Christian Epps is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee in the Lighting Design for an Intimate Theatre category for his work on STICK FLY at the Matrix Theatre Company.
If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Christian (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Christian the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
During high school it was receiving a sense of accomplishment from putting on a show for kids and adults and them really liking it.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
Overall the writer, Lydia Diamond, and the director, ShirleyJo Finney, were working with a cast that is in-touch with the tremendous magnitude of the human spirit thats in each of us.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
‘Moist’ at The Hayworth on Sundays starting in Dec. About sexuality and maturity. it’s a hoot and it’s educational. I’m also working on a reality TV with the Jackson Brothers and a corporate dinner - those two hold me over until i can find my next life-affirming gig in the theatre.
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
I love the die-hard people who keep doing it in spite of the obvious financial difficulties. We keep coming back no matter what!
What’s your dream project?
The one that makes the audience cry - happy tears - and me too!
Biography: Lighting Designer: television, film and live theatre. THEATRE; Fountain Theatre (Victory, Gem Of The Ocean, Coming Home), The Matrix (StickFly), The Odyssey, The Road, Williamstown Theatre Festival, True Colors. AWARDS; 07 LA Drama Critics’ Circle Career Achievement Award, the ‘09 Backstage West Award, ‘09 NAACP Theatre Award. EVENTS; “The American Black Film Fest.”, “St. Lucia Jazz Fest.,” ‘Trinidad Jazz Fest.” DANCE; Alvin Ailey Repertory, Jubilation, Indiana Repertory Company and The Williamstown Theatre Festival. He’s worked on productions from “Fiddler on the Roof,” to “Tambourines to Glory.” TELEVISION: “President Clinton: Live at the White House,” 1996 Centennial Olympic Games-competition & press areas, “The Answer Is You (PBS),” “Black Movie Awards (TNT),” John Leguizamo’s “Freak,” for HBO’s broadcast,” “Dinner & A Movie (TBS),” “The Source Awards,” “The Stellar Awards,” “Comic View,” “106 & Park,” Jamie Foxx’s “Laffapalooza (Showtime),” “The Tom Joyner Show.” FILM DIRECTORS; Spike Lee, Hype Williams, Nick Castle. MUSIC VIDEOS; Michael Jackson, P. Diddy, Notorious B.I.G., R. Kelly, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Branford Marsalis, Me’Shell N’degeocello, TLC, The Indigo Girls, Boyz II Men. VENUES; Carnegie Hall, Kodak Theatre, Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Apollo Theatre & The White House, as well as eight countries and three continents. EDUCATION; BFA/Howard U. Scholarship studies/NYU-Tisch. www.in2light.tv
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
