Barbara Chisholm Faires 1708 Eva Street Austin, TX 78704 512-470-9897 [email protected]
Interests and Fields
I am a professional actor with over 30 years of professional experience at the nation’s premiere regional theaters. I have collaborated with some of the most influential, honored and well-respected directors in the field. In television and film I have worked with Academy Award and Emmy nominated and winning directors. As a producer, I have been at the helm of productions that have succeeded from artistic and financial standpoints. My experience and interest in teaching is in sparking creative impulses and interests in students who may not have had any previous theatre experience and helping them to apply their creativity to all of life’s endeavors.
Education/Training
BFA Program Drama/focus on Acting 1984 Catholic University of America Washington, D.C.
Meisner Study 2013- Brant Pope 2014
Voice/Classic Scene Study 2006 Catherine Weidner/Ellen O’Brien
Character/Scene Study 2004 Anna Deveare Smith
Viewpoints 1992 Anne Bogart
BA Drama Program 1979 University of Colorado Boulder, CO
Theatre Acting Experience
• Hamlet: A Found Footage Film; Past Is Prologue Productions 2020 Jennifer Sturley and Rosalind Faires, directors • The Music Man; A queer/gendered adaptation via zoom 2020 Hannah Wolf, director • Polly; New Play Development via zoom 2020 Corey Allen, director and playwright • Sense & Sensibility; The University of Texas at Austin* 2020 Laura Gordon, director (cancelled due to Covid) • Tiny Beautiful Things; Austin Playhouse, Austin, TX 2020 Rosalind Faires, director • hang; Horizon Line Theatre; Austin, TX 2019 Charles Ney, director • Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End; Bedford, NY 2019 David Esbjornson, director • Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End; The Barn Theater, Wilmar, MN 2019 David Esbjornson, director • The Goat; The University of Texas at Austin 2019 Adam Sussman, director • Spring Awakening; St. Edward’s University 2019 Danny Herman, director • The Battlefields of Clara Barton; The University of Texas at 2019 Austin; KJ Sanchez, director • Caesar; The University of Texas at Austin 2019 Quetta Carpenter, director • Stephen King’s Misery; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2018 Blake Robison, director • Three Quarter Inches of Sky; The Playwrights’ Center 2018 Minneapolis, MN. Madge Darlington, director • The How and The Why; UT MFA Director candidate thesis scene 2018 Graham Schmidt, director • Endgame; UT MFA Director candidate thesis scene 2018 Hannah Wolf; director • Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2017 David Esbjornson, director • The Daughter of the Regiment; Austin Opera 2017 Rod Caspers, director • The Totalitarians; Theatre en Bloc 2016 Jenny Lavery, director • Keep Your Forks; Berkeley Rep 2016 Eric Hoff, director • Fixing Timon of Athens; Rude Mechs 2016 Madge Darlington, director • Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End; Arena Stage 2015 David Esbjornson, director • Fixing King John; Rude Mechs 2013 Madge Darlington, director • 33 Variations; Zach Theatre 2013 Dave Steakley, director • Dividing the Estate; Zach Theatre 2012 Steven Dietz, director • Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins 2011 David Esbjornson, director • Celebrity Autobiography; The Long Center 2010 Eugene Pack & Dayle Reyfel, directors • Our Town, Zach Theatre 2010 Dave Steakley, director • Shooting Star, Zach Theatre 2009 Steven Dietz, director • The Clean House, Zach Theatre 2008 Dave Steakley, director • When Something Wonderful Ends; Red Then Productions 2008 Katie Pearl, director • Present Laughter; Zach Theatre 2007 Dave Steakley, director • 365 Plays/365 Days; Zach Theatre 2006 Dave Steakley, director • Keepin’ It Weird; Zach Theatre 2005 Dave Steakley, director • Blown Sideways Through Life; Zach Theatre 2005 Dave Steakley, director • House Arrest; Zach Theatre 2004 Dave Steakley, director • The Winter’s Tale; Austin Shakespeare 2004 Robert Faires, director • Orange; Refraction Arts 2003 Ron Berry, director • The Pavillion, Zach Theatre 2002 Dave Steakley, director • Stephen King’s Misery; Zach Theatre 2001 Ann Ciccolella, director • Hamlet, Austin Shakespeare 2001 Guy Roberts, director • Oliver; Austin Musical Theatre 2001 Scott