Chris Fritzges, MFA
Associate Professor of Theatre, Theatre Program Coordinator
Snow Fine Arts Center 219B
Educational Background:
M.F.A. in Drama (Acting) – University of Arkansas
B.A. in Fine Arts (Theatre Concentration) – Bethany College, WV
Personal Bio:
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chris Fritzges received his Bachelor of Arts from Bethany College, in West Virginia, and his Masters of Fine Arts in Drama from the University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville. He has been a full-time educator since 2000 and is currently a tenured Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Central Arkansas, where he teaches acting, voice for the actor, and directing. Trained as an actor, Chris has been performing for audiences for close to twenty years. Recent stage credits include performing in the first two seasons of Arkansas’ newest professional theatre, The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, as well as acting in various independent film projects in the area, including a supporting role in the University of Central Arkansas’ first feature length and award-winning film, Table at Luigi’s. He is also a director, having won a number of awards from the Kennedy Center / American College Theatre Festival. Some select shows he has directed include Urinetown, Getting Out, The Pillowman, Proof, One Flea Spare,and Lend Me A Tenor. An Arkansan for almost nine years, Chris resides in Conway, Arkansas with his wife and two sons.
Productions:
Actor – Theatre
ROLE PLAY COMPANY DIRECTOR YEAR
Paris Romeo & Juliet Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Jeffrey Frace 2008
Gonzolo The Tempest Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre David Alford 2008
The Barber Man a la Mancha Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Steven Flaa 2007
Flute/Thisbe Midsummer…Dream Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Jeffrey Frace 2007
Director – Theatre
Twelfth Night University of Central Arkansas 2008
The Pillowman University of Central Arkansas 2007
Picasso at the Lapin Agile University of Central Arkansas 2007
Wonder of the World University of Central Arkansas 2006
Les Liaisons Dangereuses University of Central Arkansas 2005
Proof University of Central Arkansas 2005
Jesus Christ Superstar University of Central Arkansas 2004
One Flea Spare University of Central Arkansas 2003
Pegora the Witch UCA Youth Theatre Program 2003
The Three Little Pigs University of Central Arkansas 2003
The Shape of Things University of Central Arkansas 2002
Writer/Actor – Theatre
Fayetteville Arts Festival 24-Hour Play Competition (September, 2007)
Film Acting
University of Central Arkansas summer film by Bruce Hutchinson
Abbey and Everything After (2005)
Voiceover
University of Central Arkansas award-winning documentary film
The Old Gray Lady (2005)
Subject: the history of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper
Presentations:
Workshops:
• “Playing Detective with Shakespeare: Solving the Mystery of Character Through Text”
Southwest Theatre and Film Association
Hot Springs, Arkansas (2008)
Kennedy Center / American College Theatre Festival
Huntsville, Texas (February, 2008)
“Playing Detective with Hamlet: Finding Character Through Language”
Arkansas Thespian Festival
Alma, Arkansas (January, 2008)
Organizations:
Actor’s Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC)
Voice and Speech Teachers Association (VASTA)
United Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA), Memphis, TN
Temporary Board Member and Secretary (’07 – ’08)
Arkansas Shakespeare Festival
Southwest Theatre and Film Association (SWTFA)
Arkansas Speech Communication Association (ASCA)
Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KC/ACTF)
Activities and Honors:
2007 – Director of The Pillowman
• Respondent’s Choice Award (American College Theatre Festival,
Region VI).
• Production awarded: Excellence in Directing and Set Design (ACTF state level).
2005 – Director of Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• Regional Committee Choice Award (American College Theatre Festival, Region VI).
• Production awarded: Excellence in Directing, Set Design, Costume Design, Light Design, and Sound Design (ACTF state level).
2003 – Director of One Flea Spare
• Received 1st Alternate to attend the American College Theatre Festival (Region VI Regional Festival).
• Director’s and Respondent’s Choice Award (ACTF state level)
• Production awarded: Excellence in Directing, Set Design, Costume Design, Ensemble Acting, Stage Management (ACTF state level).
2002– Director of The Shape of Things
• Invited to the American College Theatre Festival. Region VI, Regional Festival.