Orlando Arts Magazine

Chris Jorie is seemingly everywhere. The former Artistic Director of Orlando Repertory Theatre recently returned to Orlando after directing the March premiere of SAVAGES on Theatre Row in New York City. It was not the first time Jorie directed the play. Writer Anne Nelson brought SAVAGES to Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival's Playfest in February where Jorie directed it. He also directed three different productions of her post 9-11 work, The Guys. Nelson, impressed with Jorie's work, asked him to take on SAVAGES for the off-Broadway premiere.

"The work on SAVAGES coincided with the death of my father, so I found the whole experience extraordinary, yet bittersweet,"says Jorie. "It has moved me to be content to just take things one day at a time."

Originally form New York, Jorie majored in Theatre Arts at SUNY Fredonia, and graduated fro San Francisco State University where he completed Cum Laude a special major program entitled Dramatic Concepts in Social Responsibility. Since, he's worked with some well-known talents, as wel as appeared in or directed many off-Broadway and regional works. In Los Angeles, Jorie's play The Spirit In My Soul has been touring area after-school programs for three years. It concerns America's struggle for civil rights and bridges the lives of Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. Closer to home, where he continues his relationship with Orlando Repertory Theatre as a freelancer, Jorie is directing Arlene Hutton's See Rock City for the Theatre April 28-May14. Next, Jorie heads to LA to prepare for screen directing.