Ask an Apprentice: Alexa Christian

Get to know Alexa Christian in this Ask an Apprentice feature!

Acting Apprentice Alexa Christian can be seen onstage in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Winter's Tale. She also voices the role of Kendra in The Barber and The Unnamed Prince in the Touchstone.

APT: Hi, Alexa! Tell us about your journey to APT! Where are you coming from and how did you first hear about American Players Theatre?
Christian: Before coming to APT I was a senior at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) studying for a BA degree majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in American Sign Language interpretation. The amazing (!) Sam Luis Massaro flew Alys Dickerson out to audition us.

I remember reading the first email from Sam and thinking, "I'm definitely not doing that." because I was so confident that attending graduate school to get a Masters degree in Acting was what I'd be doing this fall/winter. And after getting a couple more emails from Sam, I emailed him back and told him that I wasn't planning on auditioning but thinking about attending the ensemble building session Alys would be holding. Sam convinced me to audition, I met Alys, fell in love with who she is and what they both represent personally and artistically and was offered a track for the apprentice program a couple weeks before the beginning of the season.

When I got the call from Alys, I was so excited, and they were as well, because they told me I would have to leave school early to be able to have the spot. After saying goodbye to all my friends, and finishing up my exams AND starting the season's read-thrus and rehearsals, management was very kind in letting me go home to walk for graduation and then come back for the remainder of the season. I've said plenty of times that I'm here because of Sam and Alys (which they will deny) but I'm very grateful for Sam's guidance, kindness, and friendship, and Alys's sisterhood.

APT: Wow, that's a huge spring. Congratulations! How did you become interested in performing? Any impactful memories that helped you establish your passion?
Christian: I have always been interested in performing. It's in my family. From my Uncle Sam Fletcher who was a performer that got to sing on the Dinah Shore show with Barbra Streisand and many places all over the world to my mother singing in pageants and being involved in theatre for all of her life, it was a no-brainer for me and I could never envision doing anything else.

One particular memory that established my passion was when I was a freshman in high school, closer to the end of the year, when students had to submit their focus for the remainder of their high school career. Medicine was an option and I remember my mother wanting me to study pediatric neurology, but I couldn't stop thinking that the Theatre Arts option was the better choice for me. I talked with my mom and she kept saying how smart I was and how many lives I could help. And I remember thinking that I wanted to change lives in a different way. A way that speaks to the soul, theatre, the arts. Everyday since I have carried that choice with me, understanding that this life is my own and one that I deeply appreciate.

APT: Amazing. We're glad you made that decision, too! Share more about your first season at APT! What discoveries did you make? Any surprises come with working in the outdoors?
Christian: My first season at APT has been nothing short of wonderful! The biggest discovery has been this jewel of a place in the middle of nowhere that is so filled with love. From the values of APT to the constant hugs I get from fellow castmates, I feel the care that is put into every production here through the stitches of the costumes, to the props that go on set, to the stage managers, and crew members. I have also found the importance of a mosquito suit (which I didn't know existed before I came here). I thought it would be nearly impossible to fill that space of the up-the-Hill Theatre. I mean, don't get me wrong it's a kind of beast I've never tackled before now, but I've found my voice night after night with the help of watching the other pros and curating something within myself that could carry to the back of this large house.

Something that I appreciate that I didn't expect with the APT audience is how engaged and loving they are. Past audiences filled with bored college students forced to attend my collegiate performances primed me for these intelligent and really passionate people coming to see our shows that not only talk back but become another character with me as I perform.

APT: Please tell us more about the Acting Apprentice Program this season! Have there been any favorite ah-ha moments from the past couple of months?
Christian: The Acting Apprentice Program is nothing short of a little family that we've made over these past 3 months and some change. It was very apparent from the first zoom call we had, that this was going to be a special group and that has only been stamped time and time again as we have shown up for each other and leaned on one another through tears and vulnerable conversations. My cohort is the best. Full stop. Everyone is so immensely talented, it is quite ridiculous. I've gotten a chance to hang with Kelly (who I have affectionately nicknamed Kells), Jac, Jonathan, and Jose and it never ceases to be an extraordinary time getting to learn from them and understand them better. I truly love them and it's such a testament to Alys bringing us together.