Thompson, director • Abundance, Zach Theatre 2000 Robert Faires, director • Twelfth Night; Sneck Up 1999 Robert Faires, director • The Last Night of Ballyhoo; Zach Theatre 1998 Joe York, director • David’s Redhaired Death; Frontera 1997 Megan Monaghan Rivas, director • Ruthless! The Musical; Zach Theatre 1997 Dave Steakley, director • A Family Affair; The Public Domain 1996 Robi Polgar, director • Silence, Cunning, Exile; Frontera 1996 Vicki Boone, director • The Sisters Rosensweig, Zach Theatre 1995 Alice Wilson, director • Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) Cap City Playhouse 1995 Mark Ramont, director • Come Back to the 5 & Dime…; Cap City Playhouse 1994 Joe York, director • The Women; San Diego Repertory Theatre 1992 Anne Bogart, director • Our Town, Zach Theatre 1991 Jim Fritzler, director • The Well of Horniness; Big State Productions 1990 Jim Fritzler, director • Blithe Spirit; Zach Theatre 1990 Jackie Bromstedt, director • Top Girls; West Bank Productions 1989 Johanna Whitmore, director • Love’s Labours Lost 1989 Robert Faires, director • The Night of the Iguana; Cap City Playhouse 1989 Jessica Kubzansky, director • Josephine the Mouse Singer; Big State Productions 1988 Jim Fritzler, director • A Lie of the Mind; Subterranean Theatre 1988 Ken Webster, director • The Merry Wives of Windsor; Austin Shakespeare 1988 Bob Tolaro, director • Loot; Subterranean Theatre 1988 Ken Webster, director • The Perfect Party; Live Oak Productions 1987 Mac Williams, director • Einstein and the Polar Bear; Live Oak Productions 1987 Mac Williams, director • The Marriage of Bette and Boo; Subterranean Theatre 1987 Ken Webster, director • Season’s Greetings; Zach Theatre 1985 Mavourneen Dwyer, director • Come Back to the 5 & Dime…; Zach Theatre 1985 Mavourneen Dwyer, director • The Dining Room; Zach Theatre 1985 Mavourneen Dwyer, director • Women Behind Bars; Cap City Playhouse 1985 • Ken Johnson, director
Radio/Television/Film Acting Experience
• The Year That Broke Austin Radiolab, Producer (Peabody Award Winner for broadcast excellence) • Friday Night Lights (Primetime Emmy Award Nominee, Outstanding Drama Series) NBCUniversal; Peter Berg, director • American Crime (Primetime Emmy Award Nominee, Outstanding Limited Series, Writing for a Series) ABC; John Ridley, director (Academy Award winner, Best Adapted Screenplay) • Boyhood (Academy Award nominee Best Picture; Golden Globe Award Best Picture, Critics Choice Movie Award Best Picture; BAFTA Award Best Picture) IFC Productions; Richard Linklater, director (Academy Award Nominee, Best Director; Golden Globe Award Best Director; BAFTA Award Best Director) • Mr. Roosevelt (SXSW Audience Award Winner; Louis Black Lone Star Jury Award Winner; DIFF Texas Award) Relevator Productions; Noël Wells, director • Flocker Starveling Productions; Jayson Oaks, director • Fast Food Nation Fox Searchlight; Richard Linklater, director (Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or nominee) • Big Boy Willie Rockefeller Productions; Thomas Hackett, director • Broke Sky Buzzard Films; Thomas Callaway, director • Holy Hell R & B Films; Rafael Antonio Ruiz, director • Brotherly Love Red Dawn Productions; John Bryant, director • The Aviatrix TFF Films; Toddy Burton, director
• Attack of The Monster Bride Leslie Belt Productions; Vicki Boone, director • Never Leave Nevada South of Canada Productions; Steve Swartz, director
Producing Experience
• Crashing the Party By Josh Tobiessen; Barbara Chisholm, director Zoom May 25, 2020
• Grand Horizons By Bess Wohl; Barbara Chisholm, director Zoom May 14, 2020
• Witch By Jen Silverman; Barbara Chisholm, director Zoom May 3, 2020
• Shakespeare’s Henry V Adapted and performed by Robert Faires, Catherine Weidner, director New Orleans Shakespeare Festival June 25, 2019
• When Something Wonderful Ends By Sherry Kramer, Katie Pearl, director. Red Then Productions (a Rude Fusion production) May 15-June 1, 2008 The Off Center https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2008-05-23/627348/
• Shakespeare’s Henry V Adapted and performed by Robert Faires, Catherine Weidner, director Red Then Productions (a Rude Fusion production) June 2-25, 2009 The Off Center http://rudemechs.com/henry-v-opens-tomorrow-check-out-the-press/ https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/review-henry-v-by-red-then-productions/ http://blog.cambiareproductions.com/2009/07/05/men-of-few-affectations-are- the-best-men/ - .WV5SnGWCzww https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2009-07-17/810735/
