Acting awakens our instrument and allows us to experience a wide range of the human condition. Theatre opens the door to voluntary play and creative expression. It’s fun and meaningful to make theatre.
I’m compelled by stories with universal resonance and unique perspectives. I’m fascinated by our relationship with consciousness and drawn to the spiritual roots and transformative power of live theatre.
Bio: Chris Harder (AEA, SAG/AFTRA) is a two-time Drammy Award winner and twice Regional Arts and Culture Council grant recipient. He is a faculty member with The Actors Conservatory, an accredited two-year actor training program in Portland, OR. He was a Resident Artist with Artists Repertory Theatre (2014-2022), as a theatre ambassador, performing in numerous productions, new play development and outreach education. He was an original member of the Sowelu Theatre Ensemble (1998 – 2004) acting and working in all areas of production, training in weekly ensemble workshops, studying Meisner Technique with Barry Hunt (via William Esper,) Viewpoints (Kim Weild & SITI Co) and practicing physical awareness and movement techniques.
Through Sowelu Prison Outreach Chris led residencies with adults at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and Columbia River Correctional Institution. He was an ongoing mentor with The Haven Project, Sojourn Afield, and Playwrite Inc. where he coached young writers in creating short plays. Chris developed original plays and taught classes for many years with Oregon Children’s Theatre, Portland Center Stage, The Young players and a number of Oregon and Washington Public Schools. At Artists Rep Chris was an Actor To Go, and the Interim Director of Education in 2007.
Chris has performed in numerous professional plays, readings and new play workshops. He has developed two original solo shows (The Centering, Fishing For My Father) and toured to Edmonton and Boulder International Fringe Festivals. For years he developed routines and performed as a Comedy Magician, Hypnotist, Clown and Emcee at over 1,000 events. He has worked on-camera in numerous commercial, film, and television productions. (IMDB)
Chris is married to actress Val Landrum and is an avid fisherman originally from Racine, Wisconsin.
