Meet Christopher De’Angelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher De’Angelo.

Christopher, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Whenever asked to tell my story, I laugh a little on the inside (as I’m doing now). Only because I think I believe every single person on this Earth is composed of more than just ONE story, we are a catalog comprised of many different books, volumes, chapters, and stories. That’s what makes this world so colorful, but I’ll try to boil mine down to just one. (chuckles)

I’m Christopher De’Angelo McGhee and I grew up in a single-parent home in one the roughest neighborhoods of Columbus, Ga, Booker T. Washington apartments (BTW), the projects. When I was born, my mom (Sharon McGhee) was still a teenager herself, figuring out who she was, what to do with her life, and with a newborn, so you can imagine we had it pretty rough. Although it was rough, it wasn’t all bad. I had an amazing aunt, and two amazing strong and praying grandmothers.

Now, back to those BTW days, this is actually where I got my start in dance performance. Dancing in the neighborhood dance contest, on the pavements in the hot blistering sun, with someone’s screen door open so we could hear the music blasting loudly as if were some concert. These people didn’t shy away from telling you to sit your behind down if you couldn’t cut it. Fortunately for me, I was different, I had something. Something my dad (Derrick Motley) had passed on to me, the GIFT of dance– but dancing in the streets wasn’t enough for me.

While in primary school, I joined our glee club, did our 4th grade play and from there surprisingly won a full-ride acting scholarship with to the Rankin Arts Center Summer Acting Program in conjunction with Columbus State University. From this very moment, I knew what I wanted to do. Act and dance professionally.

I went on to continue to doing theatre all throughout grade school, becoming a member of a Georgia Thespian Honor Society at Columbus High School. All this theatre training and practice I was getting, and I have yet to have any formal dance training. So during my senior of high school, I decided to study tap dance for my senior project and met Tamela Ransom, who would help change the course of my dance life.

I would secretly beg Tamela to teach more than just tap and that she did. I wanted it so badly to be educated and well versed in dance, so I would literally annoy the crap out of her to dance. She’s now my big sister and owner of the fabulous and ever-growing Passion Works Dance Academy.

After high school, I went to the UNSINKABLE ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY(ASU) where I obtain my BA in Speech & Theatre. At ASU, I was a part of many different organizations Bacchus & Gamma, Vice President of Theatre Ensemble, Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society, where I served as chairman of the Bylaws committee, Fuzionz Hip Hop Dance Team, Co-Founder/Capt. of AVD Dance Ministry (ASU Gospel Choir) & Football and Competitive Cheerleader. (WHEW JESUS!). These organizations and the life long family I’ve gained during my time at ASU definitely helped shaped and molded the person I am today.

The real world, I must admit I was quite lost after college, having to come home to help pull my weight with a now homeless family, my mind was not on dance or theatre but on getting a 9-5, but GOD saw it differently.

In the midst of all that craziness, I became a dance teacher and was contacted, to be in my very 1st professional musical “A Chorus Line”(thanks Shane Hall) at the Springer Opera House. I went on to do “Sister Act the Musical”, “Dreamgirls”, “West Side Story”, “Newsies”, “Tarzan the Musical” at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and a brand new world premiere musical “Men with Money” at the Aurora Theatre. I’ve even had the opportunity of performing at this years’ Superbowl behind Aloe Blacc.

Currently, I’m still teaching dance, creating art, and performing everywhere. Next for me is a musical review in celebration of the classic sounds of the Motown era being performed at the River Center, the musical “Chicago” at the Springer Opera House and gearing up for a HUGE MOVE in the coming year!

See I told ya, I’ve told like 6 different stories it seems like… (laughs)

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been easy at all. I briefly touched on some of my obstacles in my short bio. Briefly, because while I appreciate every challenge I’ve come faced with and overcome–I prefer not to dwell on rugged roads I’ve traveled.

So, from being homeless more than once, helping my mom raise my two younger siblings, and bullied for being the only black kid who wanted to dance, sing, and act, I’ve definitely had my fair share of it.

However in this industry, the road hasn’t definitely been smooth, I’m a short (5’2) black male with natural hair. So, the roles are extremely limited and because of my height I’m not even considered for a leading role but as the late Della Reese once said, “When one door closes, a window will open.”

As a dancer/actor, we are most of the time put in the ensemble and we are not paid sometimes not even half of our singer/actor counterparts and we are working just as hard. Pay overall is an ongoing struggle within the musical theatre community.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I would like to think my specialty is performance.

For example, I’m singing opera, or at least trying to, extremely terribly, but you still would be entertained.

It has been struggling internally for me to realize the greatness within myself, my worth, and the value I bring to whatever I’m a part of.

I’m known for just being a light. Someone who is bubbly, fun, hardworking and focus all.

I’m most proud of my growth and even more excited about the growth that is to come.

What set me apart from others, hmmm, thats a tough question…

Owner of Passion Works Dance Academy, Tamela Ransom says, “The passion, spark, and meaning within the movement. He doesn’t just do the movement or choreography, there is something more behind it. Something intriguing that catches attention and interest.”

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment in a career would have to be being a part of not only a world premiere musical but one that deals with homosexuality but its focus is LOVE! ALL OUT LOVE!

‘Men With with Money’
Book & Lyrics by Bill Nelson
Music and additional lyrics by Joseph Trefler

Directed by Justin Anderson
Musical Direction by Ann-Carol Pence
Choreography by Ricardo Aponte

Contact Info:

• Address: 100 Lockwood Ct, Apt 133, Columbus, Ga 31906
• Phone: 706-464-1653
• Email: chrismcghee90@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/christopherdeangelo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.mcghee.5

Image Credit:
Photographers: London Mahogony, Danny Piett, Casey Gardner, and Matthew Swindell

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