Fine arts teacher Kathryn Whitaker took a flight to New York City two weekends ago to see St. Louis U. High alum Christian Probst ’12 perform on the big stage. Probst, an avid performer at SLUH, was cast as Christian in Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge.”

Probst began his theatrical storyline during his childhood, as he grew up with a family of performers. Growing up, Probst sang in his local parish’s choir Christ, Prince of Peace (CPOP) with his siblings. Along with the chorus, Probst was heavily involved in Muny teens, again, with his siblings. 

“I'd done a lot of professional theater in St. Louis, and knew that that theater was a big, big, big part of my life,” said Probst. “And hopefully it would be a part of my career growing up.”

Following his brother’s lead, Probst applied to St. Louis U. High in the fall of 2007 — though his dad is an alum of Chaminade. 

“I think my brother really likes the fact that SLUH was really good at the arts and equally good at academics and sports,” said Probst. “It just felt like a very well-rounded education and environment, so it was very easy for me to follow along with him. But had he gone to a high school that hadn't prioritized the arts as much or been as good in the arts, I don't think I would have followed suit.”

While attending SLUH, Probst participated in all areas of the Fine Arts program. He worked alongside former choral director Joseph “Doc” Koestner, former theater director Joseph Schulte ’54 and current theatre director Kathryn Whitaker, along with dance teacher Simonie Anzalone. 

“I think that what's so wonderful is that most everyone I've known over the years who have taught here are professionals in their craft or in their field of study and they care about it,” said Whitaker. “It's not just a job, it's a vocation. So if you're really teaching them you're passing on that passion.”

Constantly educated by his teachers, Probst grew exponentially as a performer at SLUH. He could sing, dance, and act extremely well by the end of his high school career — a triple threat. 

“Mrs. Whitaker helped pull me in many different directions and made me realize that I could be so much more than just that,” said Probst. “She gave me challenging monologues and difficult scenes and complex characters to work on and made me love the fact that I could be so much more than just a song and dance man. So it was the combination of all that really widened my knowledge and my love of theater and made me want to pursue that even more.”

Following SLUH, Probst went to Yale University, where he participated in their theater programs. His performances included titles such as “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and “Avenue Q.”

After his four years majoring in theater and economics, Probst headed to the Big Apple, New York City, to continue his performance dreams to the big stage. He debuted on Broadway’s “Book of Mormon” as well as “Boop! The Musical.” Most recently, Probst has been cast as the understudy for the lead of “Moulin Rouge,” Christian, as well as the Duke.

“I told Christian I'm so proud,” said Whitaker. “You don't have to be on Broadway, although that was his dream and that's wonderful. Just to make a living in the theater is very hard, it's a tough road and it is something I'm very proud of. You have to have a lot of talent. Actors and singers and dancers never stop working, they never stop learning, you are perpetually honing the craft and your instruments, so it was exciting and wonderful and really lifted my spirit for the start of the school year.”

“Moulin Rouge” just closed this past Sunday after being on Broadway for a little less than a year. Though Probst has already made it, Broadway still has room for that one more Christian, Romeo, Evan Hansen, or Orpheus.

“Don't try to be anything other than what you are because what you are is unique and singular, and when the time comes that the people who are casting are looking for that one thing, you'll be perfect for it,” said Probst. “But don't limit yourself to just that. Try things. Try and fail. Try again and then realize, oh, you actually are good at it and liked it. You just need a little time to marinate with it. If I had been too scared or hadn't trusted teachers like Mrs. Whitaker to give me challenging and difficult and complex characters and scene work, I would never realize that I could do so much more than I thought I could.”