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Christopher McElroen

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BIO

Christopher McElroen is a New York based Producer and Director. He co-founded the Classical Theatre of Harlem and served as the organizations Executive Director from 1999 – 2009 where he produced forty-one productions yielding 18 AUDELCO Awards, 6 OBIE Awards, 2 Lucille Lortel Awards, a Drama Desk Award and CTH being named "1 of 8 theatres in America to Watch" by the Drama League. Christopher has directed over thirty professional productions including four world premieres, The Cherry Orchard with Wendell Pierce and Earle Hyman, an original adaptation of Richard Wright's novel Native Son, Marat/Sade with T. Ryder Smith and The Blacks: A Clown Show, which received four 2003 OBIE Awards and was named one of the ten best Off-Broadway productions of 2003 by The New York Times. Alongside visual artist Paul Chan and Creative Time, Christopher co-produced and directed Waiting for Godot in New Orleans, a community development through the arts initiative that staged Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot outdoors in the Lower Ninth Ward and Gentilly communities of post-Katrina New Orleans. The New York Times listed the project as one of the top ten national art events of 2007. The archives from the production have been acquired into the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and will be on exhibit at MOMA through September 2011. He had the honor of directing the world-premiere of 51st (dream) State, the final work of poet, musician and activist Sekou Sundiata. 51st (dream) State was a multimedia exploration of American Empire that premiered in New York at The Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival before touring internationally. In addition, Christopher has directed or guest lectured at Stanford University, Duke University, Purdue University, New York University, Dartmouth College, The Contemporary Arts Center Boston, The Walker Arts Center and The Museum of Modern Art, among others. He is currently working with Oscar nominee Oren Jacoby and The Ralph Ellison Estate on the world premiere stage adaptation of Ellison's prolific novel Invisible Man.

Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Executive Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Executive Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Executive Director
Founder
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Executive Director
Founder
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Founder/Executive Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
Executive Director
Founder

Awards and Nominations


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Director, Resident Play

Christopher McElroenInvisible Man

Videos

News


Review: FIGHT FOR AMERICA!, Stone Nest
by Franco Milazzo - Jun 19, 2025

On 6 January 2021, while the US Congress gathered in Washington DC to confirm Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America, a mob waited outside. Demanding that their leader Donald J Trump be returned to power, they stormed the Capitol building to confront the lawmakers.
World Premiere of FIGHT FOR AMERICA! Set for Stone Nest, London
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2025

Stone Nest and the american vicarious will present the world premiere of Fight for America!—a bold, genre-defying hybrid of immersive theatre, tabletop strategy, and political reflection—running Tuesday 10 June through Sunday 6 July at Stone Nest, London. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday 11 June at 7:00 PM.
Photos: First Look Of DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY At Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
by A.A. Cristi - May 6, 2025

Ebony Repertory Theatre, in association with the american vicarious (producing director Erica Laird), will present the West Coast premiere of DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY. Check out photos from the show.
FIGHT FOR AMERICA! Begins At Stone Nest In June
by A.A. Cristi - May 2, 2025

the american vicarious will returns to London's Stone Nest with the world premiere of Fight for America (FFA!), a genre-defying wargaming event that explores the gamification of American politics and the legacy of the Capitol riot. Running Tuesday 10 June to Sunday 6 July at Stone Nest London.
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY To Have West Coast Premiere At Ebony Repertory Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2025

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT), in association with the american vicarious (producing director Erica Laird), has announced the West Coast premiere of DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY.
Special Offer: DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY at Cortelyou Commons at DePaul University
by BWW Special Offer - Feb 20, 2025

Following critically acclaimed runs in New York City and London, TimeLine Theatre presents a site-specific, immersive Chicago premiere of the american vicarious’ imagining of the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr., on the occasion of the event’s 60th anniversary.
Photos: TimeLine Theatre Company Presents DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 1, 2025

This winter, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their legendary duel, TimeLine Theatre Company will present the Chicago premiere of the american vicarious’ Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley, adapted and directed by Christopher McElroen, January 29 - March 2, 2025. See photos from the production.
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS. BUCKLEY Comes to DePaul's Cortelyou Commons
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2024

Next winter, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their legendary duel, TimeLine Theatre Company will present the Chicago premiere of the american vicarious’ Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley.
Construction Begins on TimeLine Theatre Company's New Home in Uptown
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2024

TimeLine Theatre Company's capital campaign has raised nearly $40 million and its general contractor, Bulley & Andrews, has begun construction on the company’s future new home at 5035 N. Broadway, near the corner of Broadway and Argyle, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
TimeLine Theatre Announces FAREWELLINGTON Events On Path To New Home In Uptown
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 11, 2024

TimeLine Theatre has announced 'FareWellington' events to celebrate its history at 615 W. Wellington Avenue as it prepares to move to a new location in Uptown.
World Premiere Of OUR AMERICAN QUEEN to be Presented at The Flea Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 16, 2024

The world premiere of OUR AMERICAN QUEEN, a new play by Thomas Klingenstein, directed by Christopher McElroen, will run at The Flea Theater in NY. Opening night is June 14.
TimeLine Theatre Closes 2024-25 Season With DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 18, 2024

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced details for the world premiere of Dhaba on Devon Avenue by Madhuri Shekar, directed by Chay Yew and presented in a co-production with Writers Theatre.
Timeline Theatre Company Announces FALSETTOS And More For 2024-25 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2024

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced a 28th season that offers a scope unprecedented in the company’s history.
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY Returns to the UK For Black History Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 27, 2023

DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY returns to the UK with performances at Bristol Old Vic and The Cambridge Union as part of Black History Month. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY to Conclude Five-Borough NYC Tour in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 12, 2023

 Following a 5-week run at Stone Nest in London’s West End, the american vicarious's Five-Borough NYC Tour of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley will conclude with two performances on May 13 at the Bronx River Art Center.
Review: DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY, Stone Nest
by Gary Naylor - Mar 22, 2023

Taut and razor-sharp verbatim adaptation of a famous debate from the 60s is entertaining and enlightening
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY to Have UK Premiere & Embark on 5-Borough New York Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2023

the american vicarious will present the UK Premiere along with additional details for its Five-Borough NYC Tour of their production of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley, a staging of the historic clash between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr.
DEBATE: BALDWIN VS BUCKLEY Comes to Stone Nest
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2023

Christopher McElroen directs the UK premiere of the critically acclaimed off-Broadway show, Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley - a powerful and thought-provoking verbatim staging of the historic clash between author and activist James Baldwin and conservative, political commentator William F. Buckley Jr.
Harlem Stage Announces Spring 2023 Programming Featuring THE VICKSBURG PROJECT World Premiere & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 13, 2022

Harlem Stage has announced full programming for Spring 2023, continuing its Black Arts Movement: Examined series examining the 1960s/70s cultural movement led by Black artists, activists, and intellectuals.
Gene Gillette Performs in Greece in ARTAUD/VAN GOGH, Now Playing!
by Stephi Wild - Nov 11, 2022

Broadway actor Gene Gillette is in Greece exclusively to perform the theatrical monologue 'Artaud/Van Gogh' under the direction of Ioli Andreadi in the Basement of the Art Theater “Karolos Koun” in Athens.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Christopher McElroen been nominated for?

and Outstanding Director, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Invisible Man.

What awards has Christopher McElroen won?

Christopher McElroen won the Outstanding Director, Resident Play award at the Helen Hayes Awards for Invisible Man.

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