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Chris’s Acting Up
Chris Berry works as a year tutor on the Creative Advertising course and has 20 years experience as in advertising as a copywriter. He fell into acting almost by accident. In September 2006, he took his step-son for an audition, and was asked if he would like to read for a part. Imagine his surprise when he was offered the lead part. He modestly declined it as he hadn’t even been on a stage up until this point. But the scene was set and he decided to go for the next round of auditions for a smaller supporting role that he felt comfortable with. He is now on his sixth play and his second lead role.
The latest play was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Chris played the lead role that Jack Nicholson plays in the film of McMurphy. He also helps them with all the promotion. This includes designing the posters and making sure they’re seen. He’s done such great job of it that they’ve increased ticket sales of Hebden Bridge Little Theatre in 12 months from 86% to 96%. He has another string to his bow which is producing audio description for the blind or visually impaired. This is one more reason why he is genuinely interested in what’s happening on stage. As he has to watch the performance meticulously three or four times, so that he can describe every detail for people who can’t see it for themselves.
During his career, Chris has moved from freelance to being employed a couple of times, but felt that he needed something a bit more cutting edge and challenging. He says that the job he has now, is everything he wished for and more. The relationship with his students benefits them all. They get Chris’s theory and experience and he has learnt so much about being creative.
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