Words From the Wings: Christine Flores of ILLINOISE

BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines!

Today we're chatting with Christine Flores, who is currently appearing in Illinoise. Christine told us all about her backstage routines, favorite moments, and more!

Check out her answers, along with photos taken by BroadwayWorld's Jennifer Broski, below!

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive to the theatre?

Say hello to our amazing door people Magnus or Christine, who always greet me with a smile! 

What’s the last thing you do before you go on stage?

I hand five cast members an orb that I have carefully chosen for them, look up at the red cue light and whisper, “have fun!”.

What’s your must-have backstage snack?

Altoids, peppermint patties, or any sweet treat our phenomenal dresser Gina has in her candy jar.  

Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?

I have a few. I say hello to my Thomas Jefferson costume while checking my presets and practice taking an orb out of my pocket. I run a lap down the stairs to the basement, passing our warm up space and mini campfire, so I can do high knees with some of the band members. It gets me warm plus I get to connect with the band. 

What are five must-haves in your dressing room?

Pictures of my family, my Coca-Cola mini fridge but I guess more importantly Coca-Cola, snacks (specifically chomps/meat sticks, cheese strings), EpiPen, extra pair of sweat pants. 

What’s your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?

I love watching the ‘Predatory Wasp’ duet because I get to sit with some of the cast behind our stage manager Thom and it’s a very communal moment. I can see the band and our conductor Nathan on the monitor at the same time, so it’s a check-in with everyone involved in the show. It also feels like a special moment to cry it out and then breathe with the Henry character. 

Author’s Note: I wrote these responses before the passing of our beloved stage manager, Thomas Gates. His memory still lives on backstage at the St James during moments like these and we dedicate the run of Illinoise to him.

What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?

We love saying there is a full show of backstage choreo that the audience doesn’t see. In such a tight space there is an enormous amount of work that happens and every one of those little moments brings me joy. But if I HAD to narrow it down there’s a special few. During ‘Man of Metropolis’ after I catch Clark’s jacket, I throw it to our dresser Cait and in the same part of the show after Jeanette, Gaby and I catch the cape, we three have a moment off stage which sometimes equals a touchdown. Finally I have to mention any moment with Craig Salstein, because he makes me laugh in every show. I can’t really explain but it’s just the best. 

About Christine Flores

Broadway Debut. Off-Broadway: Illinoise (Park Avenue Armory), Nutcracker Rouge Company XIV. Regional: Illinoise (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Other credits: Pam Tanowitz Dance, Dance Heginbotham, Keigwin + Company, Danielle Russo Performance Project, NVA & Guests, SHINSA The Collective, DanceLab NY. Education: BFA New World School of the Arts. Awards: Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.” For my family, Sumo, Slim, Chua and Órla. @christinefl0res