Behind the Sewing Machine
A native of Lima, Ohio, Charis holds a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in theatre with emphasis in costuming and voice. Charis has found a true passion for educational theatre, and finds the unique characteristics and challenges of working with students exciting and invigorating. Charis has experience as a costume designer, technician, wardrobe supervisor, teacher, coach, stage manager, and performer. As an artist, Charis believes whole heartedly in helping performers look and feel their best through the experience of the character, while giving them the tools to truly immerse themselves in the world of the production. As a teacher, Charis finds her true passion is in creating programs that support student ownership and execution of a production and program. When she's not working, Charis can often be found in the boxing or aerial gyms, or snuggling with Penelope, her shepherd-greyhound mix. Charis is based in Dayton.
Current Projects
-
Costuming Adjunct, University of Dayton
-
Costume Design: Seussical the Musical (opens March, 2023)
-
Grace United Methodist Church- Worship Arts Director
Training
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with emphasis in voice and costuming, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Awarded June 2012.
Costume Design
Radium Girls | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2022
C. Bennett, dir.
Echoes Through Time | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2022
M. Hayford & M. Daniel-Cox, dirs.
Simple Gifts | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |2022
J. Yorke, dir.
Radium Girls| Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2022
C. Bennett, dir.
The Sound of Music | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |2022
A. Chenoweth Wells & J. Yorke, dir.
Dancing in the Light | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |2022
A. Jones, dir.
Freaky Friday | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2022
D. Dunavent, dir.
Twas the Night Before Christmas | Columbus Vhildren's Theatre | Columbus, OH | 2021
K. Hopkins, dir.
Clue | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2021
C. Bennett, dir.
Puffs: Young Wizards Edition| Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2021
C. Bennett, dir.
Little Women | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2020
D. Dunavent, dir.
A Midsummer Night's Dream | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2019
M. Phillips, dir.
Hansel and Gretl | Utah State University| Logan, UT | 2019
E. Hood, dir.
Cinderella | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2019
D. Dunavent, dir.
A Murder is Announced | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2018
M. Phillips, dir.
Once On This Island | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH | 2018
D. Dunavent, dir.
Transparency | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |2018
A. Jones, dir.
Unfinished | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | 2018
M. Hayford & J. Yorke, dirs.
Tartuffe | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH |2017
C. Bennett, dir.
Godspell | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH | 2017
D. Dunavent, dir.
The Zombie Plays | Stivers School for the Arts | Dayton, OH | 2017
Gina Minyard & C. Harmon, dirs..
The Dining Room | Stivers School for the Arts | Dayton, OH | 2017
Gina Minyard, dir
Sherlock Holmes | Stivers School for the Arts | Dayton, OH | 2016
Gina Minyard, dir
The Odd Couple [Male&Female] | Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH | 2016
D. Dunavent, dir. & C. Bennett, dirs..
Footloose | Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH | 2015
Caitlin Bennett, dir.
After Juliet | Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH| 2015
Caitlin Bennett, dir.
Mary Poppins | Vandalia Youth Theatre | Vandalia, OH | 2015
Michael Wadham, dir.
Secret Garden | Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH | 2015
Derek Dunavent, dir.
You Can't Take It With You | Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH | 2014
Caitlin Bennett, dir.
Children of Eden| Chaminade Julienne High School | Dayton, OH | 2014
Derek Dunavent, dir.
The Magic Flute | Wright State University Music Department | Dayton, OH | 2014
Kim Warrick, dir.
Anything Goes | Stivers School for the Arts | Dayton, OH | 2014
Paula Powell, dir.
The Importance of Being Earnest | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School |
Dayton, OH| 2013
Caitlin Bennett, dir.
Race | The Human Race Theatre | Dayton, OH | 2013
Richard E. Hess, dir.
A Piece of My Heart | Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Dayton, OH | 2012
John Findley, dir
Wardrobe Mistress & Crew Work
The Lion King | Gazelle National Tour, local | 2016
Cindy Closser, Local Wardrobe Head
The Phantom of the Opera | Festival Playhouse, WSU | 2012
Brooke Townsend, SM
Hairspray | Festival Playhouse, WSU | 2011
Zavarie Irons, SM
WSU Arts Gala | Wright State University | 2011, 2012
Brooke Townsend, coordinator
WSU Dance Ensemble Concert | Festival Playhouse, WSU | 2011
Preston McCarthy, SM
42nd Street | Festival Playhouse, WSU | 2011
Michael Hickey, SM
Stage Management
Merchant of Venice | Free Shakespeare! | 2012
Chris Shea, dir.
Related Experience:
performance resume available upon request
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School | Study Hall Monitor | 2020-present
Grace United Methodist Church | Worship Arts Director | 2019-present
Columbus Children's Theatre | Academy Costume Design Instructor | 2020-2021
Kings Island | Head of Wardrobe for Live Entertainment | 2017-2019
Stivers School for the Arts | Costume & Makeup adjunct | 2016-2017 school year
Scenic Solutions | Soft Goods project facilitator | 2013 - 2017
Dayton Ballet | Shop Hand | Winter 2012
Wright State University Costume Shop | Shop Hand | 2010 - 2012
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp | Unit Director | 2010
Related Qualifications:
Stitching and patterning skills, trained on wigs and in various makeup techniques. Basic set and prop construction skills, reads music fluently, basic piano, strings and brass skills, valid Ohio driver’s license, elementary German, Spanish, Serbian and French speaking abilities. Additional pronunciation skills in Latin and Italian. 15 years of dance experience and terms, experience working with children, including valid State of Ohio Substitute teaching license. Basic stage combat experience, proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.