We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christian Wolf. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christian below.

Alright, Christian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As cliché as it sounds, I don’t think I chose to be in the arts but more that the arts chose me.
Ever since I was a child is was involved in some sort of performance. My first memory was putting together a dance and lip syncing for my parents in the living room. Then putting together “plays” which was more like planned playing, for the kids in the neighborhood.
It wasn’t until I discovered magic and acting that I really thought about a life as a performer. Knowing that the career path of either was challenging at best, I started a local theater group with the city’s Parks and Recreation department, which allowed me to teach, direct and produce.
This really informed my artistic sense and allowed me to use my training and interest in all the different aspects of the performing arts, so I didn’t have to pick just one path.

Christian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My background in the arts is as eclectic as they come. After putting on plays in his living room as a child I became a performing magician by age 12. I have worked as a performer (actor and magician), writer (3 produced plays, print and media copy, award winning video script), producer, director (over 30 shows plus special events, music videos and student films), presenter (25 years for venues from 199 to 1,500 seats), arts administrator, acting teacher, graphic designer and marketing professional.
Currently the Artistic/Executive Director for the Torrance Cultural Arts Center Foundation, I have also served on the board of directors for California Presenters, a state wide consortium of performing arts presenters and the Western Arts Alliance. In both organizations, I worked to mentor up and coming artists and arts professionals.
At the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, along with the many performances and events I curate, we produced the annual “South Bay’s Got Talent”. Now on its 10th year, SBGT gives the opportunity to performers of all ages to compete for the grand prize which includes a trophy, cash and entry into the World Championships of Performing Arts. The panel of judges for this event include touring performers, film directors, agents and managers.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

This is easy… buy tickets, see shows, and buy artist merchandise at concerts. It’s appalling that singers and songwriters make pennies on their music… if they are lucky enough to have it played or used. The number of artists/performers who are working at “day jobs” to support themselves and then playing gigs at night far outnumber those who are making a living at their art. Every little bit helps.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to help talented performers take back the control of their careers by helping to mentor and finding opportunities for them.
What I am doing at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation is helping to reach local artists, but with the help of a few friends in the business, we are currently looking at ways to bring tools to a national audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.torrancearts.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torrancearts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfworx or https://www.facebook.com/TorranceCulturalArtsFoundation/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfworx/