Cristina Duarte is a director, actor and instructor. Born in Portugal, she immigrated to the U.S. with her mother when she was seven. Now a long time New Yorker, she has spent more than twenty years working professionally.

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Cristina is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. She has directed numerous productions in NYC and Santa Fe including the premiere of Jon Jory's comic farce, The Almost Unbelievable Christmas Spectacular at the Greer Garson Theatre in Santa Fe. Her film directing credits include the documentary, Phoebe Brand: A Dedicated Life (IMDB). 

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As a director, Cristina is interested in telling stories about our complex and courageous humanity. She is particularly interested in plays which speak to race, gender, aging and other relevant social issues. She is attracted to stories with strong characters who push against social norms, but also loves directing comedies and the classics whose richness and voice continue to resonate. She is interested in direction, which illustrates the power and beauty of the human experience.

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Professor/Instructor: Cristina has taught acting and directing at Marymount Manhattan College, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, Queens College, The Stella Adler Studio and The Santa Fe University of Art and Design, where she served as Lead Faculty for the Performing Arts Department. In addition, she is the former Artistic Director of the famed Santa Fe Playhouse, "the oldest continually running playhouse west of the Mississippi."

 

Acting Coach:  Cristina coaches actors privately and on film sets. In addition, she works with corporate and government employees to enhance their public persona and public speaking.

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Teaching Awards: Cristina is the proud recipient of the 2019-2020 Teaching Fellowship from Brooklyn College, the 2018 "Excellence in Teaching Award," from The University of Rochester and the 2013, "Partners in Excellence Award," from Young Audiences NY.

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Education: Cristina holds an MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College, an MA in Theatre from Hunter College and a BA in Literature from Bard College. She is an alumnus of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, where she studied with the grand lady herself amongst many other talented faculty and guest artists.

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Unions: Cristina is a member of Actors' Equity and SAG/AFTRA. She has appeared in a variety of stage plays, independent and commercial films as well as television, with recurring roles on Law and Order, One Life to Live, All My Children and on Saturday Night Live as a supporting cast member. She also performed stand-up at several NY comedy clubs including: Caroline's, The Comic Strip, Gotham and Stand-up NY.

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Writer: Her play, Room for Memories, was a finalist in the TRU Voices Playwriting Series. She is currently editing her novel, Sirens.

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