I graduated with a BFA in Acting from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. While there, I also received a Minor in Voice from the University of Louisville School of Music. I started my dance training with the School of the Louisville Ballet.
Audition
To get into the School of Music, I sang “All for the Best” from Godspell. I have always loved vaudeville. A few years later, I rapped this song in a production in Cincinnati – when rap was just becoming mainstream.
My Teacher/Advisor at the UofL School of Music was Dr Henry “Hank” Buckwalter. He was also the Chair of the Voice Department. Hank trained at and graduated from Indiana University School of Music, known all over the world. He taught me basic, vocal production in a classical approach. He was very patient and wise knowing that my end goal is to be a Musical Theatre performer, not an Opera singer. Those are 2 very different professions. He protected me from some of the other staff who thought I didn’t belong there.
I wish I had spent more time learning harmony/Music Theory. I can do it, but I have to slow down and concentrate more than others, like my Mom. She is an Alto and just hears in harmony. I didn’t realize its importance until hanging out with rock-n-roll musicians.
Student Operas
I sang in several student productions while at UofL School of Music. Since I was viewed as more of an “actor”, than a singer, I was usually cast in roles that required more of an actor than a singer. I also had dance training, so I got cast in those roles also.
My favorite role was as Pittichinaccio in Tales of Hoffmann. This is the popular opera with the famous barcarolle, “Belle Nuit”.
Other memorable pieces include singing Mahler’s Symphony Number 2 (also known as the Resurrection Symphony) for Barry Bingham’s Celebration of Life (major Benefactor of the city) at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Afterwards, I ran offstage and had an emotional breakdown in the restroom.
This is very similar to the music played at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan when the ship carrying Spock’s dead body lands on the planet. We learn later he is resurrected in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. We talked about this in Music History (required class).
Kentucky Opera
My last year in school, I auditioned and was accepted into the Chorus of the Kentucky Opera. It was thrilling to be around other trained singers. I vividly remember Dr Buckwalter’s eyes popping out when I came in for a lesson after being around these other fantastic singers. He complimented me on my confidence.
I sang Il Trovatore with the Kentucky Opera and then also with Nashville Opera (2.5 hrs away). It was a fantastic experience that I learned a lot from. I grew a beard. Favorite moments include being downstage center and girls rubbing on me and then getting up to singing the famous Anvil Chorus as we made swords in preparation to go to war. I was imagining all the glorious killing I was going to do. The girls got really excited about that! 🙂
My Social Media links are at the bottom of every page.
From this website you can download Pictures, Headshots, Character and Body Shots, Behind the Scenes photos.
On the Resume‘ page, you can see some of the shows I’ve worked on.
On the Video page, are many reels from the various Film, TV, New Media, Industrial, and Theatre shows I have worked on. Many people call themselves an “actor”, but here you can actually see my work.
I have worked as a Bartender for longer than I want to admit. I can teach you how to make a proper Martini.
Of course, you will want to Contact me after watching all my video and reading this fabulous content.
There are many other Chris Rogers on IMDB, but I own the SAG-AFTRA name Chris Rogers. I tried to reserve the website name ChrisRogers dot com, but can’t because a writer in Texas owns that url.
