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meet Cristofer L. Davenport, actor
| ask. |
What were you doing before WSU? |
| CD |
In one weekend, my entire life changed. I was seeing a girl, and she broke up with me, and that devastated me. I was living with my best friend, who got a new job in Colorado Springs and was moving. My older brother and sisters already had their master’s, and they were advocates of education. I had just read an inspirational saying that said, “The end is often the beginning,” and I thought about it and said, “You know what, I have nothing here in Denver, so I am going to college.” So in 1999, at age 32, I came out here and started with the theater department. |
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| ask. |
Describe your family life growing up. What did your parents do? |
| CD |
They are now retired, but my dad was a car salesman, my mom worked for the IRS and had a schoolteaching job. They came from very humble beginnings, and we never had a lot of money. My sister just published a book. I was always the one in trouble. |
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| ask. |
Did you know you wanted to be an actor when you were a kid? |
| CD |
I would spend my Saturday morning chore money at the theater. All my life… I cannot think of a time that I didn’t want to be an actor. I even wanted to be a stuntman or a movie critic just to be in the business. |
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How long is the program (at Actors Studio Drama School) and do you get a master’s degree? |
| CD |
You do get a master’s degree, so I can always teach. The program is three years. The first year is finding yourself, the second is finding your character, and the third is introducing yourself to the professional world of stage and movies. The program is part of the Actors Studio, so I get to go there seven times a semester. I get to go to Broadway plays and movie premieres and be part of the Broadway play process. Celebrities teach and take classes with me. |
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| ask. |
What do you think you got out of WSU? |
| CD |
I feel like the theater department is family. They’ve shown me so much support; they even sent me a care package to New York. We’ve stayed in close contact. The main thing is friendships that will last a lifetime. |
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| ask. |
Any words of advice to kids who want to take acting lessons? |
| CD |
It is never too late. If I can come back at the age of 32 and do it, anyone can. I think if you want to pursue your dreams, you have to decide what it is you want. I think you have to look deep inside yourself to fi nd the steps to get there, and once you decide to do it, do it a hundred and bazillion percent. |
Subject: |
Arriving in NYC |
From: |
Cris Davenport |
Date: |
08/23/03 10:03 PM |
To: |
Gary Lindsey |
Hello Mr. Lindsey,
I left Denver Aug. 22 at 11:59 and arrived in New York at 5:30 a.m. exhausted but with enthusiasm and big dreams. As the welcome letter from Actor's Studio said, this is "the next phase of my life." I arrived at my new home and sat in the lobby for two hours until I was finally allowed to check into my room and meet the two new roommates. The room is not as plush as I had expected! I quickly realized I would have to adapt to my new surroundings quickly. It was not until I walked out the front door to ground zero, which is literally two minutes away, that I was able to breathe in the sounds and sites of New York, take a deep breath, and say I have truly arrived at the next phase of my life.
Take care,
Cris. |
Subject:
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Inside the Actors Studio |
From:
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Cris Davenport |
Date:
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08/30/03 2:17 AM |
To:
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Gary Lindsey |
Mr. Lindsey,
My introduction to Actors Studio included an inspirational introduction from James Lipton and another inspirational introduction by Ellen Burstyn. There were staff and faculty introductions, a week long orientation with the students, and presentation of our monologues and songs. The day of taping "Inside the Actors Studio" finally arrived Monday September 8. The taping will occur every other Monday, with guests including the entire cast and director of Lord of The Rings, Russell Crowe, and Hugh Jackman making his Broadway debut in The Boy from Oz.
The first guest of the season was Academy Award-winning actress, Barbra Streisand. James Lipton gave his customary introduction. Barbra Streisand entered to a standing ovation. Although the TV audience sees an hour of "Inside the Actors Studio," the taping actually runs from 7:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Depending on the guest, the taping can sometimes run longer. We sat for a few hours as James Lipton covered every detail of Barbra's life and her journey to fame. Afterwards, Actors Studio Drama School students stayed for a question-and-answer session. Of course, all of this will be edited down to 60 minutes.
Take care,
Cris.
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THE DAVENPORT FILE
Born and raised |
Denver, Colorado |
Military service |
Four years |
Came to WSU |
Age 32 |
Major |
Theatre |
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