• Shakespeare’s Henry V (remount) Red Then Productions (with Austin Shakespeare) September 5-14, 2014 The Rollins Theatre at the Long Center http://kut.org/post/robert-faires-takes-henry-v http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/event/detail/441867178/Robert_Faires_HENR Y_V http://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/Robert-Faires-HENRY-V-Begins- 95-at-Rollins-Studio-Theatre-20140829 https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2014-09-12/henry-v/
Teaching/Education Experience
• Lecturer: The University of Texas at Austin 2017- Department of Theatre & Dance present
• Instructor: Beginning Acting for Film & Stage 2016- The Actors’ School at Austin Community College 2017
• Guest Artist: The University of Texas at Austin 2017 The Bigot; Hannah Wolf, director
• Guest Artist: St. Edward’s University 2014 Tartuffe; David Long, director
• Guest Artist: St. Edward’s University 2013 The Importance of Being Earnest; Richard Robichaux, director
• Guest Artist: The University of Texas at Austin Nantasket, Christi Moore, director 1999
Honors
• 2018 Most Memorable Shows/Cincinnati CityBeat; Steven King’s Misery; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park • 2016 B. Iden Payne and Austin Critics Table Nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Comedy in The Totalitarians; Theatre en Bloc/Jenny Lavery, director • 2014 B. Iden Payne Award: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Drama Constance in Fixing King John; Rude Mechs/Madge Darlington, director • 2014 Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Readers’ Poll Winner Best Actor • 2013 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest; St. Edward’s University/Richard Robichaux, director • 2011 Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Readers’ Poll Winner Best Actor • 2011 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role Molly Ivins in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-ass Wit of Molly Ivins; Zach Theatre/David Esbjornson, director • 2008 Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Readers’ Poll Winner Best Actor • 2005 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Barbara in Blown Sideways Through Life; Zach Theatre/Dave Steakley, director • 1999 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Esther in Nantasket; UT Dept. of Theatre & Dance/Christi Moore, director • 1996 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Gorgeous Teitelbaum in The Sisters Rosensweig; Zach Theatre/Alice Wilson, director • 1995 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy B. Iden Payne Award: Best Featured Actress in a Comedy Desdemona & Mercutio in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet); Capital City Playhouse/Mark Ramont, director • 1994 Austin Critics Table Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Joanne in Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean; Live Oak Productions/Joe York, director • 1993 Dramalogue Award: Best Ensemble The Women; San Diego Repertory Theatre/Anne Bogart, director
Reviews and Press (select list)
Features
• CityBeat December 26, 2018 by Rick Pender Impactful Shows from Cincinnati Stages in 2018 https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/theater/article/21038605/impactful-shows- from-cincinnati-stages-in- 2018?fbclid=IwAR0FiRfoogkiPqXz6NyUOEM0PthOdGqmzZTCbnge2wVwLvfg C_of7v1aCQ8
• American Theatre Magazine November 15, 2016 by Eliza Bent Barbara Chisholm and Robert Faires Can’t Get Enough of Each Other http://www.americantheatre.org/2016/11/15/barbara-chisholm-and-robert-faires- cant-get-enough-of-each-other/
• LStyle/GStyle Celebrity Barbara Chisholm March 7 2011 by Christopher Carbonne http://207.200.18.19/sites/default/files/pdf/Barbara-Chisholm-LStyleGStyle- MarchApril2011.pdf
• Austin Woman Magazine cover Barbara Chisholm: A Shining Star in Austin’s Constellation December 2009 by Terri Schexnayder http://austinlivetheatre.blogspot.com/2009/12/arts-reporting-five-women-in- austin.html
