Christian Harris. Photo courtesy of MET.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre is currently presenting “Clyde’s” by Lynn Nottage, directed by Rikki Howe.
Clyde’s, a truck stop sandwich shop, offers its misfit kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose, and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. From the writer of “Sweat” and “Intimate Apparel.”
Christian Harris (Dramaturg) is a DMV-based actor and dramaturg. He is excited to work with MET currently as a dramaturg. He is a recent graduate from Hofstra University. Local credits include “Sense and Sensibility” with MET, and Endangered Species Theatre’s “Calling Dr. Freud.” Christian would like to thank his parents, family, and friends for always supporting him.
Tell us more about your background and when you knew you wanted to get involved with theater.
I’m from Colesville, MD and grew up there a good majority of my life. While in high school, I was a cross country/track runner before I had any interest in theater and acting. I graduated college last May from Hofstra University. I was a double major in drama and mass media studies with honors. I discovered I wanted to get involved with theater my senior year of high school. I had a friend during my junior year who suggested to audition because he thought I’d be a good fit. Before my school held auditions, I was auditioning for voice acting projects on a website called castingcallclub. I was so much more interested in voice acting over live performance, but after getting cast my senior year in the show “Company”, I’ve been stuck on the theater ever since.
Tell us what a dramaturg does and how that role is important to a production.
The answer may differ from dramaturg to dramaturg but the general job is to be the “expert” of the play. We prepare resources to assist, elevate, and improve the production’s crew and actors work in the production. For example, I was assigned to find examples of lighting design and set design ideas to provide to the respective designers in case they didn’t have plans or ideas yet. During my research, I found podcasts and articles that shared anecdotes and exercises that could teach and inform the actors about being incarcerated to improve their understanding of the formerly incarcerated characters they play.
It seems unusual to be both actor and dramaturg? Which do you prefer?
Is it unusual to be an actor and dramaturg? If so then I’m glad because being unusual helps you stand out more. I will say, given that I have more acting experience than dramaturgy, I prefer acting. I do think there’s a world or timeline where my opinion can change.
Tell us what you discovered about “Clyde’s” and what should audiences take away from the play.
The biggest thing I discovered about “Clyde’s” was the struggles that formerly incarcerated people have to endure in order to return to society. The show touches on the struggles, obviously, but you aren’t getting the full picture just from watching the show. So I think what audiences should take away is recognizing and appreciating a group of people they may not have given time to before, and to use the show as a jumping off point to learn more about incarcerated people and make room in their hearts for them.
What are your plans and dreams for the future now that you have graduated?
The hope is to continue to immerse myself in the arts—to keep acting and keep finding dramaturgy opportunities. I’d also love to have a job as a media researcher, so I have some portfolio building to do. Oh, I’m also a playwright, so a famous play with my name on it would also be a dream of mine.
“Clyde’s” runs through June 15, 2025 at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21701. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
