My Career

While pursuing a career performing onstage throughout New York City, I became the Administrative Director of the Trinity College/La MaMa Performing Arts Program. I taught on the faculty of Trinity's Theatre & Dance department and for the Hartford chapter of the I Have a Dream program. After 11 years running Trinity/La MaMa, I became the Director of Recruitment for the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT. Immediately following the O'Neill, I moved to the Drama department at NYU Tisch School of the Arts to oversee their artistic review process for 3,000 applicants annually.

In my role as designer, producer and host of the audition process for the largest undergraduate theatre department in the world, I welcomed 25,000 young theatre artists to their artistic reviews in my time at NYU. I auditioned thousands of applicants myself and served as an academic advisor for hundreds of students once they joined the department. I enjoyed watching them develop as artists and take great pride in their successes in the field as they become the future of this art form.

I am currently President of the Board of The Other Side of Silence (TOSOS), New York City’s oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theatre company. The company is dedicated to preserving the theatrical heritage of the LGBTQIA+ community through the development of new plays by emerging artists as well as revivals of established works. (Read my article about the history of TOSOS!) I also serve on the Board of Mare Nostrum Elements (MNE), which is dedicated to the expression of human emotion through dance, theatre and movement. Not only does MNE provide artistic programming for children at underserved elementary schools here in New York City, but it produces an annual Emerging Choreographer Series which invites young dancemakers from around the world into a comprehensive weeks-long mentorship program.

I am a member of Film Independent, whose mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. I am also a member of NewFest, which produces New York’s LGBTQIA+ Film Festival and ensures that stories of LGBTQIA+ people are created, shared and protected.

Along with theatre, film and education, I am passionate about music, dance, art, language, architecture, New York City history, nature, and exploring this amazing planet.

WORKSHOPS

Do You Have a Million Questions about Artistic Review?
Mumbai, India
I led a conversation to demystify this process for high school students (and their parents) who are applying to arts programs in the U.S. I discussed the rigors of professional artistic training, interviewed a current student who just completed her drama artistic reviews, and spoke with recent NYU Tisch Drama alumni who are out in the world making their way in the field.

Preparing for your College Audition
Mumbai, India
I led a conversation to demystify the college audition process for a limited number of high school students who were applying to schools in the U.S. for drama. I discussed the mechanics of auditioning—from what to wear to how to prepare and perform a monologue—and invited parents to join for Q&A at the end.

College Musical Theater Audition Workshop
San Mateo, CA
I co-hosted a college audition workshop in the San Francisco area with Dr. Elizabeth Stone of Campanile College Consulting. Along with other professional colleagues, we walked students through the three parts of the college musical theater audition: dance, singing and acting evaluations.

WEBINARS and PODCASTS

A Crash Course in Applying to School for Theater 
I joined Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy, for a free webinar about the college artistic review process.

College Admissions/Auditions for Theater Kids
Facebook Live Event for Grown and Flown (2019)
Join this special LIVE event: An interview with Guest Expert Chris Andersson, former Admissions Director for the Drama department at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Chris will inform you on everything you need to know on how to get your student ready for drama auditions and performance majors. Learn about auditions, deadlines, requirements and materials needed. Watch the Facebook Live event!

How an IECA Member Helps Families with the College Admissions Process
Video for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) (2018) Watch the video!

Choosing the Right Path as a Visual or Performing Arts Student
Webinar for Guided Path Professional Development Series (2017)
Students interested in pursuing a path in college as a visual or performing arts major have lots of choices to make. Cyndy McDonald from Guided Path interviews Chris Andersson, Theater Education Specialist. Watch the webinar!

