Lights, Camera, Action!

Carly Christopher thrives on creative projects, and she’s currently working on her biggest one yet — making a movie. “We decided it was time, for us to make our own art, and tell our own story,” Carly said.

An actor and comedian, Carly and her husband are parents of two. She leads a creative, busy, fun life, always on the move between Wilson, Austin, and Los Angeles. Brought together through a comedy-focused acting class, Carly and three other women created a story, raised funds, and will act in their upcoming film, Lady Kings of Texas. It’s a dark comedy, set in a fictional future where Texas has seceded from the union, and being childless women over 35 makes them fugitives. “We want it to be impactful and funny, using entertainment to weave in hard issues.”

An avid appreciator of all forms of art, Carly loved theater in her younger years, but “I stopped performing because I thought it wasn’t a legitimate career choice at the time. It was a journey to realize I could follow my passion and it’s valid, something creative doesn’t mean it’s less important than more traditional paths.”

In 2016 she started auditioning for commercial, television, and film parts, and her efforts have been fruitful, keeping Carly busy with a constant stream of roles she truly enjoys, like recent parts on Landman and Criminal Minds.

Because Carly does auditions via zoom, and her husband also works remotely, “It is a free for all at our house! The ‘reduce background noise’ feature is used frequently.” On any given day, Carly may find herself shouting and crying in one room for an audition, while her husband Clayton is on a business meeting in another part of the house.

While life is full with her family and multiple projects, Carly also posts on social media as a creative outlet, with her brand of humor having grown a robust audience. But the current focus is preparing for filming Lady Kings of Texas this fall. Production will be in Mason, Texas, Carly’s hometown. “It’s a place that gave me so much, my love of acting was born there.”

Filming will take place at a ranch, “The owner is amazing, she’s very involved with the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival in Colorado,” and cast and crew will stay with friends where possible. In a small town with a population of 2,000, and not a single stoplight, “I’ll be staying at my parents’ house, in a twin bed.” Carly said.

Carly is enamored with her current projects, and looking to the future with an eye on the creative community in Jackson. “I’d love to create more art here.” The longer she has lived in the area, the more she has gotten to know the richness of the creative and artistic community, and she’s continually impressed with the art, style, inspiration, and creativity that exists – and is growing – here in Jackson. Perhaps she’s already developing a vision for her next big project.