Chip Duford

Born Norman Kenyon Duford in Flint, Michigan on September 28, 1967. Went to high school at Genesee High School in Genesee, Michigan. Did musical theatre in high school. Decided to major in Medicine at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Pre-Medicine major lasted for about one semester. Elected to change to Biology. First theatre production outside of high school was Cotton Patch Gospel for the Hope College Theatre Department. First non-musical role was a tragedian in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead for the Hope College Theatre Department. Gradually began to take acting classes, meanwhile newly formed Biology major grade point average was rapidly falling. Decided to make the leap and change to theatre for a major, with the blessing of his parents, despite the need to add one extra year of study. Graduated from Hope College in 1990 with a B.A. in Theatre. Did an acting internship at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. Entered Graduate School at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in the fall of 1991. Graduated with an M.F.A. in Theatre Performance in 1994. Was a member of the original cast of a musical called CHAPS! which premiered at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in 1995. Joined the Actors Union, Actors' Equity, in 1997, reprising the role he created in CHAPS! for the Tacoma Actors' Guild in Tacoma, WA. Has played Clive Cooper (the role he created in CHAPS!) in 5 different productions for 3 different theatres. Has played Vinnie Black, "The Cadillac of Caterers" in the Detroit Production of Tony and Tina's Wedding over 300 times. Was in the original cast of a new play by Eric Coble entitled Bright Ideas, which premiered at The Cleveland Play House in Cleveland, OH. Has worked at the following theatres: Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, The Monomoy Theatre, Nebraska Repertory Theatre.