College to Career Acting: College Admissions Series with guest Chris Andersson
HurryUpAndWait Podcast for CTC Acting (2014)

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

All the World’s a Stage but It’s an Odyssey to Apply

The Performing Arts Application Timeline
(HECA Providence 2019) [co-creator/co-presenter]

How to Audition for Drama School: West Coast Edition (IECA Los Angeles 2018) [creator/moderator/panelist]

Guiding the LGBTQ+ College Search
(IECA Los Angeles 2018) [co-presenter/panelist]

10 Tips to Discern Between College Capacity and College Readiness (IECA Los Angeles 2018) [panelist]

Advising Students from Asia: Guiding Families Beyond the US News & World Report Top 50 (IECA Los Angeles 2018) [panelist]

Actors and Singers and Dancers, Oh, My!: A Performing Arts Roundtable Discussion (HECA Dallas 2018) [panelist]

How to Audition for Drama School: East Coast Edition (IECA Washington DC 2017) [creator/moderator/panelist]

Arts Colleges of the South
(IECA New Orleans 2016) [creator/moderator]

Demystifying the College Audition Process
(IECA Boston 2016) [creator/moderator/panelist]

PUBLIC SPEAKING

College Admissions Consulting Resources - Arts Module (UC Irvine’s Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program) (2018-present) [guest speaker for faculty member Kristina Dooley]

College Choices for the Visual and Performing Arts (2017 NACAC Los Angeles Performing & Visual Arts Fair) [panelist]

How to Guide Students to the Arts (2016 College Board Summer Institute for International Counselors) [panelist]

The Possibility Project: Empowering Teenagers to Create a Better World (2016-2017) [guest speaker]

CAP21 Summer High School Program’s College Recruitment Panel (2012-2016) [panelist]

ARTICLES

Essential Tips for Crushing Your Audition
College Essay Guy’s Essential Guide on How to Apply to Art School (2020)

How International Drama Students Audition for US Schools
IECA Insights Newsletter, Aug/Sept 2016, page 20

New York City Arts College Tour
IECA Insights Newsletter, June/July 2016, page 30

QUOTES

The College Audition: A Guide for High School Students Pursuing a Degree in Theatre
By Tim Evanicki with quote from Chris Andersson (2018)

4 Top Acting Schools Break Down the Muscle Behind Their ‘Mafia’
BACKSTAGE.COM By Benjamin Lindsay with quote from Chris Andersson (2016)

Top College Experts on What You Need to Know to Survive Your Performing Arts Freshman Year
PLAYBILL.COM By Robert Viagas with quote from Chris Andersson (2014)

The Secrets You Need to Know to Have a Successful Performing Arts College Audition
PLAYBILL.COM By Robert Viagas with quote from Chris Andersson (2014)

How Performing Arts Students Get an Edge on College With "Early Decision"/"Early Action"
PLAYBILL.EDU By Robert Viagas with quote from Chris Andersson (2014)

So You Think You Can Dance, Act or Draw? Tips for Performing and Visual Arts Applicants
ESTRELA CONSULTING By Kristina L. Dooley with quote from Chris Andersson (2013)

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

International ACAC Annual: Boston (SUM25)
International ACAC Regional: Prague (S25)
IECA Detroit (S25)
International ACAC Regional: São Paulo (S25)
IECA European Symposium: Glasgow (S25)
NYSACAC Conference (S24)
IECA Connecticut (S24)
IECA European Symposium: Madrid (S24)
IECA Tampa (F23)
IECA Seattle (S23)
IECA European Symposium: Milan (S23)
IECA San Diego (F22)
HECA Denver (S22)
IECA Philadelphia (S22)
IECA Virtual (F21)
NACAC Virtual (F21)
IECA Virtual (S21)
HECA Virtual (S21)
NACAC Virtual (F20)
IECA Virtual (F20)
International ACAC Virtual (2020)
IECA Virtual (S20)
IECA Atlanta (F19)
HECA Providence (S19)
IECA Chicago (S19)
IECA Los Angeles (F18)
NACAC Salt Lake City (F18)
HECA Dallas (S18)
IECA Austin (S18)
IECA Washington DC (F17)
HECA Long Beach (S17)
IECA Denver (S17)
IECA New Orleans (F16)
IECA Boston (S16)
IECA Scottsdale (F15)
NACAC San Diego (F15)
IECA Baltimore (S15)
IECA Orlando (F14)
IECA Indianapolis (S14)

All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome here.

Banner photo of New Zealand coast by Chris Andersson. Workshop and conference photos, courtesy of Chris Andersson.