VIA Times Filipino American Lifestyle and Culture in the Greater Chicago Area
CHIP PAYOS
EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS
Nominator: Jovie Calma, VT “Wassup” Columnist
CPRTV Interview Host
Born and raised in the Philippines, Chip Payos is proud to be a Filipino actor performing in the American stage, in pursuit of his passion for theatre.
His latest performance was in the Drury Lane Theatre’s blockbuster West Side Story. He has also performed in Paramount Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Drury Lane, Porchlight Music Theatre, Bailiwick Chicago, LightOperaWorks, and has likewise choreographed and acted in numerous Circa-Pintig productions. He has been a first company dancer of the Joel Hall Dancers of Chicago.
He has studied acting with the Filipino world-renowned director Anton Juan and with Chicago’s great Dennis Zacek at Victory Gardens Theatre. His favorite roles are Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in “Sweet Stranger: the Untold Story of Josephine Bracken” alongside diva Lani Misalucha, Pol in Bayan-Bayanan with Philippine premier actress Cherie Gil and the Filipino American pioneer literary figure and labor leader Carlos Bulosan in “Allos: The Story of Carlos Bulosan.”
He is instrumental to the formation of a new multi-cultural theatre group Moon Crane Theatre Company and slated to perform Jean Genet’s The Maids this coming winter.
Payos is a licensed physical therapist in Illinois for the past 24 years and is now working on his doctorate in physical therapy. He has been very passionate about his dual careers as an actor and a physical therapist, but even prouder to be a recent foster parent.
He expresses profuse gratitude to his life partner Gordon, to Ms. Jovie Calma of VT/CPRTV, ultimate dance teacher, Mr. Joel Hall, Via Times and CPRTV’s Tita Veron and Tito Joe, all his friends and family and to his little one and joy of his life, JL, for enriching their lives and to God Almighty, the best director/actor of them all! More than anything else, Chip Payos is more than honored to be in the company of excellent Filipino American citizens who have made a difference in the Chicago community in all areas of endeavor.
