Mrs. Chris Claus

CHRIS COLE HARRIS

A Georgia native and graduate of the University of Georgia, Chris Cole Harris has been seen in numerous feature film, episodic television and theatrical projects over the years, produced in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

A founding member of Los Angeles' Wednesday Evening Fine Arts League, she was a member of The Artist Group, and her background includes children's theatre in Atlanta in addition to being a member of several repertory groups and improvisational comedy workshops.

She worked on many television and film productions while at Warner Bros. as a Production Associate and Casting Coordinator for varied projects and studio producers (Warren Beatty, Richard Donner, David Wolper).

Upon her return to Atlanta, Chris worked as a drama associate with the education department at the Alliance Theatre, storytelling and teaching drama skills to children in local school systems with their ArtsConnect programming. She continues to be a drama instructor and fine arts specialist for numerous theaters, museums and community organizations throughout the Southeast, and has costumed several theatrical productions since her return to the Peach State.

After training at the Neighborhood Playhouse and at Playhouse West, Chris was seen in numerous feature film, episodic television and theatrical projects in Hollywood, among them N.Y.P.D. Blue, L.A. Law, The Antagonists, Generations, Divorce Court and Boating World.

Chris has been a drama instructor with Georgia Ensemble Theatre, teaching both Basic and Master classes for adolescents and adults, additionally teaching in their summer drama program and as a Community Outreach Specialist. As an associate with Create (aka Open City Theatre), she served as a drama and arts specialist with Imagine It!, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and performed in classroom workshops through Young Audiences, also in Atlanta.

She served as Director of Improvisational Street Theatre for Open City Theatre’s production of Nobody Dolls at the Spoletto International Arts Festival in Charleston, SC.

Chris is drama instructor and storyteller for Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, teaching adult, adolescent and juvenile acting, additionally presenting Spring and Summer Drama and Art Camps at Pinckneyville, George Pierce, Bogan Park, Dacula and Mountain View Community Centers. She also teaches art classes for young children, and in 1998 she was awarded Teacher of the Year recognition by the Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Department.

Chris is in great demand as a professional storyteller, especially known for her Mrs. Claus and friendly Halloween Witch personas, portraying them in character at numerous country clubs, scout gatherings, corporate parties and community centers throughout the greater Atlanta area. She is booked individually as Mrs. Claus, and also as a duo with her husband, Ed Harris, portraying Santa. Chris has also entertained children and adults as a storyteller and Special Projects Coordinator at Borders and Barnes & Noble stores in greater Atlanta.

Chris teaches drama classes at schools, art and community centers throughout the greater Atlanta area. In these classes, she groups actors according to ability and, with her younger students, by age to achieve the most from each actor. Techniques include improv, theatre games, cold readings - all the while stressing process over performance so as not to pressure actors into any personal timetable for their individual results.

She has taught or has been an Educational facilitator at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Imagine It! - The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Atlanta International Museum, Create, You Gotta Have Art, Open City Theatre, Pinckneyville Community Center, George Pierce Community Center, The Actors’ Edge, Johns Creek Arts Center, Family Keyboard Inc., Creative Studios of Atlanta, and at the Recreation Centers of both Roswell and Decatur, GA.