Christopher John Berzac was born in Michigan in 1976 to Donna and Cary Berzac. He was their first child and therefore, best child. Until Corey was born 18 months later. Then Beth 2 years after that. But he was the first and there for slightly better than the other two. Please remember that when talking to them.
The Berzac's home was made first in Westland, MI on Perrin street. Not to say this was a tough neighborhood, but there was a bar at the end of the street. Chris's acting career started in the second grade, as he played Paddington Bear for Ms. Sharps class. He wore the yellow hat, the blue raincoat and brown make up, that many thought was racist. His next major role was the Travel Agent in the sixth grade musical. After that, he would get cast in the Marque Theatre's Christmas show. Taking a break after that because he was fat and dorky, Chris auditioned for the Creative and Performing Arts Program at Churchill High School. Two hours everyday for the next four years, Chris would focus on acting, directing and improv. Most notable shows in high school were West Side Story, Neil Simon's Rumors and the musical Oliver. After 15 years in Westland, the Berzac's moved to neighboring Livonia and there they would stay until present. Chris went on to Central Michigan University to study acting. Three years into a theatre degree, Chris got bit by the improv bug and dropped out of college to move to Chicago. He studied long form improv at the famed improv olympic. In the summer of 2004, Chris randomly sent Jessica an email on a peer-to-peer website. She didn't respond. He tried again a few months later. She bit. The rest, they say, his history.
Right now Chris is finishing his degree he started in 1995 at Roosevelt college. He will get an English degree sometime in the next year or two. After that, he wants to get his Masters in Teaching so that he can teach acting and improv to high school students. His gives all credit to Jessica for encouraging him to finish his degree and for believing he could do it(and for help in editing his papers).
Any other questions about Chris's past can be sent to his publicist.
Thank you for reading.
| | Jessica Lynn Hoff was born in San Jose, CA to Calvin and Linda and big sister Gretchen. Within 6 years their family was complete with the births of Eric and Laura. In 1988 the Family Hoff moved to Fresno, CA where Jessica completed her youth as a member of marching band, jazz band, an occasional soccer team, theatre clubs and youth groups. The Family Hoff traveled throughout the years, where Jessica gained some of her most fond memories. They spent summers in the small beach town of Carpinteria with extended family and spent several summers on marathon camping trips throughout the US in the infamous Happy Hoffmobile (1984 White Ford XL Van). Jessica and Gretchen were fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks in Japan with their grandparents and parents. Jessica went off to college in Kalamazoo, MI (yes, ALL the way from CA) and thrived as a theatre major. She spent her college years on stage, behind the stage, working in the admission office, hanging on the quintissential quadrangle, and enjoying time with new friends.
Jessica moved to Chicago after graduation to help start the Tangerine Arts Group, a collaborative arts NFP, with other "K" alumni. She worked in community outreach and eventually took over as Managing Director and then Executive Director, producing radio shows, theatre, galleries and circuses over the years. She simultaneously worked for the Illinois Housing Development Authority and learned a new language - affordable housing!
In Fall 2006, after two years with Chris by her side and various promotions, Jessica was faced with a fork in the road and she happily chose to pursue her business interests and moved into development from public finance. She now enjoys traveling up and down the Chicago lakefront and throughout the state, working on creating or preserving housing stock. She is currently enjoying a break from the arts but still feels them running through her blood and looks forward to someday pursuing the Hozac dream to open a community arts center and training facility.
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