Alumni Spotlight: Beyond the Stage with Christiana (’13)

Christiana (’13) turned her passion for performance into a global career in musical theatre, and is now helping others find their own creative path.

Christiana graduated from ISZL in 2013 with an IB Diploma. Her final year was a truly defining one — it marked the launch of the campus’ very first musical theatre production. Together with classmate and friend Meghan Mendelin, they directed Legally Blonde: The Musical. From casting to rehearsals, ticket sales to fundraising, they managed every detail and proudly donated all proceeds to Pink Ribbon Schweiz. It was a significant undertaking during an already demanding academic year, but the outcome was a heartwarming success and remains one of their most cherished ISZL memories. While balancing final IB exams and rehearsals, Christiana travelled between countries auditioning for programmes.

After graduating from ISZL, Christiana moved to the UK to pursue professional training in musical theatre. She completed a 3-year Level 6 Vocational Diploma in Dance & Musical Theatre at BodyWork Dance Company in Cambridge, gained her BA in Musical Theatre from the Guildford School of Acting, followed by her MA in Music Theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Since then, her performing career has taken her across the globe, with credits including Universal Studios Beijing (where she was selected to perform as part of the opening cast), Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi and AIDA Cruises. Performing across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East offered valuable insight into how different cultures approach careers in the arts. This realisation that there’s no single “right” path to success, inspired Christiana to create Artist Avenue Podcast, a platform that celebrates the diverse journeys of creatives around the world and reinforces the message that each path is valid and unique.

In addition to performing, Christiana is a fully qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and accredited Life Coach — two roles that provide stability and balance during audition seasons and in between contracts.

Much of her creative foundation was shaped by the supportive teaching staff at ISZL. Theatre teacher Miss Allen fostered a creative, collaborative classroom environment, where students were encouraged to experiment and take ownership of their ideas, especially meaningful in a small class of three. Mr. Wasner played a vital role in bringing Legally Blonde to life, providing invaluable musical support throughout the production. And it was Mrs. Mullen who deepened Chistianas love for English literature, Shakespeare, and classical writing — ultimately influencing the decision to study theatre in the UK.

Favourite Teacher
Mrs. Mullen!

Unforgettable Moments
There are countless special memories from ISZL, but a few stand out in particular:

• “A trip to Iceland, where we connected with nature, supported local communities and stood in awe under the northern lights.”
• “A volunteer project in Greece, helping at a turtle sanctuary and witnessing the turtles return safely to the ocean, a deeply moving experience.”
• “The Theatre and English trip to London, which was full of laughter and discovery.”