We had about a month and a half of classes and the biggest a-ha moment was, "Wow. Iambic Pentameter is actually important to understand." I didn't study it at all in college and was given a brief how-to on it in high school, but it always felt like something that did more harm than good when it came to understanding the language of Shakespeare. I never felt I needed it because I could convey my message through my Shakespearean text just fine without it. But when I learned that it was something that I could use to pick the most important patterns of my character's words, understand how exactly my character is feeling, give a way to navigate the character's emotions, and then after all that, I could just throw it away?! That was so incredible to me and I can now confidently say that Iambic Pentameter is a tool that I understand and will use in the future.

APT: What's been your favorite thing about summer at APT and in Spring Green?
Christian: It's hard to pick just one favorite thing about APT or Spring Green but I'd have to say being able to look up at the sky and see the glorious moon and stars. I'm a huge "Wow, look at the Mooooon!"-girl, so all summer after rehearsals I have been able to just adore the night sky. One night Jac, Jonathan, an APT vet, and I were out at the nearby blueberry farm barn, and we saw a shooting star and it was so beautiful. It reminds me of a line from The Notebook, "... spending a summer beneath the trees..." and how else should one spend a summer? Summer won't ever be the same.

APT: That sounds pretty perfect. Outside of performing, what else do you enjoy doing? Any other passions or adventures we should know about?
Christian: Outside of performing, I enjoy writing (this summer and the people I've met have inspired me quite a bit creatively). I love writing poems. I'm a big movie girl so I'm quick to watch a movie whenever I have down time. I grew up with my English teacher mother so I'm also a bibliophile, I love to read. Right now I'm reading Jacqueline Springfield's Black Playwrights and Heightened Text: When Shakespeare ain't enuf and The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. Over the past couple of months I've picked baking back up and my homemade peach pie has become quite popular among my friends here. I love singing as well so going to the blueberry farm barn I enjoy the musical improv, making harmonies, and jammin' out!

APT: Great! How have you changed as an artist and as an individual? What will you take with you from your experience in the woods?
Christian: As an artist I'm learning how powerful I am. I have been blessed with people telling me that during my time here and gaining a better understanding of my circles of awareness and filling the space whether that be up-the-Hill or in the Touchstone. I like to think of my artistry as being a transformer - funny enough - I don't want to be seen as Alexa when I get on stage and I've acquired this process before a show when I get to my dressing room I'll take off all my jewelry (that represents who I am) and start with a blank canvas to then "put on" my fairy in Midsummer or my Lady In Waiting (who I have named Jasmine) in Winter's Tale.

Individually, I have changed since being here because I feel more beautiful, more like a woman. It's difficult to put to words but I feel like I am growing in my womanhood in these woods. When I leave here I'll definitely take more confidence with me, understanding the power I possess.

APT: That's fantastic. So happy you joined us this summer, Alexa. Any special shout-outs you'd like to give to mentors/friends/family?
Christian: I'd like to give a special shout-out to my Mom who is known for calling at about anytime to "hear her baby's voice." She spent no hesitation when I called her worried about leaving school early or when I got offered my contract extension for The 39 Steps. She is my biggest cheerleader and best friend. I couldn't and wouldn't want to do any of this without her.

I'd like to say thank you to my glorious friends (Makayla, Jessica, and Lulia and others) for supporting me, crying and hollering when I told them I got this job. The type of friends I could go to war for, true girlfriends. My family has been very nice and supportive as well. Mentorship is so heavy here. I've gotten to know so many wonderful people I admire and been able to learn just from watching everyone. Having breakfast with Brenda (DeVita) and talking with Gavin (Dillon Lawrence) and many more I have learned the individual stories and favorite shows of people I look up to.

I'd also like to shout-out the cast of Barber and the Unnamed Prince who have grown to be like family to me. We have shown up through everything, and handled rehearsals, tablework, changes, and opening nights with grace and laughter (like we do) and I love you all.

APT: Wonderful, Alexa. Thanks for chatting. Anything else you'd like to share?
Christian: I've shared this a few (feels like more) times this season but it can never be said too much. I am very grateful to God for knowing what I needed and not giving me what I thought I wanted. APT and every person here has been an answer to a prayer for community and true love. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with a new perspective, my lovely cohort, and family.