TEEN ACTOR MARKEES CHRISTMAS
is excited for his coming-of-age role in “Morris from America.”
Despite his last name, 16-year-old Markees Christmas saw snow for the first time this year when he attended the Sundance Film Festival. The South Los Angeles native made his acting debut in Chad Hartigan’s film “Morris From America.” The film co-stars Craig Robinson.
In the comedy-drama set in Heidelberg, Germany, Christmas plays a lovesick 13-year-old and aspiring hip-hop artist who has just moved overseas from the States with his recently widowed father, Curtis (Robinson). Christmas’ coming-of-age role is not only a reminder of the nuances of teenage angst but also a portrayal of adapting as an outsider in a foreign country.
Q: When did you begin acting?
A: I was in the sixth grade and had horrible grades. (The school) told me, “If you don’t get that grade up by the end of this school year, you’re going to be in sixth grade again.” I couldn’t let that happen. So they told me the only way to do that was to be in the school play. At first, I was like, “Acting is not my thing. I don’t want to do that.” I was arguing about it for a while, and I ended up just coming to terms.
The play was “Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry. At first I auditioned for the part of Travis, but they basically tricked me into playing Walter. I guess I did good,
“At first, I was like, ‘Acting is not my thing. I don’t want to do that.’ ” — Markees Christmas
even though I really wasn’t trying to.
Q: So you made it to seventh grade then?
A: Yes, I made it out of the sixth grade. My mom invited my mentor from the Big Brother program to the play, and when she invited him, he didn’t know that I would be acting. He was in a small comedy scene in downtown LA called “Channel 101,” and he was making videos every month. Once he found out that I dabble in this acting, we started making videos, and I just started getting noticed. (Director) Chad (Hartigan) got in contact with my mentor through YouTube, and that’s how he got me. Q: How did you find out you got the part?
A: I think only a week after the audition, Chad called me in for a callback. We met up, and then a few days after that callback I got a voicemail from him asking me if I want to be in the movie.
Q: How did you feel about getting your first on-screen part?
A: I was walking down the street with my friends when I was listening to the voicemail, so I couldn’t look like a weirdo. I wanted to scream, but I just couldn’t. I mean, I was acting like a total weirdo for five minutes, and (my friends) were like, “What’s up with you?” And I’m just like, “I’m going to be in a movie.” I’m trying to make it seem small, like I’m not superexcited about it.