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Finding Your Second Floor
Have you ever had one of those “aha” moments? It’s the kind of moment when you realize what you thought to be true really isn’t true at all—and the direction of your life becomes crystal clear. LSU alum Chris Boneau (B.S. ‘79) just knew he wanted to be an actor. When he arrived on campus in 1975, Chris was drawn to the second floor of LSU’s Music & Dramatic Arts Building. “I can vividly remember the big bulletin board on the wall where they posted cast announcements and information,” Chris reminisced. “As an undergraduate, that wall seemed huge, but I was undaunted.”
Chris’ wake-up call came in 1980 when he returned to LSU to pursue his master’s degree and took on the job of promoting LSU’s theatrical productions. Chris remembers that year as a time of great change. His pursuit of acting was not working out, and he was forced to reexamine his future. If he wanted to be part of the entertainment industry, he was going to have to find another way besides acting. That’s when his “aha” moment hit. Chris’ talent and skills were better suited for a career in theatrical public relations. With a renewed sense of purpose and the experience he gained at LSU, he spent a few years paying his dues and ultimately made it to the bright lights of Broadway. Chris attributes part of his success to the experiences he received as an undergraduate and graduate student at LSU. A native of Texas and later a transplant to Louisiana, he was convinced LSU was the right place for him when he participated in Boys State during the summer before his senior year of high school. “I fell in love with LSU that week,” he remembered. “I knew right away it had everything I needed in a university.” When Chris started his undergraduate career at LSU in 1975, the Music & Dramatic Arts Building became a second home.
With his remarkable determination and drive, Chris was quickly cast in a number of LSU shows. Under the tutelage and mentoring of LSU Professors Emeritus Bill Harbin and Gresdna Doty, as well as Professor John Dennis, Chris began to grow as a student and an actor. “I needed forming,” he said. “LSU and my professors forced me to become a smarter thinker, a better writer, a clearer individual, and a more confident person.” Like many undergraduates of his time and today, Chris put himself through school by working full time and balancing his course work. “I don’t know how I managed to do it, but it was certainly good practice for my career.” Even with his busy schedule, Chris remains in contact with his LSU professors and visits the campus once a year to counsel theatre students who wish to make it in the entertainment industry. He believes his experience at LSU thoroughly prepared him for his successful career. “I tell students that graduating from a good university helped me,” Chris said, “but taking advantage of internships is invaluable. Internships are a big part of finding out what kind of job you may want to pursue. More importantly, it gives you an idea as to what kind of jobs you don’t want to do.”
Chris describes his current job as a “roller coaster of cool things.” His staff of 25 people is responsible for promoting more than two dozen productions. Of all his work in theater publicity, Chris is particularly proud of his firm’s work on the Tony-Award winning musical, The Lion King and the Pulitzer Prize winning play Angels in America. “Each show was a gigantic challenge to work on” he beamed, “and each one changed my life in terms of my career and the future of Boneau/Bryan-Brown.” Chris serves on several boards including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and is an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of the Arts. When asked what one piece of advice he would give to LSU students and prospective students thinking of going to LSU, Chris replies emphatically, “Find your second floor.” Bravo, Chris. Contact Robin Dunkin | LSU
University Relations Related Links LSU Music & Dramatic Arts |
Chris’ company, Boneau/Bryan-Brown, is one of the leading
public relations firms in New York, specializing in the promotion
and representation of Broadway theatrical productions. The firm’s
client list reads like a Tony Award nomination. Maybe you’ve
heard of some of them: 
