Christopher Niess joined the UCF Faculty in 2001. Following is a listing of his responsibilities and participation in the School of Performing Arts:

ACADEMIC

Instruction: MFA Movement Studio (I – IV), BFA Movement for the Actor (I & II), Introduction to Stage Combat, Circus Arts, Period Movement Styles, Health & Wellness for the Performing Artist.

Has taught as well (at UCF): Auditions, Intro to Acting, Voice I, Acting for the Non-Major, Theatre Survey

Workshops: Mr. Niess is Director of Musical Theatre and on the summer faculty for the International Performing Arts Institute, a three-week summer intensive program in Germany and Austria providing extensive individual instruction to Musical Theatre and Opera students. IPAI also operates programs in Thailand and New York.

Mr. Niess has mentored graduate students as they assisted in the Health and Wellness for the Performing Artist classes, and as they presented workshops as part of the Atlantic Center for the Arts 'Creative Caregiving' program for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

Niess has also worked with Nemours Childrens Hospital in their "Grand Rounds" program giving a presentation on breath and tension release exercises as a gateway to relaxation and clear communication.

He has also worked with Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries, Director of Academic Advancement Programs (AAP), Mr. Niess instructed “THEATRE for SCIENCE” – a workshop series using improvisational theatre exercises to develop presentation and work skills for the sciences and business.

Advising: BA Theatre transfers (advises cohort groups on a rotational schedule with other faculty)

RESEARCH and CREATIVE ACTIVITY

Mr. Niess is a stage movement specialist for the department, and participates as a coach and choreographer in a variety of productions, as well as participating in the directing rotation. To View Mr. Niess’ outside professional and educational work, visit his website at: http://christopherniess.wix.com/niess

SERVICE/PROJECTS

Committees/Task Forces (Current): UCF Undergraduate Research Council, URC Awards Committee, School of Performing Arts (SPA) Graduate Committee, SPA - Public Relations COmmittee, SPA – Scholarship and Awards Committee, Task Force - BFA Curriculum, SPA – Promotion and Tenure Committee (required).

Past: Theatre Department Chair/Artistic Director – 2009 – 2014 (1 term), Acting Artistic Director – Summer 2016, UCF Faculty Senate – Theatre Representative, Faculty Senate Graduate Appeals Committee, CAH Research Incentive Awards Committee (chair), CAH Teachers Incentive Program Awards Selection Committee, Teachers Incentive Program Awards Criteria Committee, Task Force - Internship, Theatre – School of Performing Arts Planning Committee, Theatre Dance Minor Development Committee, Theatre Peer Review Committee (chair), Theatre Search Committees.

Mr. Niess has chaired 18 MFA Theses Committees, and served on 37 others, as well as chairing the first H.I.M. Thesis Committee in the performing arts (Rebecca Lane).

To schedule an appointment with Mr. Niess, please visit his Doodle.com site to choose a date and time: https://doodle.com/poll/pzum3maes52irp6u