CHRISTIAN NOVOTNY
Director - Actor - AV Designer
Christian Novotny is a Director, Actor, and AV Designer living in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has served as the Artistic Director of Red Theater Lincoln 2014/15 and Managing Director of The Haymarket Theatre 2019/20
UPCOMING & RECENT WORK
Directing Cock by Mike Bartlett for OmniArts Nebraksa
The meat of COCK is, John, who is experiencing a crisis when he is confronted with a question: Who is he? Stuck between his long term relationship with a man and a new relationship with a woman, he is faced with making a choice. Cock explores concepts of love, identity, change, sexual fluidity, and isolation brought about by defining the self in a rigid categorical fashion.
Performing with Flatwater Shakespeare as The Sheppard's Son/Dion in The Winter's Tale
Directing Signs by Jillian Carter and Still Strong by Ben Arenz for Angels' First Flight Festival
The First Flight Festival returns with two weekends of new short plays from the Angels Theatre Playwriting Collective. Signs by Jillian Carter is a monologue about a woman who is looking into adopting a child after seeing a sign from god to do so. Still Strong by Ben Arenz is a comedic piece where a middle-aged carpenter has an existential crisis after being pickpocketed by a teenager outside a local grocery store. This event makes him question his own strength and self worth as he gets older.
Appearing as Justin in the world premiere of the new play Happy Birthday Lily! by Jillian Carter
Happy Birthday, Lily! pays homage to La Cage aux Folles and very special sitcom episodes. Find out what happens when an estranged couple and one of their new partners all attend their child's birthday party! Hilarity ensues in a modern tale of losing and finding your identity behind the scenes of a princess extravaganza.
Appearing as Awes in a staged reading of the new script Yaass Ghosts! by Jason St. Sauver
A new reinterpretation of Ibsen's classic script, Yass Ghosts! is set in 1981 with microphones, melodrama, and VCR Parties. BIG HAIR - BIGGER SECRETS!!
Appearing as Wynn in The Refugees by Brent Askari
After a civil war in the United States, the Sutton family from Connecticut flees the country, ending up as refugees in the Middle East. The Suttons find themselves impoverished and in the minority, struggling for existence in their new home.
Playing Mr. Collins/Wickham/Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice at LCP
This isn't your grandmother's Austen! Bold Surprising, boisterous, and timely, this P&P for a new era explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life. The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, despite mounting pressure from society. But can she resist love, especially when that vaguely handsome, mildly amusing, and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?! Literature's greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life than it does in this effervescent adaptation. Because what turns us into greater fools than the high-stakes game of love?
Returning to Flatwater Shakespeare to perform in Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare's classic script, Julius Caesar, is a look at the politics of Rome as it is threatened by a dictatorship. This production directed by Flatwater Shakespeare's Artistic Director Marshall Carby moves the setting from classical Rome to 1930s Nebraska where the local farmers lives are threatened by the dustbowl and bourgeois politics. Returning to the stables at Wyuka for a night of unforgettable theatre, this production is one you will not want to miss.
Directing Nine Muses Inc. by L. Howard Cooke for ATC's First Flight Festival
When the muses of music and dance realize that music is built on a limited range of rhythms and chords they seek to distract the gods above them in the company from noticing. This short play is a comedy about how humans recycle old concepts into new ideas through all artistic mediums. Nine Muses Inc. by L. Howard Cooke will be presented by Angels Theatre Co. in conjunction with the First Flight Festival 2022 with multiple short scripts by other local playwrights in their playwriting collective.
Appearing as Tim Allgood in Noises Off at The Stage Theater
Wildly considered one of the funniest scripts penned to paper, Noises Off is a high energy farce about the struggles of a touring theatrical troupe told in three acts: final dress, backstage on tour, and closing night. With egos getting out of control and interpersonal relationships crumbling with each performance becoming more chaotic than the the last. One thing is certain: The Show Must Go On! This 1970s inspired production is a must see.
Appearing as Eric in Wake! by Vince Gatton for the Salon Reading Series
Newly married couple Dan and Eric have moved out the city to raise their newly adopted daughter. Shortly after the move Dan begins having bizarre sleep walking episodes. After being told a ghost story by friends visiting, Eric thinks he knows the origin of Dan's strange behavior. A post AIDS epidemic ghost story, Wake! is about the expectations of marriage and parenthood and the power of storytelling and superstition have to enlighten and deceive.
Appearing as Justin in Happy Birthday Lily! for OmniArts Nebraska
Quincy recently separated from his wife Beth, has a newfound happiness having moved into an apartment with his new partner Justin. Quincy's comfort is shaken when his old and new lives collide at his daughter Lily's 8th birthday party when Justin discovers Beth has no idea why she is getting a divorce. This new One-Act Comedy written by local playwright Jillian Carter is a look at what it takes to fully accept oneself for who they are and the courage to demand openness and honesty.