Very few 8 year olds can claim they’ve performed a monologue in front of an audience. But that’s exactly how Buford High School junior Christopher Rischar found his love for the stage.
“My first time performing for a group was my second grade talent show. I didn’t want to sing, or dance, or play the piano, and my mom said that I ‘like to talk a lot. Let’s try a monologue!’ Naturally it’s a bit difficult to find a monologue for an 8-year-old, so my mom and I co-wrote one about not knowing how to write a monologue,” Rischar said of his first acting experience. “That talent show was my first experience performing for a crowd, writing a monologue, and acting.”
And he hasn’t slowed down since.
When the talent show was cancelled his fourth grade year, Rischar performed weekly talent shows on the playground during recess.
In middle school, Rischar had a featured solo in “Cabaret” 2021 and played Hans in “Frozen Jr.” in addition to receiving multiple awards, including the Directors Award and Best All Around.
In high school, Rischar has starred as Buddy Hobbs in “Elf Jr.” as well as performed other major roles in “The Crucible,” “Mamma Mia!” and “The Beaux Stratagem.”
Rischar’s achievements this year have been remarkable, and he has earned much deserved recognition. He was selected for the All Star Cast in both the GHSA’s One Act Regional Competition and the Georgia Theatre Conference’s Woody Festival. He also received Judges’ Selection for Excellent Artistry for Foley Work for “Shipwrecked” at the Georgia Theatre Conference. In mid-March, he became the reigning 6A State Champion for Dramatic Interpretation, scoring first place at the regional competition and continuing to secure the State Championship for this event. In addition, Rischar serves as the president of the BHS Thespian Troupe and placed first in the Improv Challenge at the Georgia Thespian Conference.
Although his passion and talent for acting are evident, Rischar is always seeking ways to broaden his arsenal of dramatic abilities.
“Musical Theatre has improved me as a performer the most, as it has pushed me in my acting abilities, my singing abilities, and most definitely my dancing skills. Even so, acting has always been my passion,” Rischar said. “Whether that’s ‘The Crucible’ being my first full length dramatic show, or ‘The Beaux Stratagem’ being my first full length classical-comedy, or the Literary Interpretation competitions testing my ability to bring to life the nuance of written works, acting has always been the most rewarding to me. Though I do still love musicals.”
Buford High School’s theater director, Leila Bowman, spoke highly of Rischar and his contributions to the program.
“Christopher Rischar is the epitome of what a theatre student should be. He is a dedicated and proficient leader, a gifted and hardworking performer, and one of the most talented students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching,” Bowman said. “His enthusiasm for theatre makes my job as a teacher a joy. He is always seeking ways to contribute, often stepping in and taking charge without hesitation.”
After graduating high school, Rischar hopes to use his talents in the entertainment industry.
“My hope is to pursue acting, musical theatre, directing, and/or script-writing in college, and maybe even study abroad. Then, I want to jump right into the acting business. If I choose musical theatre, my end goal is New York and Broadway. If I choose to do film, my end goal is Los Angeles and Hollywood. If I choose acting, my end goal is to perform in London, hopefully even in the Globe Theatre,” Rischar said. “Then, I want to write plays and direct as I get older. My dream retirement is one in the mountains, secluded, writing poetry or philosophizing, and sleeping.”
When he’s not performing for audiences, Rischar looks for ways to increase his artistic exposure. He likes to watch different cultural shows, including a recent Italian opera, and video essays on YouTube. He also enjoys learning the history of theme parks and occasionally allows himself some downtime by playing Fortnite.
Rischar credits much of his success to his parents, DeAnn and Brian Rischar, in addition to teachers who have made profound impacts on his life.
“The most influential person in my life in my past is Mr. Lenz. He recently retired, but he sparked my passion for music (and parody songs). I will never forget his methods of teaching or our rehearsals for the academy choir. However, the most influential person in my life now is definitely Ms. Bowman. She’s an amazing teacher, but she’s also an amazing role model. She is the adult I aspire to be,” Rischar said. “I want the public to know what an amazing teacher, role model, and confidant she is, and that anyone who takes a class from her is extremely lucky. She was taught by the best before her, and she is becoming the best to be taught by.”
Bowman raved about Rischar’s accomplishments and talents and the endless number of things he contributes to the Buford theatre program on a daily basis.
“He is an absolute delight to work with. As an actor, Christopher’s creativity and ingenuity shine through in every role he takes on. His meticulous attention to detail in script analysis is evident, and his execution of those details on stage is even more compelling,” Bowman said. “When Christopher performs, he radiates an incandescent energy that captivates the audience. No one can look away when he steps onto the stage. Whether it’s igniting a love story in an Italian-styled Commedia Dell’Arte piece, bringing laughter to satirical performances, or drawing the audience into poignant moments in dramatic works by playwrights like Arthur Miller, Christopher’s performances leave a lasting impact.
“The sky’s the limit for Christopher, and I am so grateful to be part of his journey.”
