Chrisanne Blankenship is not just a talented producer—she’s an impassioned advocate, creative visionary, and devoted wife of actor and activist Alexandra Billings. While she may not be quite as well-known to the general public as her wife, Chrisanne has worked quietly to educate important discussions around LGBTQ+ visibility, theatrical storytelling, and diverse production. As a producer, director, and writer, she has prioritized projects that amplify marginalized voices and powerful stories. Her collaboration with Schmengie, Inc., which she co-founded, has provided access to underrepresented perspectives in television and theatre.
Chrisanne has been a leader in promoting diversity off-camera throughout her career, adding emotional depth and authenticity to every production she is involved in. From working with the incendiary one-woman play Before I Disappear to handling logistics and creative aspects on several projects, her passion for art and honesty has inspired numerous others. Here in this definitive biography, we take a look at who Chrisanne Blankenship is, how she became a professional, how she lives with Alexandra Billings, and what’s in store for this driven and compassionate artist.
Quick Bio
Name: | Chrisanne Blankenship |
Birthday: | January 28, 1959 |
Age | 66 |
Birth Location | Huntington, West Virginia, USA |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christianity |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Occupation: | Director, Producer, Writer, LGBTQ+ Activist, Wife of Alexandra Billings |
@schmengieinc |
Who Is Chrisanne Blankenship?
Chrisanne Blankenship is an American theater producer, writer, and director best known for her collaborative efforts with wife Alexandra Billings. She has decades of experience in entrepreneurship and entertainment behind her, making her a unique blend of strategic management and artistic sensibility behind her productions. As Schmengie, Inc.’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she is involved in a lot of work in coming up with stage shows based on inclusion, authenticity, and life-transforming storytelling.
Her credits also include co-writing and producing Before I Disappear, a profoundly personal one-woman show concerning identity, transformation, and the LGBTQ+ experience. Chrisanne’s work is frequently behind the scenes, yet her impact resonates across the theater community. She’s celebrated for her commitment to integrity, representation, and the type of storytelling that will leave audiences transformed. Her work bears witness to her core conviction that the stage should reflect the world in all its complication and diversity.
Early Life
Chrisanne Blankenship was born on the 28th of January 1959, in Huntington, West Virginia. She was raised in humble beginnings by parents James Harrison and Janice Carol Blankenship, and they instilled her with independence and curiosity at an early age. Despite the fact that very little of her early life is made available to the public, it’s safe to say that her childhood established the foundations of her resilience, work ethic, and artistic drive. Her childhood ingrained in her strong family values, along with values of equality and empathy.
She continued to study at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications in 1981. This academic base proved an excellent foundation for what was to come in business and the arts. Although she did begin her professional career in sales, it soon became clear that creative collaboration and people-centered storytelling were more to her taste. Her training in communications has been invaluable in her later career, where she has often acted as a liaison between creative idea and hard fact.
Career Beginnings
Before she entered the field of theatre and media, Chrisanne started out in corporate America as a salesperson with Procter & Gamble. Thriving in that field, she eventually found herself seeking another venture better suited to her artistic aspirations. This career change landed her in the field of creative production and ultimately producing work with partner Alexandra Billings in the form of theatrical productions that dealt with personal and social issues.
Chrisanne’s breakthrough came in co-writing and producing Alexandra’s gripping stage play Before I Disappear, which explores gender identity, addiction, and redemption. The play was toured around the U.S. and received kudos for its honesty and emotional resonance. This project not only marked her transition to full-time creative work but also paved the way for future productions under their own production banner, Schmengie, Inc. Her professional trajectory suggests her risk-taking and norm-challenging personality to seek out big storytelling.
Who Is Chrisanne Blankenship’s Wife?
Chrisanne is the spouse of acclaimed actress, singer, and transactivist Alexandra Billings. Theirs is a romance that dates back to their adolescence in Illinois when they took a high school drama class together in 1976. Their relationship was forged through the years, weathering personal and professional disappointments. They had a commitment ceremony in 1995 and became legally wedded in 2008 when same-sex marriage became legal in California.
Ours is not just a love relationship—it’s also very working together. They’ve worked together on several productions and are continuing to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in their collaborative efforts. Alexandra has had Chrisanne as her rock during some of her most difficult moments, including health issues and shifting landscapes in the entertainment world. Their love and support for each other are the model of a relationship based on compassion, respect, and artistic expression.

Chrisanne Blankenship’s Physical Appearance
Chrisanne Blankenship has also been known to stand before us with a warm and inviting presence, both on and off stage. She stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and approaches us quietly confidently. Her sense of style also leans towards casual elegance, combining functionality with subtle refinement—same as her personality of being one for depth over superficial things.
On public appearances and social media posts, Chrisanne is always with natural makeup, comfortable clothes, and a serene attitude that reflects much about her grounded personality. Contrary to some of the more glamorous personalities in the entertainment industry, Chrisanne’s strength lies in her genuineness and ability to lead behind the scenes. She has the kind of composure and commitment that is now a hallmark of her public and private lives.
Net Worth
While exact money figures are not publicly confirmed, Chrisanne Blankenship’s estimated net worth is roughly $500,000. Most of that is derived from her time working as COO of Schmengie, Inc., work in theatre production, and the occasional directing or writing contract. She has carefully invested her time and energy into pursuits nearest to her heart, allowing influence to precede profit.
Her wife, Alexandra Billings, has a more recognized profession with an estimated net worth of $5 million, earned through television, Broadway, and public speaking ventures. Together, they have created a fiscal partnership that enables their creative work and philanthropy. They continue to leverage their combined strength to honor underrepresented voices and fight for their favorite causes.
Social Media
Unlike most celebrities in the entertainment industry, Chrisanne has a relatively low profile on social media. She has no active public accounts on such platforms as Instagram or Twitter, although she occasionally makes the occasional showing in posts presented by Alexandra Billings. Such sporadic appearances give fans the occasional glimpses into their working life, which is full of humor, imagination, and strong mutual support.
Although not abundantly active online, Chrisanne’s online life accommodates her need for private rather than public attention. Instead of having a personal brand, she is content to focus on real-world projects and people. This position is consistent with her behind-the-scenes overachiever status—letting the work stand on its own rather than seeking the spotlight.
Future Prospects and Vision
Chrisanne Blankenship doesn’t see herself slowing down. Through Schmengie, Inc., she keeps pushing forward with a focus on developing content that amplifies marginalized voices and challenges viewers to think more. On her to-do list: pushing their production company further afield, making more diverse content, and mentoring up-and-coming LGBTQ+ creatives.
She also anticipates collaborating with Alexandra Billings on upcoming stage and film projects, continuing their legacy of truthful, emotional storytelling. As the world opens itself up more and more to diverse storytelling, Chrisanne’s voice—and the spaces she makes available—will be summoned to mold the entertainment world more and more. Her vision of what’s next is not more art, but more equity, truth, and representation.
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