Meet Christine Heneise | Artist, Producer, Actor, Writer, Neurodivergent Multi-Hyphenate

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

Hi Christine, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Oh gosh…I always laugh when I hear those words. Work/life “balance” is a unicorn. Rather than trying to find balance, I ask “is this worthwhile” or “does this help me grow or those around me grow” and whether it will cost me emotional currency that will leave my tank empty. I’ve almost never had the luxury of being in a work situation that included leaders who were tremendous respecters of balance or equity. When I was 28, I was fired for having a baby. I SO wish I could say that that was the only time I experienced abuse of power, but that event pivotally turned the tide in drawing a line in the sand where my loyalties lie. It made clear who deserved my attention. It took many more years though to recognize that beyond my family, I needed to respect what I needed in order to be more whole and that I deserve protection too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Fundamentally, I’m a Creative. Live long enough, you get the gift of many career doors opening…honestly I think I’ve had more than 9 lives. Not only am I a mega multi-hyphenate, I’m also autistic, which flies far below most people’s radars. It’s been a springboard to wide scope of lively conversation and enlightenment about neurodivergence, advocacy and inclusion.

I’m an actor, writer, producer, creative director, AD, director, voiceover artist, improv artist, networker, archer, curious person, and risk taker. I earned a BS in Business Marketing and an AAS in Fashion Merchandising. Oh…and I’m also a graphic designer, fine artist, UX/UI web designer, marketing consultant, editor, art director, event planner and wardrobist. I’ve been known to wear any hat on set that needs to be worn to get the job done.

I’ve been a professional actor for about 12 years…I got a late reboot. I was born, raised and lived most of my adult life in Chicago and yet not a tremendously risk friendly, creative environment. Although my family was in “the industry” in radio and music, my family also had a secret notorious history. It took years of processing devastating multigenerational family trauma. I had to find the right supports outside of family, just to survive and later on make the decision to be more generous and brave with myself to develop into the creative I was meant to be.

As a working actor, my priorities are intimately tied with cultivating strong relationships and being in community with people.

It made sense then that my reemergence came first to community theatre in the Spokane area, where I portrayed The Woman in Death of a Salesman and Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde, The Musical and other roles. I was simultaneously involved in indie film production, improv and commercial work in Washington and Idaho while raising two kids until our move to LA in 2019 to support our daughter in earning a BFA in Musical Theatre. COVID then turned our whole empty nest strategy on its side, so my acting career focus had to gel with working alongside a student also studying performing arts. It was an opportunity for innovative thinking and flexibility!

Being in LA…was the first time in my life ever felt that I was with my “tribe”. I think, most creatives in general, have a genuine, affinity and respect for each other, because they know what sacrifice it takes to be creative…the price in life you end up paying.

I feel like I’m constantly learning, and I’m always so excited to meet people who have vastly more experience in this industry than I do. I’m currently engaged in an Actors Helping Actors class. There’s so much strength to be gained by learning how to thrive through adversity. I can’t thrive in the what-if‘s, could-haves or should-haves or be fueled by bitterness over past wrongs. Sometimes there isn’t a lesson to be learned. Sometimes it’s just about picking myself up and doing the next thing or allowing myself the grace to rest and regroup. Just continue doing something that adds joy and value to life and keeps me connected with humanity.

I’ve been in improv troupes for the past 10 years, but I’m most proud of completing 12 weeks Basic Improv 1 at Groundlings last year. Literally everyone in my class was half my age. It took so much out of me every night…I was expected to be top of my game. Nobody really knew the severe health issues that I was dealing with…but I knew that I deserved to give this to myself. It was one of the most professionally challenging things I’ve ever worked through as an actor.

Last year was groundbreaking. I co-starred in a student film, Pain Relief, with one of my best friends. The film has gone on to win multiple festival awards. I produced, co-wrote, directed and co-starred in my first 48 hour Film LA film, a horror comedy…Guess Who’s Dying For Dinner, that was nominated for 7 awards, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

I’m especially proud of my recent portrayal of Lady Bird Johnson (FLOTUS) in Oppenheimer. It was an honor to be hand-selected by Christopher Nolan to be part of creating an amazing installment in film history.

Currently, I’m working on a number of projects through my own production company, Divergent Mind Productions, LLC. We help in-house and outside writers, directors and producers cast a clear vision and put it on the pavement to get us all working. We fill in creative and logistical gaps where we see them. Our number one goal is to foster community in filmmaking. We’re currently patiently waiting through the approval process on a SAG AFTRA interim agreement for a feature film we’re co-producing. In the meantime, I’m fostering a writers program, developing up and coming new talent.

In addition to working on a few short film projects, I’m also currently working on writing/producing a major project that represents the notorious stories of multiple families from unexpected angles that span 5 generations. This project is near and dear to my heart and I’m hoping to find the right support to bring it to move it forward.

I’ve chugged along (like the Little Engine on steroids) with very minimal representation, but with great personal support from my husband, my kids and friends. I’d gladly welcome a representation team, though. I’m known in the casting community as the person people want to network with and play with because I‘m a genuine cheerleader of people and seer of strengths…I love it when we all can succeed!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, playing games and creative talk with friends is my idea of a great time…but visiting friends…I would take them to a show at Groundlings Theater, where every show is a different experience. I love thrifting, so including popping into the many vintage thrift spots on Melrose is in order. The Americana at Brand is a fantastic leisurely alternative to the indoor malls and you can wander onto Brand to find lots of hot spots including Porto’s Bakery and some chat-friendly pubs. Hike up to the Hollywood Sign with friends. For a memorable night with friends, there’s Moonlight Rollerway Glendale. For a no-fuss night with buds there’s Pineapple Hill Saloon in Van Nuys. An absolute must: Saturday or Sunday Brunch at Wild Oak Cafe in Glendale with friends. A trip to the Rosie’s Dog Beach with the pup rounds out a great week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to sincerely thank and love on all of my fellow neurodivergent friends, allies, family and colleagues who understand and embrace the beauty, fragility, uniqueness and value of the divergent mind. My family of wildly gifted actors, Joellie Heneise, Christian Heneise and David Heneise and my close friends and fellow talented colleagues, John Piccarreto, Nicole Liberty Whitlock, Val Hovenesian and Daniel O’Brien are all my rocks! To those that fearlessly dive deep past the sea of shiny things on the surface…my heart is yours.

Instagram: @christineheneise

Other: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/christineheneise/ IMDb: imdb.me/christineheneise

Image Credits
Val Hovanesian, Gabe Renfro, John Mann, Jason Carpenter