Meet Christian Wolf | Producer-Presenter-Director-Administrator o

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christian Wolf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christian, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As cliché as it sounds, I don’t think I chose to be in the arts but more that the arts chose me.
Ever since I was a child is was involved in some sort of performance. My first memory was putting together a dance and lip syncing for my parents in the living room. Then putting together “plays” which was more like planned playing, for the kids in the neighborhood.
It wasn’t until I discovered magic and acting that I really thought about a life as a performer. Knowing that the career path of either was challenging at best, I started a local theater group with the city’s Parks and Recreation department, which allowed me to teach, direct and produce.
This really informed my artistic sense and allowed me to use my training and interest in all the different aspects of the performing arts, so I didn’t have to pick just one path.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My background in the arts is as eclectic as they come. After putting on plays in his living room as a child I became a performing magician by age 12. I have worked as a performer (actor and magician), writer (3 produced plays, print and media copy, award winning video script), producer, director (over 30 shows plus special events, music videos and student films), presenter (25 years for venues from 199 to 1,500 seats), arts administrator, acting teacher, graphic designer and marketing professional.
Currently the Artistic/Executive Director for the Torrance Cultural Arts Center Foundation, I have also served on the board of directors for California Presenters, a state wide consortium of performing arts presenters and the Western Arts Alliance. In both organizations, I worked to mentor up and coming artists and arts professionals.
At the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, along with the many performances and events I curate, we produced the annual “South Bay’s Got Talent”. Now on its 10th year, SBGT gives the opportunity to performers of all ages to compete for the grand prize which includes a trophy, cash and entry into the World Championships of Performing Arts. The panel of judges for this event include touring performers, film directors, agents and managers.
Honestly, I think the thing that really separates us from a lot of other venues is the originality of our programming. Sure we will present a tribute band here and there or bring in a touring artist that is making the rounds, but what I’m really excited about are the exceptional performances that people wouldn’t get a chance to see if we didn’t present them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow… good question… Hmmm…
Besides the Armstrong theatre in Torrance, where we present our performances, for entertainment in the evenings, we’d go to the Magic Castle in Hollywood, maybe do a Critical Mass bike ride and, depending on what shows are in town, check out the Bourbon Room in Hollywood.
We would go for a bike ride on the Santa Ana River Trail down to Huntington Beach for brunch at 25 Degrees or along the beach trail from Marina Del Rey to Malibu stopping at the Rose Cafe in Venice.
In my opinion, any place in Southern California is a great place to people watch… but we would be at the beach more often than not.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think, like anyone in the creative arts, inspiration is gained from a number of sources and people in our lives. From the high school teacher who always believed in you and your work (no matter how silly or amateurish), he family member who was always there for you or the friends you make through your participation in professional organizations… but if you’re looking for just one… I’d have to say my biggest inspiration comes from my family.
My wife, who teaches the blind and visually impaired is, in my opinion, a saint. (Please don’t tell her I said that). She sees kids dealing with all kinds of setbacks and does everything she can to make sure that they get a fair shake. Her creativity in problem solving is amazing and while she is not involved in theatre or the performing arts, there are a lot of takeaways from how she handles set backs and solves problems.

Website: https://www.torrancearts.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torrancearts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfworx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorranceCulturalArtsFoundation/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TOCAlive