Rising Star: Christopher Tormo

Having been acting throughout his life, Christopher Tormo, 20, has landed one of his dream roles in the upcoming play “Brighton Beach Memoir.”

Tormo was first exposed to the stage at the age of 4. He has participated in a number of church plays and community plays in his childhood.

“I didn’t start getting really heavy into the theater world until I went to high school,” he said. “That’s when I decided that acting was what I wanted to do with my life.”

After he graduated from Bishop Montgomery High School with the Drama Directors’ Award and a scholarship, Tormo attended the American Academy of Dramatic Art.

Besides acting on stage, Tormo is also a member of the EC Choir and the Applied Music Program for voice.

Tormo said that he wants to have a career in acting, whether it’s on stage or on camera, he’d be happy.

But as for now, Tormo has to work as a file clerk in a sign-making company to support himself.

“I really enjoy theater and that could always be part of my life,” he said. “I also want to hit Broadway because I’m a singer, too.”

Tormo said he does not idolize any actor in particular, but Hugh Jackman would be one of his favorite actors and role model.

“Not only that he does really cool movies, but he also starred in a Broadway show,” he said.

Tormo said that film is a complete different media compared to drama, but it would be also interesting to act in front of a camera and he has done some student films before.

Tormo said he has a great time on stage. He has done a lot of Shakespeare’s plays and has done some musical plays with the Torrance Theatre Company recently.

“I love every minute of being on stage, especially at the end when I work so hard and I hear the applause” he said.

One of his best moments, Tormo said, would be winning the Best Scene Award at the Cal State Dominguez Hills Theater Festival.

Tormo said that there is no bad stage experience for him so far because acting helps him express himself and makes him feel comfortable.

“I work really hard to be the best that I could be, and to make sure that none of those bad things would happen to me,” Tormo said.

However, Tormo said that acting is not easy, and people who are interested in theater should never stop training.

“Acting is something that you could always grow with, and you could always develop your talents throughout your life,” he said.

As an upcoming goal, Tormo said he wants to graduate from EC and go out into the world.

“I’m happy for doing what I wanted to do and I really feel like home when I’m on the stage” he said.