• Austin Chronicle September 28, 2001 Most Valuable Players: A Guide to Austin Stage Actors By Robert Faires https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2001-09-28/83073/
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End (World Premiere) By Allison Engel and Margaret Engel
• CityBeat Stage Door: Say Farewell to Erma Bombeck June 23, 2017 by Rick Pender http://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/arts-desk/blog/20865693/stage-door-say- farewell-to-erma-bombeck-and-a-few-more-shows-or-catch-an-opera
• CityBeat Critic’s Pick: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Cincy Play May 15, 2017 by Erica Reid http://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/theater/article/20861480/celebrating-erma- bombecks-timeless-wit
• The Sappy Critic Review: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End May 13, 2017 by Kirk Sheppard http://new.thesappycritic.com/2017/05/13/review-erma-bombeck-at-wits-end/
• CityBeat One woman show reveals how humorous columnist Erma Bombeck made the ordinary extraordinary May 10, 2017 by Rick Pender http://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/theater/article/20861023/onewoman-show- reveals-how-humorous-columnist-erma-bombeck-made-the-ordinary- extraordinary
• Ohio Magazine The Wit and Wisdom of Erma Bombeck May 2017 by Linda Feagler https://www.ohiomagazine.com/arts/article/the-wit-and-wisdom-of-erma- bombeck
• Broadway World Cincinnati Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End Brings the Humor of a Favorite Author to Life at Cincinnati Playhouse April 13, 2017 by BWW News Desk http://www.broadwayworld.com/cincinnati/article/ERMA-BOMBECK-AT-WITS- END-Brings-the-Humor-of-a-Favorite-Author-to-Life-at-Cincinnati-Playhouse- 20170413
• Behind the Curtain Cincinnati Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End Brings the Humor of a Favorite Author to Life at Cincinnati Playhouse April 13, 2017 https://behindthecurtaincincy.com/2017/04/13/erma-bombeck-at-wits-end- brings-the-humor-of-a-favorite-author-to-life-at-cincinnati-playhouse/
• Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop 2016 Bombeck workshop keynoter http://humorwriters.org/2016-bombeck-workshop-keynoter-barbara-chisholm/
• Broadway World Washington, D.C. Barbara Chisholm to Lead Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage August 12, 2015 by BWW News Desk http://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Barbara-Chisholm-to- Lead-ERMA-BOMBECK-AT-WITS-END-at-Arena-Stage-20150812
• Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End Behind the Scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFdLeqaFFd0
• Theater Mania Barbara Chisholm to Star in Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage August 12, 2015 by Hayley Levitt http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc-theater/news/barbara-chisholm-to- star-in-erma-bombeck_73858.html
• The Baltimore Fishbowl The Original Desperate Housewife of Dayton, Ohio October 21, 2015 by Marion Winik http://www.baltimorefishbowl.com/stories/the-original-desperate-housewife-of- dayton-ohio/
• DC Theatre Scene Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage (review) October 23, 2015 by Jessica Pearson https://dctheatrescene.com/2015/10/23/erma-bombeck-at-wits-end-at-arena- stage-review/
• MD Theatre Guide Theatre Review: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage October 22, 2015 by Brian Bochicchio http://mdtheatreguide.com/2015/10/theatre-review-erma-bombeck-at-wits-end- at-arena-stage/
• Broadway World Washington BWW Review: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage October 26, 2015 by Heather Nadolny http://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/BWW-Review-ERMA- BOMBECK-AT-WITS-END-at-Arena-Stage-20151026
• Theater Mania Reviews: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End October 26, 2015 by Barbara Mackay http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc-theater/reviews/erma-bombeck-at- wits-end-arena-stage_74725.html
• DC Metro Theatre Arts The Women’s Voices Theater Festival Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Arena Stage October 22, 2015 by Wendi Winters http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2015/10/22/the-womens-voices-theater-festival- erma-bombeck-at-wits-end-at-arena-stage/
