Photo Credit:
@find_memphis, John Moore, Noby Edwards, and Lisa Lynch
To get to the top of things, you've gotta stay on top of things. ~ me
About Claire
"Growing up, I'd always wanted to help people. It was either go to medical school or perform... Welp! Looks like I made the right choice!"
Born and raised in Miami, FL, to loving and supportive Haitian parents, Claire began performing at the tender age of... well, let's just say she was very, very young.
Throughout grade school, high school, and college, she was always involved in music, dramatic arts, and other performing arts. However, after graduating from college, Claire's true calling, love, and passion for the arts drew her out of a thriving career in public education and unto centerstage.
After attending in the Boston Conservatory for Music, Claire's career took a fast ride upwards and continues to soar!
This highly sought after performer has travelled throughout the United States and performed on various professional theatre stages througout the Midwest, New England, and most recently the South. Claire has been a part of award-nominated and award-winning ensemble casts including:
--- Best Ensemble Cast: SEUSSICAL, Wheelock Family Theatre
(2009 - nomination)
--- Best Musical Production: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Peterborough Players
(2010 - nomination)
--- Best Musical:
AVENUE Q, Circuit Playhouse
(2012 - WINNER)
Born and raised in Miami, FL, to loving and supportive Haitian parents, Claire began performing from the tender age of... well, let's just say she was very, very young! Throughout grade school, high school, and college, she was always involved in music, dramatic arts, and other performing arts.
After college, she began working in a more corporate setting and was promoted to leadership positions in a relatively short period of time. However, her true calling, love, and passion for the arts drew her out from a thriving career and into the spotlight. She left her corporate job and enrolled in the musical theatre program at the Boston Conservatory for Music.
After attending in the Boston Conservatory, Claire's career took a fast ride upwards and continues to soar!
This highly sought after performer has traveled throughout the United States and performed on various professional theatre stages throughout the Midwest, New England, and most recently the South.
Claire has not only received numerous awards for her onstage performance, but has also been a part of award-nominated and award-winning ensemble casts including:
--- Best Ensemble Cast:
SEUSSICAL, Wheelock Family Theatre (2009 - nomination)
--- Best Musical Production:
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Peterborough Players
(2010 - nomination)
--- Best Musical:
AVENUE Q, Circuit Playhouse
(2012 - WINNER)
In 2011, Claire was awarded her first, coveted Ostrander Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Sarah" in RAGTIME. The following year, she was awarded another Ostrander for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her performance as "Elizabeth" in Circuit Playhouse's production of IN THE NEXT ROOM... or the vibrator play.
She received her fifth Ostrander Award for her portrayal of "Rosie" in MAMMA MIA! The 2016-2017 season marked Claire's sixth year as a Resident Company member at Playhouse on the Square, Memphis' only Professional Theatre.
Claire holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Florida A&M University and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. She is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women.
She currently resides in Memphis, TN with her husband and pooches, Kingston "the King" Kolheim and Gabbie "No one's Slipper is Safe" Kolheim. Love to Foxy.
Growing up, I'd always wanted to help people. I made the decision to change the trajectory of my life to fulfill this mission. It was either go to medical school or perform... Welp, looks like I made the right choice.
