— About
Charissa Barton is a director, choreographer, and producer known for crafting emotionally resonant, visually striking work across stage and screen. With a rare blend of artistic rigor, entrepreneurial savvy, and international experience, she brings a cinematic eye, choreographic intelligence, and collaborative spirit to every project.
Charissa’s creative journey began as a professional dancer by age 17, eventually leading her to train at The Juilliard School under Benjamin Harkarvy and perform internationally with the Parsons Dance Company. Her career has taken her to some of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, Maison de la Danse, and Teatro La Fenice, as well as top festivals such as Jacob’s Pillow, Spoleto, and Umbria Jazz.
As a choreographer and movement director, her collaborators span stage and screen—from visionary choreographers like Robert Battle and Aszure Barton to theater legends like Julie Taymor and directors like James Gunn. She gained international acclaim for choreographing the viral opening title sequence of Gunn’s Peacemaker (HBO/Max), and her work has appeared on SyFy, Netflix, and at premier venues such as Chicago’s Pritzker Pavilion and NYC’s Ailey Theater.
Beyond the arts, Charissa is a multidisciplinary force. She studied Computer Technology and Applications at Columbia University, founded a boutique tech consulting firm in NYC, and helped launch a wellness company based in Ireland. As co-founder of Axis Connect, she has mentored hundreds of emerging artists, and as former President of SQ Foundation, she helped deliver education and humanitarian aid across India, Ethiopia, Peru, and more. Currently, she and her husband Alan Tudyk run One Love Fund, supporting global charitable initiatives through impact campaigns.
Charissa recently completed UCLA’s prestigious Directing Program and is expanding into directing film and television with a focus on stories that elevate humanity, ignite curiosity, and push the boundaries of form. With deep industry roots and a future-facing vision, she’s a powerful creative partner for collaborators seeking bold, thoughtful, and multidimensional work.