artist SPOTLIGHT | Christopher Decker
One of our summer delights is the Clear Space Theatre Company’s summer rep season. I had the pleasure of interviewing one of their creative talents—the delightful Christopher Decker.
Doug Yetter: When did you become interested in theatre and where did you receive your training?
Christopher Decker: I’ve been interested in performing for as long as I can remember. As a young boy, my mother would take me to her church choir rehearsals—by age four I was singing along with the contemporary choir. I got the theatre bug in fifth grade after performing in my first musical, Godspell. I received a vocal scholarship in high school and studied voice with private vocal coaches. I also briefly studied musical theatre at the Catholic University of America.
DY: How long have you been with Clear Space?
CD: I started with their Musical Theatre Summer Intensive—Guys and Dolls—in 2011 and returned almost every summer. I came back professionally at the end of 2019—right before COVID struck.
DY: What shows are you in this summer?
CD: Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the role of Jesus, as well as my one-man Gay Cabaret—Just the Tip—playing select Fridays and Saturdays all summer long.
DY: How did Just the Tip evolve?
CD: It started a year or two ago. I’ve frequently been told I was too flamboyant—that no one would believe me as a straight man—and they were right. Most of the roles I would love to play are female. After seeing amazing queer performers living their truth and unapologetically being themselves, I wanted to create a show where I could be, say, or SING whatever I wanted. I have a life story that is funny and entertaining—while belting my face off.
DY: Favorite roles?
CD: That’s like asking to pick a favorite child! Frank N’ Furter in Rocky Horror—one of my first adult roles where I was unapologetically gay. Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors—a dream role of mine. As a little kid watching the movie, pretending to be all the roles…. Who am I kidding? I wanted to be Audrey…but Seymour was so much fun!
DY: You’re also costuming the shows?
CD: I designed Kinky Boots and SpongeBob the Musical. Monster shows to create and build, but I love adding sparkle and flare to costumes. We had three weeks to get these shows up and on their feet, and create costumes and have them fitted and ready to go. I didn’t see my bed much for the month of June.
DY: Define success.
CD: Never accepting a limit. I’ve hit many roadblocks in life—my health, personal relationships with family and others, battling my own internal struggles…. Not allowing those things to define me and to keep going. That’s my success.
DY: Anything else?
CD: Come see my one-man show—Just the Tip—at Clear Space. And be the reason someone smiles today.
For a complete listing of shows, visit clearspacetheatre.org. ▼
Doug Yetter is the Artistic & Musical Director for CAMP Rehoboth Chorus and Director of Music Ministries at Epworth United Methodist Church. You can reach him at dougyetter@gmail.com.