It is with broken hearts that the Alliance shares the news that beloved Atlanta actor Chris Kayser passed away earlier today. Chris was a regular on our stages for four decades, including roles in A Christmas Carol for 22 years, 16 times as Ebenezer Scrooge. How fitting that a show so focused on the virtues of generosity & community is the show he performed the most. For those were the exact gifts he freely gave this Atlanta theatre community. In addition to his work at the Alliance, he was a company member of the seminal Academy Theater for nine years and a resident artist with Georgia Shakespeare for 25 years. Chris also helped found Théâtre Du Rêve, a French language theater. With Théâtre Du Rêve, he was able to tour theater in France six times. He was cited with the Lexus Leader in the Arts award by the city of Atlanta. He has been named Best Actor by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, and the Suzi Awards.
A message from our artistic leaders:
The Atlanta theater community gathers in shared sorrow and remembrance, as we say goodbye to our beloved friend, colleague, and eternal light of this theater, Chris Kayser. It is a loss that cuts deep, not only because of his immense talent but because of the boundless love and generosity of spirit he brought to every rehearsal, every performance, and every quiet conversation backstage.
Chris was more than an actor; he was a storyteller in the truest sense. With every role, he reminded us that the stage is not just a place for words, but a sacred ground for truth, courage, and connection. He gave his heart to his craft, but more importantly, he gave his heart to the people around him—to every castmate, every crew member, every person who walked through our doors. He saw us, truly, in ways that left us better for it. Chris’s legacy is etched into every corner of this theater and on every one of our hearts.
For the entirety of his career, Chris poured his heart & soul into his work, encouraging young actors along the way and providing a role model for what a life in the theatre could look like. And in Chris' case, that life looked luminous.
Let us honor him by carrying forward his fierce passion for truth, his gentle wisdom, and his unyielding belief in the transformative power of human connection. Chris was, and always will be, a part of the soul of this theater. We will miss him deeply, but his light will guide us to live every moment to the fullest.
– Tinashe, Christopher, and Mike
