Hi everyone! My name is Christian Blair, and I am a Musical Theatre performer based in New York City, originally from Washington, D.C. I am a proud alumnus of Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and I am currently finishing my final year at the Institute for American Musical Theatre (IAMT) here in NYC.

Growing up, I was always surrounded by the arts. My mom LakeeMora Orphe is a singer and songwriter, and my older brother Noah Blair plays 8 instruments by ear. Creativity has always lived in my home and in my heart.

When I was younger, I attended William E. Doar Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts, which opened my eyes to a world I didn’t even know existed. Then, in 2016, I saw my very first Broadway show Wicked. That night truly changed my life for the better. I couldn’t believe people could act, sing, and dance all at once, and even make a career out of it. From that moment, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.

In 2020, I was accepted into my dream high school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where I joined the Vocal Department. Even through virtual classes during my freshman year, I grew so much as an artist. During my senior year, I was honored to play Marco in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers, the school’s first fully staged opera. It was an unforgettable experience and one of my proudest performances.

After graduating, I started college at Marymount Manhattan, majoring in Costume Design, but something didn’t feel right. I realized that while I loved the arts, performing was where my heart truly belonged. One day, while scrolling through social media, I discovered The Institute for American Musical Theatre, a two-year intensive program focused on training triple-threat performers. I auditioned, and to my absolute joy, I was accepted and awarded a partial scholarship.

Unfortunately, IAMT is not state-funded, meaning I don’t qualify for traditional student loans or scholarships. I currently have a remaining tuition balance of $23,504, and I’m humbly asking for your support to help me finish this dream I’ve worked so hard for.

In addition, since IAMT doesn’t offer dorms, I’m living in an apartment just a few minutes from the school. My rent is $1,100 per month, and while I’ve been searching for jobs, balancing work with rehearsals, classes, and masterclasses has been incredibly challenging.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly toward tuition, rent, and living expenses to help me complete my training and continue pursuing the dream that’s guided me since I was a little kid watching Wicked for the first time.

If you’d like to donate directly, you can also Zelle me and I also have cashapp: $thechristianblair for tuition payments you can also send a check directly to:

The Institute for American Musical Theatre

3835 Broadway

New York, NY 10032

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting me. Whether you can give financially or simply share my story, it means the world to me.

Thank you all so much for believing in me and helping me chase this dream.

-Christian Blair