Meet Christie Gayle DeBacker | Scenic, Display and Theatre Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christie Gayle DeBacker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christie Gayle, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m a born and raised Texan. I grew up mostly in Round Rock (just north of Austin). Theatre wasn’t really something I was aware of growing up, let alone thinking it could be a career. I did however have a fondness-borderline obsession with movie musicals, forcing my older sister and parents to sit through The Wizard of Oz and Sound of Music (two favorites) countless times. There was something about this magical way of storytelling that I really connected with. I was a pretty introverted kid, and had a hard time with social situations-I still do, so I imagine the idea of being able to suddenly say exactly what you were feeling in a song resonated. It wasn’t until my family moved right before my sophmore year to Tomball that I learned really what theatre could be. I was in a theatre class, and after seeing the first production of the year I decided to audition for the next one. I was not cast, but decided to work on the crew of the show anyway. I helped sew costumes, and then run the show. And that was it-I was hooked. I had three incredible director/teachers whose guidance really helped me build confidence on stage, backstage and off stage, I acted and worked on the technical side throughout the rest of High School and decided to pursue a degree in theatre after graduation. Again working both onstage and off. I had some incredible professors and also some really terrible ones. I think those experiences- the terrible ones are just as responsible for shaping me into the artist and person I am now. I know how I don’t want to treat people and how I will always be an advocate for anyone with a passion to learn and grow.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Scenic Art is predominately the discipline I work in. For anyone who doesn’t know, that means I take a designers renderings and figure out how to make them actually happen- and then do it with paint, carving and all kinds of different techniques. You’re such an integral part of the process of making this idea become reality, even though the vision isn’t yours you start to feel some ownership of it. I love going to see a show I’ve worked on and seeing my work all over the stage.
I went to college for Theatre and I had a great mentor who taught me a lot of the basics of Scenic Painting. I had some talent and he gave me opportunities and helped develop my passion into skills. When he left the university he was replaced by someone who disregarded scenic art as insignificant. I ended up switching my Technical emphasis to Acting and Directing because I didn’t want to work under or be taught by him. I didn’t think I would ever paint again until a friend mentioned the Alley Theatre was looking for overhire help and recommended me. When I came down to Houston something clicked and I knew immediately this is where I was supposed to be. I moved, and started working overhire regularly. When a full time position opened up I applied and got it. While I may not have had a ton of experience, I had a lot of passion for theatre and really threw myself into the job, learning as much as I could from my coworkers, books, and anywhere else I could find information. That’s part of the reason I started sharing my work on TikTok, to help share information about the job and give a behind the scenes look at all the work that goes into a show. I’ve been able to share what I do now with people all over the world, and help a lot of people looking to get into Scenic Art or expand their knowledge. It’s weird now when people say they’ve seen my TikToks- like I know I put them out there but the internet gives you a false sense of separation.
I give the same advice to anyone I know thinking about going into Theatre as a career; You decide what success looks like. You have to define that for yourself, and it doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not huge on going out, I’m definitely a homebody- But I will make an exception to see theatre/art. We have such a great theatre scene I don’t think a lot of people know about all the big and little companies around town. So if I’m in charge of entertainment I’d probably set up a few shows that would give you a good variety of what Houston offers. For example a show at the Alley, Catastrophic and Stages or Theatre Under the Stars, Rec Room and Ensemble. There’s so many more options too, great theatre is all over the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To the Teachers who believed in my before I ever did, Clint Cottom, Elizabeth Garrett Curtain, John Carmona, Shawn Fisher, Penny Hasekoester, David McTier and the incredible artists and friends I’ve worked with in the past present and future, I’ve learned so much from you and continue to do so everyday.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschristiegayle

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/itschristiegayle