Perspectives: Blair

Hello friends!

I'm so glad to introduce you all to another one of my lovely friends here at the Conservatory. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Blair Christie! 

I'm honored to call Blair a friend. She is genuinely one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I've ever known. She is constantly doing little things for others to let them know that she's thinking of them. And she also knows how to be silly and have a good time. Her impersonation of a "proper southern belle" always makes me laugh. Along with her heart of gold, she has been blessed with an incredible singing voice. I love listening to her perform and look forward to more of that this year. 

In the following post, I asked Blair to give us her perspective on her time at Sight & Sound thus far. I've added a few photos, so captions are from me. But the words are hers and I deeply appreciate the fact that she took the time to write in!

I hope you enjoy reading about the Conservatory from Blair's point of view! 

Hello to everyone reading this!

First and foremost, I consider it a pure joy to know Kinsey, to study and perform with Kinsey and especially be inspired by her. She is a true example of peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Iron definitely sharpens iron and I am so thankful to have her iron sharpening mine. She is one of those people that, after spending time with her, you leave being better than you were when you first came. Her eyes project peace, her words uplift and her heart radiates kindness. For that, I am extremely thankful to God.

My name is Blair Christie and I am the momma bear of the bunch. I am one of the 12 Conservatory students at Sight & Sound this year and the eldest of the group. I moved to Lancaster, PA from the Carolinas. I grew up in Mooresville, NC but have lived in Charleston, SC since I graduated college.

This is somewhat of a quarter-life career start over for me. Performing is always what I desired to do with my life but I was always scared to pursue it. I was afraid of rejection, or of someone taking away the one thing that I knew I was good at: Singing. I grew up taking dance since I was 2 and singing in choirs that toured around the US. I sang with an Opera company out of Charlotte, NC and then went to Erskine College in Due West, SC. I majored in Music- Vocal Performance and Special Education. I went the special education route because it was the safe and more realistic adult decision for my life rather than a career as a singer.

The Lord has been working in my heart since I graduated college in 2008 and has draw me more and more into Himself. As He is drawing, I am finding that He is giving me second chances to explore and relish in the talents, dreams and passions that He has given me. I am so thankful that His goodness and love for me has led me here to Sight & Sound. Truly, without divulging my whole life story and abusing this honor to write in Kinsey’s blog, all I can say is…. God has me here to restore my life and to heal me. I truly believe that the Lord brought me here to heal some festering wounds from decisions on my part and uncaring, abusive decisions that others made. I truly am so thankful to be in such a loving place to learn, pursue the gifts and talents God gave me, and to have time to heal and figure out more and more about God’s character and his devout faithfulness to this undeserving daughter of His. 

Blair performing in Sleeping Beauty and the Magic Spell. She is the furthest to the right. 

Being here has been so wonderfully thrilling, daunting, exciting, and terrifying all at once. I decided at age 30 to quit my safe job and walk away to spend a year studying and performing at a theatre with 11 young adults who are a good chunk younger than me, and to live in a city where I knew basically no one. During my time here I would not have any income to continue providing for the things that, unfortunately, do not go away just because you choose to hone your craft in a conservatory environment. 

It has been a great exercise in learning to trust the Lord as He literally has to meet my needs financially for food, health insurance, car, housing, etc., while trying to pour every ounce of heart and hard work into every opportunity I am given. The Lord has been graciously faithful to me to meet my needs and refresh my soul with his gentle spirit. 

The Conservatory experience has already taught me so very much and has stretched me in such wonderful ways. Of the 11 shows a week, we perform at least 9 of those. When we are off, we are diving into shadowing and working with other departments, reading plays for independent study, and doing all our homework for our current classes which include: Viewpoints, Improv, Speech, Sight Singing, Singing for the Stage, Discipleship, Acting, Ballet and Musical Theatre Dance.

Our teachers are so kind and wonderful. They truly want to see us succeed and grow, but they do it with the kindness and compassion of Jesus. This is really refreshing after spending the summer studying at a secular professional musical theatre conservatory in NYC. 

Blair doing a fantastic improv scene with Emma. 

Rehearsal process for Jonah, leading into opening our show for the public, was such an eye opening experience of just what a wonderful place Sight & Sound really is. We got a glimpse of all the work that goes on in the background from back stage, deckhands, stage managers, costumes, makeup and hair, to the hardworking sales dept, janitorial staff, etc.  

It’s mind boggling to think about what all happens, how fast it happens and the beauty of the heart with which it happens. All of this is so that the patrons that fill our seats may have an experience that truly touches their soul, prompts their hearts to reach out to Christ and, we pray, will ultimately change their eternity. It’s a blessing and honor to be a part of it and more times than not I feel extremely unworthy to be here. But I am so thankful that God chose this place for me. 

I am enjoying it all, even in the moments where I am cranky, tired, or facing something that pushes me out of my comfort zone or may even scare me (like driving the fisherman boats!) Sometimes, I find myself in the middle of a show just saying “Thank you God. I am so glad I’m here” -- Usually that happens during the storm scene when I am a wave puppeteer, as well as the Ocean scene when the Whale rushes over the crowd and I get to hear the cheers, and “oohs & ahhs” from the house!

Blair and her double cast partner Gabbi, all ready for the top of the show! 

Above all, my absolute joy so far this year has been being a part of ASM-- After Show Ministry. After each show, the patrons are invited to come up the front for prayer for anything they may need prayer for or to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ. So far, I have had the great privilege to pray for 4 different families and it has been truly beautiful to help carry their hearts, burdens, sorrows to the almighty King and to rush His throne room with thanksgiving and request to lay at His feet.

Most days we are at the theatre for 12 hours or more if we need to stay longer. Then I usually leave and go home and do homework and try to do some work where ever possible to make some income. Amongst all that mixed in with exhaustion and sometimes hanger (Hungry anger! lol), It can be really easy to lose focus on what matters most and what we are here for. ASM truly keeps me in true perspective. I am so very thankful and look forward to covering many families in prayer.

I pray that the Lord continues to work in all of our hearts cast, employees and patrons alike as He is faithful to complete the work that He has already begun in us! God bless!

Blair Christie