Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Mansa.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always have to give the glory to the true and living God almighty creator for where I am in my life and everything that has brought me to this point. I operate my life on faith. Faith that God is the author and finisher of my fate, and faith that any good thing I commit my mind to, I can accomplish. And that’s how I started this journey as an actor. I like to believe I’m a born storyteller. It’s my passion as an artist, and lately it’s expanded to several outlets in the arts, but the spark that lit the fire happened a little over ten years ago. I was in my senior year of high school, with no direction as to what I wanted to do in life after graduation; a few unsavory options, but I knew I hadn’t found it yet.
At some point, I was invited to see a show, Beauty and The Beast, that the drama club was putting on and I decided, ‘Why not?’. When I went to experience this show, I was blown away by what I was witnessing unfold in front of my eyes. The show was great, but Gaston, or rather the actor playing Gaston, sparked my unshakeable passion for acting. Here was this relatively quiet and shy guy I knew in school, on stage blooming as the arrogant, beautifully grand character Gaston. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t see Addison the shy kid from school. I was transported, and as I watched with amazement, my heart responded with a quiet whisper, “This is it…this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”. And from that moment on, I was sold. I knew that no matter what I needed to do, I was going to be an actor. And though many obstacles attempted to block that path, God provided provision for that vision to come true and here I am ten years later with a Bachelors of Fine Art, a Masters of Fine Arts, several regional theatre credits, and a few film and tv credits under my belt. The journey so far has been uniquely challenging and astonishingly beautiful and I’m just at the beginning of my career having just booked my first major guest start role on television.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. However, I’ve come to accept that it’s not supposed to be smooth. Life is full of trials and tribulations and it’s through the rough roads that we learn to be resilient and capable for fulfilling our ordained purpose. One cannot teach what they do not know and one cannot lead where they cannot go. I’ve felt the disheartening punch of rejection plenty of times; the passion of proving naysayers wrong, and the joy from realizing it’s about the journey and not the destination.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist. My passion is storytelling. I’ve spent the last eight years training in academic settings and learning first hand the craft of acting from some of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I had a friend recently tell me that the persistence and commitment to this journey is the success; and I couldn’t agree more. I put my pride in the work that I do and I’m honored to say it’s paid off and will continue to bring forth even more fruit. As I understand it now, the attitude I take towards life will determine my altitude in life. I’m focusing now on protecting my perspective and continuing to learn and grow planted in God’s soil.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Taking “risk” in life translates to me as having faith. When I feel that certain pull in my spirit I follow it. Most certainly, I have no idea how I’m going to accomplish the vision I have, but I’m convinced that’s the least important part about deciding to go on any journey. We all know what they say about life’s guarantees, so I figure if everything has its risk I might as well go for everything I want. I left home at seventeen, after high school, to stay with my best friend because I really needed to be closer to the college I wanted to attend. I put all the faith I had in God and trusted that a way would be made for me to get to where I wanted to go. I had no clue about acting when I decided to take it on as a lifelong career, and I didn’t care. I was determined to follow my calling; and to be honest there were plenty of moments where I was afraid I made a terrible decision, and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to see this thing through but I kept moving forward. As my life unfolds now, I’m growing more and more confident in the purpose God has for me. The risks are present in every moment, but the faith keeps me at peace; and moving towards my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chrismansa.com
- Instagram: chris_mansa
- Facebook: Chris Mansa
- Youtube: Chris Mansa
Image Credits:
Stephanie Girard Bradley Dunn Jamil Zraikat
