Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christian Alexander . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christian , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my newest play, ELASTIC MIND. The play is so important to me because I’ve been trying to self-produce the play since 2020. I’ve had 2 productions be cancelled prior to my new run in Chicago. Even the Chicago run has had some substantial complications. However, this story is so beautiful and nothing makes me happier than watching a group of talented actors make my dreams real.

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?

My name is Christian “Spade” Alexander. I’m an actor, director, playwright, theatre producer, and founder of the Campfire Repertory Theatre in Chicago. I believe what sets us apart is our mission – with a polished ensemble, CRT’s mission is to create meaningful theatre and spaces, generated from an authentic link to the community- that engages and highlights the Greater Chicago area’s diversity, humanity, and unique voices.

I got my start in Atlanta, working at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theater as a director’s apprentice and dramaturg. I did that while attending Clark Atlanta University and majoring in Theatre Arts. It was at CAU, I started y 1st theatre company Dynamite Theatre where I produced my 1st play, Love & Other Things That Kill, and held many acting and dance classes for students.

I moved to Chicago after graduating at founded CRT, producing another original world premiere play, Elastic Mind which ended up being 4-star highly recommended.

I’m most proud of the fact that I, with Campfire Repertory Theatre, have been able to hold space for authentic stories to be told with great BIPOC, women, queer, and underrepresented artists. And we’re going to continue to tell authentic stories from an authentic place with deserving and talented artists.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Community Community Community. This is by far the greatest resource there is. When artists lean on the community, the community will support them – so long as the artist supports the community.

This became especially true moving from the base in Atlanta to Chicago. At the end of the day, when these plays are mounted, it’s not about the grad school that developed it, the foundation that commissioned it, or the theatre company that’s producing it.

It all comes down to the bottoms in the seats. And no one shows up where they’re not wanted. So at CRT, we make it a point to support and lean on my community – the greatest resource there is.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding thing for an artist may just be that people are interacting with their art. I have friends that rap and I bump their songs. I have friends that paint, model, and photograph- I have their work in my home. My point is becoming super famous or rich is an accomplishment that not many artists reach but most artists are held to as a standard for success, But people buy tickets to see plays. They get babysitters and take off work to see my plays. And if an artist has people downloading their videos, people tweeting your t-shirt drops, or driving through snow and rain to hear your band play for example- you’re living the dream. Support your local artists. We need it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/campfirerep
• Instagram: @spadeknows & @campfirerepertory
• Facebook: campfirerepertory
• Twitter: @spadeknows & @campfirerep