Christine Lin, Henry Godinez and Liz Griffiths Receive Halcyon Theatre’s 2013 Iris Awards

On Friday, March 8, 2013, the Halcyon Theatre Company honored actor Christine Lin; Henry Godinez, resident artistic associate at Goodman Theatre and the curator of the Latino Theatre Festival; and Liz Griffiths, immediate past Director of North River Commission’s (NRC) two economic development affiliates, the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR) and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il.

Christine Lin was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts by Halcyon Theatre co-founders Jenn and Tony Adams, who is also the Artistic Director, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il, on March 8, 2013. Photo by Kan Chou

Christine Lin, an actor, improvisor and engineering consultant, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and began her affiliation with Halcyon in 2008 as an Artistic Associate, appearing in the Company’s productions of Caridad Svich’sIphigenia…(a rave fable), Tony Adam’s Trickster, and Salman Rushdie’sHaroun and the Sea of Stories. She also directed Astrid Saalbach’s The Blessed Child in 2009′s Alcyone Festival. She has been a company and board member since 2011.

Eric Lin and his daughter Christine Lin, who was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il, on March 8, 2013. Photo by Kan Chou

Ms. Lin was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts by Halcyon Theatre co-founders Jenn and Tony Adams, who is also the Artistic Director.

Ms. Lin shared, “I was delighted when Tony shared my first audition and production with Halcyon resulting in my first production in Chicago. And then I was surprised and so very moved by Jenn reading what David Henry Hwang wrote about me. I was touched by the support and love I felt in the room – not only from Halcyon and our company but also from the many wonderful friends and supporters of theater in Chicago in the room. I realized that though the Iris Award is for commitment to connecting Chicago communities and art, it is really the art that has connected me to my wide-reaching community of wonderful friends and colleagues who so generously support and appreciate art. Art brings people together, and Halcyon makes it possible for so many by practicing what they believe in color-blind casting and producing untold stories that bring awareness of and bridges gaps between people of different cultures. The evening was more wonderful than I could have imagined and I am so grateful for Halcyon.”

Ms. Lin, who currently resides in New York City, made her Broadway debut as Miss Zhao in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at the Longacre Theatre, after its world premiere at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Below are excerpts from Hwang’s congratulatory message.

Broadway Chinglish castmembers Johnny Wu, Christine Lin, playwright David Henry Hwang, Jennifer Lim, Angela Lin and Larry Lei Zhang at Ruby Foo's Dim Sum Sushi Palace in New York on January 20, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Hi Christine! We were in pre-production for Chinglish at the Goodman, when I heard that this theatre called Halcyon had gotten a grant or something specifically to do a show with this amazing Asian American actress. I was like, “Really? When was the last time I heard of something like that happening? Like, never!” Then you came in to audition for Chinglish, and Leigh Silverman and I were smart enough to know blazing talent when we saw it. You became an invaluable part of that show, then when I saw you all warrior-woman and bad-ass in Soul Samurai at Infusion, I not only respected your talent, but was scared of you too. Which in some ways is even better.

“When it became clear we were going to Broadway, there was never any question but that we were going to ask you along. You made our show so much better, and I guess we changed your life too. You are a rock-solid talent, whip-smart, and noble of spirit. I look forward to our next artistic journey together. Congratulations, Christine. Although NYC has you now, I have a feeling that a big part of your heart still belongs to Chicago, and to Halcyon. Love, David

Miss Lin’s other regional credits include Dewdrop in Qui Nguyen’s Soul Samurai (InFusion Theatre), Miyoko in Braden LuBell’s Days of Late(SiNNERMAN Ensemble), Cinderella in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella(PM&L Theatre), understudying Bea in Naomi Iizuka’s Ghostwritten(Goodman Theatre), and The Chinese Woman in a staged reading of Lauren Yee’s Ching Chong Chinaman (Silk Road Rising). She is also an alum of Asian-American sketch comedy group Stir-Friday Night! and wrote and performed in three reviews: Bubble Tea Party!, Rock Out With Your Wok Out!, andHorry Kow, That’s Lacist! On screen, Ms. Lin has been featured on “Gossip Girl,” NBC’s “Deception,” indie dramas Big Words and Blowtorch, and as Pimp Lucius’ blind escort in R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” series. Training: Steppenwolf West ensemble intensive, Upright Citizens Brigade (New York), Second City Training Center Improv Conservatory (Chicago), and Duke University – BSE degree in electrical and biomedical engineering.www.christine2lin.com

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.