMDA College & Conservatory for the Performing Arts, as well as Co-founder/Mentor with their holistic, performing arts educational company, along side long time best friend, Alexis Carra at www.BroadwayArtsCommunity.com.
Broadway: COMPANY, WICKED. Off-Broadway/National Tour: JERSEY BOYS, EMOJILAND, NOTES FROM NOW, CRAVE. Regional: McCarter Theatre Center, ACT of Connecticut, Gateway Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Summer Theatre of New Canaan, Northern Stage. His orchestrations and arrangements have been heard around the world, from performances at the U.S.
Broadway: COMPANY, WICKED. Off-Broadway/National Tour: JERSEY BOYS, EMOJILAND, NOTES FROM NOW, CRAVE. Regional: McCarter Theatre Center, ACT of Connecticut, Gateway Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Summer Theatre of New Canaan, Northern Stage. His orchestrations and arrangements have been heard around the world, from performances at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal to Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He is a frequent collaborator and volunteer with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Nick has endless respect and gratitude to the family that built him, and the collaborators who champion him every day - that's you, Chryssie! Up next: RIDE THE CYCLONE at Arena Stage. www.nickwilders.com. (Photo credit: Susie Mann)
Outside of performing and teaching, Austin has an extensive background as an arts administrator, most recently at Arts Ignite and The Clive and Valerie Barnes Foundation. Austin is a Green Captain with the Broadway Green Alliance, and was a co-author and presenter of their greener reopening toolkit. She is a frequent volunteer at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and a proud member of Actors' Equity Association in both Canada and the US.
Mackenzie Lesser-Roy is an NY-based actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist. Most notably, she played the lead roles of Girl in the national tour of ONCE and Jovie in the national tour of ELF. She’s worked with renowned directors Jerry Mitchell and Rebecca Taichman as well as worked at various regional theaters. Mackenzie also ru
Mackenzie Lesser-Roy is an NY-based actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist. Most notably, she played the lead roles of Girl in the national tour of ONCE and Jovie in the national tour of ELF. She’s worked with renowned directors Jerry Mitchell and Rebecca Taichman as well as worked at various regional theaters. Mackenzie also runs a small business as an embroidery artist. So thrilled to be a part of this very special show! @mackenzie_lesserroy
Nyssa grew up playing violin and performing on stage, graduating with a BFA in musical theatre from the Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts. She spent several years working and recording around the country as an actor-musician, including performing in the national tour of the Broadway musical Once. Currently Nyssa splits her time between
Nyssa grew up playing violin and performing on stage, graduating with a BFA in musical theatre from the Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts. She spent several years working and recording around the country as an actor-musician, including performing in the national tour of the Broadway musical Once. Currently Nyssa splits her time between playing violin on and off stage, as well as performing in front of and working behind the camera with her production company OutaLine Productions. For future projects follow @nyssadee and @outalineproductions
Jared Mathis (He/Him) is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful team and support telling this story. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Jared plays for theater and cabarets (most recently supporting Abingdon Theatre's 2022 season) and in multiple bands (Fetch Tiger, First Nature, Nils Van) around New York City. He also works in the worlds of e
Jared Mathis (He/Him) is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful team and support telling this story. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Jared plays for theater and cabarets (most recently supporting Abingdon Theatre's 2022 season) and in multiple bands (Fetch Tiger, First Nature, Nils Van) around New York City. He also works in the worlds of event production, development, and marketing - creating opportunities for people to have enriching and meaningful experiences through art. Jared was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas and holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing with a focus in Arts Management from Baldwin Wallace University.
Rick Snell is the founder and host of the Mona’s Monday Night Bluegrass Session, a weekly showcase of some of the best American roots music in the New York area since 2011. He is currently playing the mandolin/guitar chair in the National Broadway tour of Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”, recently at the Kennedy Center and the Fox T
Rick Snell is the founder and host of the Mona’s Monday Night Bluegrass Session, a weekly showcase of some of the best American roots music in the New York area since 2011. He is currently playing the mandolin/guitar chair in the National Broadway tour of Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”, recently at the Kennedy Center and the Fox Theatre in Detroit among many other great venues. As a guitarist and singer he has worked with many artists over the years including Five Deadly Venoms, finalists at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival competition. Other notable mentions include national tours in support of Regina Spektor with Only Son, tours and a European run with the Public Theatre’s Obie Award winning “No Place to Go” by playwright Ethan Lipton and his Orchestra, studio work for many national ad campaigns and podcasts like Story Pirates from Gimlet Media, and various performances at places like the Beacon Theatre, Town Hall, the Greek Theatre, Avery Fisher Hall and the United Nations.
Copyright © 2018 Chryssie Whitehead is an Actress, Masterclass Educator, Director & Choreographer with a performing career over 20 years. - All Rights Reserved.
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