M.F.A. UCLA, Directing- Los Angeles, California
B.F.A. Virginia Commonwealth University- Richmond, VA
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Chris Beach is a professor of theatre arts at the University of Redlands. Chris began the theatre arts department in 1993, and has taught many subjects, his primary areas are acting and directing, voice and movement, first year seminars, senior seminars and performance projects. He received a BFA from VCU in 1977 and an MFA in Directing from UCLA in 1992. In 2000, Chris received the American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII, Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. Chris has directed over 60 productions in the professional, academic and community theatre arenas. His directing experience covers a variety of styles and genres- classics, absurdist, farce, devised works, musicals, physical theatre, drama, multi-media, and dance/theatre. Some of Chris' credits include assistant director on the world premiere of "Widows" at the Mark Taper Forum, written by Ariel Dorfman and Tony Kushner; Chris' premiere production of Mark Jordan Legans' "Nickel and Dime," at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood, received Best of the Weekend in the Los Angeles Times; his original production, Little Pictures, at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, received Pick of the Week in the LA Weekly; his Buffalo Nights' production of Max Frisch's "The Firebugs" received four Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards; his original production "Home Project: an Eco-Cabaret" premiered at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in April 2000 and received Pick of the Week in the L. A. Weekly. Chris was the founding artistic director of the Performance Loft, housed in an historic brick and timber packinghouse in downtown Redlands, the Performance Loft is an established venue for alternative arts programming in the Inland Empire.
Chris Beach received a BFA from VCU in 1977 and an MFA in Directing from UCLA in 1992
From 1977 until 1995 Chris Beach worked as a freelance actor/designer in Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. Scope of relevant work experience includes stage, film and television in both technical and performance capacities.
UCLA graduate fellowship 1990-93
In 1998, Chris developed and executed the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Glenn Wallichs Theatre. Through out that academic year, Chris hosted a series of events including theatre performances, video presentations, dinners and talks about the importance of the arts. These events included UOR theatre alum, community, trustees, and students. This event resulted in the contribution of $150,000.00 from Dorothy Wallichs.
In 1999, Chris presented a commedia del arte workshop at the American College Theatre Festival hosted at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2000, he presented a physical imagination workshop at the American College Theatre Festival hosted at Humboldt State, CA.
He has given various alumni pre-show theatre talks including Lion King and Cirque du Soleil.
Chris has directed over 60 productions in the professional, academic and community theatre arenas. His directing experience covers a variety of styles and genres- classics, absurdist, farce, devised works, musicals, physical theatre, drama, multi-media, and dance/theatre.
THA 140 Acting Fundamentals
THA 240 Acting Techniques
THA 340 Advanced Acting
THA 200 Voice and Movement
THA 310 Directing for the Stage
Generating Solo Work
Devising Performance Projects
Manuscript Analysis
Introduction to Theatre
First Year Seminar
Senior Seminar
Production Credit
Direct Department Productions
American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII, Award for Excellence in Theatre Education.
University of Redlands Alumni Relations Award.
Numerous Faculty Research Grants.
Performance Loft
Irvine Foundation Grant $5,000.00 2004
Bank of America Grant –arts enrichment programming-$5,000.00
Majestic Realty Foundation- $1,000.00
Home Project: Eco-Cabaret
National Energy Corporation 2001
Arts grant for support of the Environment $10,000.00
University of Redlands-Initiated $150,000.00 theatre gift from Wallichs estate 1999
University of Redlands-Managed $67,000.00 Sutro bequest to theatre department
Redlands Cultural Affairs Commission
