AVON, Ohio – Christian Lee, who was recently chosen for a role in Elf at the Lakewood Beck Center has a long list of theater credits, but also a long list of talents.

The young man is only 13 years old, but he is a regular at the Beck Center Youth Theater for ages 6-18.

His first stage experience, he said, was in a 2017 production of “Annie.” His role was a supporting, background character. But that soon changed. He moved quickly to a lead role as directors noticed his talents. He has now performed in 11 theater shows.

In 2019, Christian won his first award as Best Young Actor in a Musical from the Ohio Youth Arts Awards for his role as the mayor in “Seussical the Musical.”

Five other actors were nominated as well and all attended the awards ceremony in Hudson, but Lee walked away with the prize.

Brian, Christian’s father, sat in on the interview. “He has a lot of talent,” Brian said.

When asked when Brian and his wife, Alisha, saw the talent in their son, Brian said, “He started off very shy as a young boy. But he was very talented in playing piano and was giving various performances through his piano teacher. There were a lot of accolades that helped him come out of himself. He then asked to try the Beck Center.”

“I thought I just have to get in on that,” said Christian. After seeing the Beck Center he took a Youth Theater class and that cinched it. He wanted to be an actor.

In addition to theater roles though, Christian also impersonates Elvis Presley and has participated in the Tower City Christmas Show as Elvis. “I loved Elvis from a young age,” said Christian. As he began to perform as Elvis, he decided to take on other roles as well such as Jerry Lee Lewis with his rockin’ piano.

It can’t come as a surprise now that Christian also sings and dances. What may be a surprise though, is that he even does improv comedy.

When asked if he is having a great time, Christian said, “Yes, yes. This is where I want to be right now. This is where I belong.”

But what about down the road? “I don’t know where acting will take me. All I know is I want to act,” he said.

Brian is looking ahead for his son and summed it all up. “He has a big bright future. I can’t wait to see what he does. We thank the Beck Center for the opportunities he has been given. He is getting bigger and bigger roles and it is just fun to see.”