Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Critt.
CJ, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In a multi-hyphenate world, I began as an actress, singer, and raconteur many moons ago in New York City, making my way to scores of TV commercials in the post-Mad Men days of the 1980’s when I also appeared on and off Broadway and discovered that I liked to write. I have lived in Oak Cliff since before it was a hipster enclave, and would commute back and forth to NYC via DFW airport. While living in Dallas, I started doing audiobooks in NYC, and have done over 150 popular titles of fiction. Now I teach local narration workshops at Real to Reel Studios in Big D, coach young actors at DAMPA in Snyder Plaza, and record wacky anime voices up in Flower Mound. I have voice students from Canada and I SKYPE with two lovely Russian actresses working diligently on their accent reduction. Next week, I go back to the studio to do the principal recording for an inspirational title, entitled Some Days You Dance, and in May, directed an audio book for a tome written in 1828, about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. So, now, I am on call as a director and voice coach for aspiring audiobook and voice actors, while writing full-length stage musicals. 16 years at Disney Radio as a staff writer and voice artist helped provide a stable source of creative employment as I pursued various passion projects. They closed their local station here a couple years back, freeing me up to get to a variety of new projects. Current efforts include gay gold-rush spoof, Those Muscle Bound Cowboys from Snake Pit Gulch and the beautifully scored, Elsie Janis and the Boys, about the Female Bob Hope of WWI. Area spoken word venues also beckon, as I have been a member of the Dallas Slam team, enjoy the Mad Swirl downtown, and Poets on X in Oak Cliff. A lifelong ham, at home on stage, some favorite roles include General Cartwright at the Dallas Theater Center and singing jazz with the Dallas Divas at Stoney’s Wine Lounge.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s all about making a choice of gratitude and finding joy. Without that, the forces of negativity and every day s*** that happens would defeat you. Being an artist is thrilling. But it is work. And it is a business. So, flexibility, gratitude and a bit of grit help a lot.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Known for my polished voice, professionalism, versatility, sense of humor and vast experience.
Need a good scriptwriter – commercial copy – pithy poem – sketch comedy? Yes, I can do that for you.
Want an MC, Narrator, skilled presenter in front of a crowd to announce your product, share your message, introduce the boss, and look and sound like they are having fun, doing it, that’s me.
Do you want a coach to help you present your audition, presentation, spiritual message, record your book or nail that public speech with great articulation, confidence, and poise? I can help with that.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The city arts organizations need an open entry for all area artists. Maybe not all the time, but at certain times a year, all artists should get a chance to show their work, audition for openings, be heard and considered.
Pricing:
- COACHING: New Students – $60.00 per hour, Returning or Referral Students $50.00 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: cjcritt.com
- Phone: 212-695-9349
- Email: cjcritt@mac.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
Image Credit:
CJ in solo stage show By Rail, photo by Holly Lackner, CJ with former NY Roommates 2006, Cast picture from a concert – WE GIVE ‘EM ELSIE, Contemporary Theater in Dallas – 2016. logo Elsie Janis and the Boys, Portrait photo by Dean Markham, Production still from Rocky Horror Show, international tour, 1980-81, New York City Skyline 2016
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