I had been taking drama classes in high school. Being Majorette Captain in marching band did not allow much time for anything else but my senior year brought about my first play audition. The play was Anything Goes. To my surprise I was cast as an angel alongside serious dancers and managed to hold my own. The director, a wonderful teacher, had a great deal of faith in me.
indieactivity: How did you become actor?
Christie: Passing by an audition notice in college about 15 minutes prior to the time, I decided since there was no majorette squad, I would go to the audition. That split decision changed everything. I was actually cast as a majorette in Talking With. I knew right then this was “a sign”. From that show on, I was hooked.
Hey All! Been so busy at work! Exhausted! #Thanks for the recent #follows ! #excited for #AUDITION tomorrow! 😄 pic.twitter.com/BfXHqFK7K7
— Christie (@christieajensen) December 7, 2016
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Christie: I would say Method Acting. I ask myself how I would feel in the character’s situation. I think about a time I felt pain, happiness, fear, anger. Or I put myself in a similar situation so I can actually feel what the character would feel. I also strongly believe in making things realistic. If there is desk, it should have items in the drawers as if it were an office. A purse should have items in it that you would carry. These enhancements create a realistic atmosphere so I can really be in the moment.
indieactivity: What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
Christie: It is not about being famous. It is a feeling in your heart. A feeling that it is the only thing you are meant to do. It is a strong need to perform and entertain people. A desire to create emotion in your audience. An actor wants to perform for small audiences as passionately as larger ones. It is also a job not a fantasy. Some folks have the misconception that wanting to act is wanting to be rich or have fame. The dedicated actors know it is a career as any other with ups and downs and above all you must be professional.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Christie: I have taken many classes over the last 30 years. I began in high school classes, continuing with being a theatre major in college and receiving my B.A. While living in Central Jersey I went to New York for film, television and theatre classes and when I moved to South Jersey attended film classes in Philadelphia. I have not taken any classes recently. When I do search for classes, I am finding they are ones I have already taken even if they were in another state. To spend money I do not have on repeat courses is not to my advantage at the moment.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Christie: Acting is Believing. Authors Charles McGaw and Larry D. Clark
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Christie: I have been part of the community theatre world since college. No matter where I move, I always become involved in the area theatres. I also make use of the internet and research as much as I can about acting. I pay attention to what popular working actors have to say about the business. I have also been researching monologues, commercials and songs to practice. I film and upload them to my youtube channel. This is my best way of keeping in practice while in between shows.
Christie Jensen as Violet Newstead in 9to5
indieactivity: When you’re offered a role, what do you do next?
Christie: I record my scenes (including the other parts) on a voice recorder to play repeatedly wherever I can. I look up the time period of the show and any behaviours pertinent to that period of time. I look up any unfamiliar words to learn their meaning or even known words to get an idea of how they are meant in the context of the lines. I research any historical figures, events or other information so I understand what is being talked about.
indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Christie: LOL! I have no idea! It really just comes to me naturally. The words that are written, the character description and a good director are all important of course. But the end result just happens. I put myself in the character’s shoes and go from there.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on set?
Christie: I tend to keep to m
Christie Jensen as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit
yself while in character. I rehearse my lines or sit quietly and focus on what is next. Anything I do, I stay in character. While it is possible for me to pop in and out of a character, it is much more fluent if I stay so I do not have to have a warm up period to where my character is at it’s best.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Christie: Mdm. Arcati in Blithe Spirit 2011 She was a hoot! You can watch her on my youtube channel.
indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Christie: Only one? LOL! I will go back to Anything Goes. As I said it was my first show. I was very upset coming offstage because my skirt fell off during a dance number! I had a bodysuit on but it was still embarrassing! The director firmly told me to march right back out there like nothing ever happened.She assured me the audience did not think as much of it as did I. After the next number, I checked the knot in my skirt, gave the okay sign and a huge smile out to the audience. They laughed and clapped! From that moment I was hooked on making mistakes funny. Audiences won’t know something doesn’t belong if you make it seem like it does.
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Christie: To trust in me and allow me the freedom to experiment. If something doesn’t work, honesty. Feeling like I can bring a character to life and do more than just go stage right or sit down when I am supposed to sit.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Christie: Johnny Depp.
indieactivity: Why?
Christie; He is my kind of character actor. He just let’s the character take over. He becomes the person not a caricature. I would love to play opposite him in a Pirates movie; to have great back and forth scenes with his Jack Sparrow.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Christie: Love what you are doing. Study and be serious about the art. Learn what to really expect and don’t be unrealistic. Just enjoy the craft.
Christie Jensen as Maria in Lend Me A Tenor
Briefly write about your career
It’s 30 years worth of shows so I will give you my favorites! I have become a full fledged character actor and I LOVE it!
- Arsenic & Old Lace: Abby Brewster
- Blithe Spirit: Madame Arcati
- 9to5: Violet Newstead
- Lend Me A Tenor: Maria
- Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?: Sister. Lee
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Sister Woman
- The Full Monty: Jeanette Burmeister