The Totalitarians by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
• CTX Live Theatre Preview September 2016 https://ctxlivetheatre.com/productions/the-totalitarians-by-theatre-en-bloc1/
• KUT Arts Eclectic September 20, 2016 by Mike Lee http://kut.org/post/see-totalitarians-center
• Broadway World Austin Review: The Totalitarians is Razor Sharp Side Splittingly Funny Satire September 12, 2016 by Frank Benge http://www.broadwayworld.com/austin/article/BWW-Review-THE- TOTALITARIANS-is-Razor-Sharp-Side-Splittingly-Funny-Satire-20160912
• Austin American-Statesman Theater Review: Theatre en Bloc’s ‘The Totalitarians’ a Hilarious Commentary on American Politics September 13, 2016 by Andrew Fridenthal http://arts.blog.austin360.com/2016/09/13/theater-review-theatre-en-blocs-the- totalitarians-a-hilarious-commentary-on-american-politics/
• CTX Live Theatre Review: The Totalitarians by Theatre en Bloc September 2016 by David Glen Robinson https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/review-the-totalitarians-by-theatre-en-bloc/
• The Austin Chronicle Theatre en Bloc’s The Totalitarians Review September 16, 2016 by Elizabeth Cobbe https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2016-09-16/the-totalitarians/
Fixing King John by Kirk Lynn (World Premiere)
• The Austin Chronicle Review: Fixing King John November 22, 2013 by Elizabeth Cobbe https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2013-11-22/fixing-king-john/
• The Austin American-Statesman Review: Fixing King John November 11, 2013 by Cate Blouke http://www.austin360.com/entertainment/arts--theater/review-fixing-king- john/pETu8e3VWHysbo0PjrH9kI/
• CTX Live Theatre Review: Fixing King John by Rude Mech November 2013 by Michael Meigs https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/review-fixing-king-john-by-rude-mechs/
• Arts + Culture TX Review: Fixing King John November 12, 2013 by Phillip John http://artsandculturetx.com/review-fixing-king-john/
• Academia.edu Review: Fixing King John November 2013 by Cason Murphy http://www.academia.edu/9443001/The_Rude_Mechs_Fixing_King_John_revie w_Texas_Theatre_Journal_10.1_2014_153-155
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins By Allison Engel and Margaret Engel
• NPR Molly Ivins: A Red Hot Patriot February 17, 2011 by Wade Goodwyn http://www.npr.org/2011/02/17/133847166/Molly-Ivins-A-Red-Hot-Patriot
• The New York Times Unsinkable Molly January 20, 2011 by Michael Hoinski http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/us/21ttgone.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=red%20 hot%20patriot&st=cse
• Austin Chronicle Best Beloveds January 28, 2011 by Amy Smith https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2011-01-28/best-beloveds/
• Austin American-Statesman Being Molly January 23, 2011 by Jeanne Claire van Ryzin https://www.pressreader.com/usa/austin-american-statesman- sunday/20110123/282501475087996
• Austin Chronicle Review: Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins February 4, 2011 by Avimaan Syam https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2011-02-04/red-hot-patriot-the-kick-ass- wit-of-molly-ivins/
• Austin American-Statesman Review: A Toast to the Late Molly Ivins by Claire Canavan January 31, 2011 https://www.pressreader.com/usa/austin-american- statesman/20110804/285855844764190
• Theater Jones Review: Red Hot and Blue January 31, 2011 by Alexandra Bonifield http://www.theaterjones.com/reviews/20110131073208/2011-01-31/Zach- Theatre/Red-Hot-Patriot-The-Kick-Ass-Wit-of-Molly-Ivins
Shooting Star by Steven Dietz (World Premiere)
• The Austin Chronicle Review: Shooting Star March 20, 2009 by Barry Pineo https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2009-03-20/756101/
• CTX Live Theatre Review: Shooting Star by Steven Dietz February 19, 2009 http://austinlivetheatre.blogspot.com/2009/02/shooting-star-by-steven-dietz- zach.html
Membership/Affiliations
• Actors’ Equity Association • Austin Creative Alliance • Peer Review Panelist Austin Arts Commission, City of Austin 2009
Service/Training
• Physical Plant Board Trustee 2015-present (President of Board 2016-present) • History of the Black Experience (2020) • Introduction to Organizational Communication (2020) • The Horton Foote Prize reading committee 2018 • The Horton Foote Prize reading committee 2020