We were lucky to catch up with Chris Rogers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chris , appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I first wanted to act at a very early age of 6 years old. I would always watch R rated movies (which I was not supposed to LOL) and music videos with my uncle and aunt. Watching these movies and videos sparked something in me where I could see myself playing characters and I would sometimes emulate things that I saw. I also loved to see people that I could relate to in terms of my skin color, the way I spoke and looked like that just gave me the passion to want to try this thing called “acting”.
I eventually tried my hand at an “Alice in Wonderland” play audition in Austin, TX at probably 7 years old. I wanted to play the Cheshire Cat for some reason. I guess he seemed cool and charming and felt I would be a great fit for. I thought I did great which any kid at that age would think but I did not make the cut. I was crushed! And I actually told myself I did not want to ever act or try to audition again. My mom tried to encourage me not to give up, but I didn’t want to hear that. It’s sad because we did not understand that rejection is part of the business and I could have done much more but we did not know how this works.
Fast Forward to 2018 and I starting praying asking God what my gifts were. He told me acting which I wrestled with because of the rejection I faced before as a child. I eventually said that if God wanted me to act, He would make a way and reveal also that this is the path I need to be on. Ever since that time I have went to educate myself in this craft to develop techniques and learn nuances to bring characters to life! So far I’ve done 4 plays and 5 movies and still going!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Once I realized that Acting was a gift, I knew I had to exercise my gift. At first I started at KD studios in Dallas, TX. I took an Intro to Acting class and it showed me that I could really pull acting off! Then I took an Advanced Acting Class at the school as well. After that, I went to an acting coach, Marlene Rostami at Standing Ovation Studios (SOS) where I learned scene study and how to audition for film. I’ve also studied at TBell Acting Studios to learn more about scene study and the Chubbuck technique that shows you how to embody your character and really become who you vision that character to be. In between this education, I have also done several workshops to refine my gift and stay sharp in my craft.
How I entered into the acting scene in Dallas was really divine and at the right time. My wife attended a play with our wedding coordinator that is like family to us in 2019 I believe. After the play, she met the director Corta that did a play called “But I’m Married” which he just finished making a movie about now. My wife wanted to know what are some tips or suggestions that Corta could give me since I was an inspiring actor at the time. He told her that he had a play coming up called “Perfect Marriage, Guily Pleasures” and that he had the perfect role for me. He said if I wanted to know if I would be interested in playing a husband. He gave his contact info to my wife and then I reached out and the rest is history. I did my first play and it was excellent! It popped my cherry into acting LOL! I know that sounds funny but that is a familiar term that’s used when you act in your first play. And it’s true because like your “first time” it’s an experience you cannot describe until you do it.
As far as what I currently deliver as an artist is being able to provoke thought and entertain the masses. I also write poetry where I have done spoken words at Open Mic performances and I post poems on social media. I used to do this thing called “28/29 Days of Love” every February and it was just something that inspired me to spread love and encourage other people during hard times. I would write a poem for each day in February.
What sets me apart from other people is my uniqueness and my attitude toward this craft. I don’t ever think that I have “arrived” and I never will in terms of learning new things about myself and what I can bring to each acting role I play. I am different from anyone else because how God made me and I don’t try to be anyone else but myself. I think that is the best thing I can bring to my roles because my nuances and how I would think a character would behave in a situation makes it intriguing.
For all of my followers and potential fans I hope that each time they see me on stage or behind the camera that every performance is believable and that they can relate to what the character is going through. I hope that in each role people can learn something about what to do or not do in a situation and invoke thought for change in a positive light. That is what I love about movies in general that it can inspire, not just entertain you.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think what is most rewarding being an artist is that you are a servant. You are serving your art to possibly help someone be inspired to do something they also wanted to do but was living in fear, or you may help someone through their healing while they are going through the roughest time in their life. It’s beautiful to know that you are giving love, hope, healing, wisdom, laughs or just whatever it may be to encourage others to keep pushing to overcome obstacles, face challenges, and work on being the best version of themselves.. Being an artist really isn’t so much about you than it is the person that is watching your performance. It’s really powerful!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I would like society to not be so judgmental and negative when speaking about our independent films because it’s hard to get a budget and find good actors that you need for each role. Also finding locations to film and deal with elements out of your control can make things difficult when you are filming a movie. I want people that are non-creatives to really see that we don’t have the big box office elements to create these stories for you so please watch our performances with grace and an open mind. We ALL have to start somewhere.
Also please support our films and watch them on Tubi or any streaming service! The more support we receive and constructive criticism helps to put us in those positions to make quality projects and also advance our career paths in film making.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mr_chris_rogers / Poetry page – iampoeticcee
- Facebook: Chris Rogers
- Other: Threads – mr_chris_rogers
