A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Chris Champagne is a graduate of the Orleans Parish School system and of the University of New Orleans with a BA in History. He is a writer, performer, poet, comedian, political satirist, radio show host and columnist who has performed his work on stages all over the Greater New Orleans area. He was voted one of 144 New Orleans Characters in 2012 and was voted best comedian in New Orleans in 2013 and 2014. He was a member of National Poetry Slam teams in San Francisco in 1993 and Chicago in 1999. He received artists residencies from the Alliance of Artists in 2006 and The College of Santa Fe in 2008. Chris is the author of the poetry book Roach Opera {Portals Press 2007}, and The Yat Dictionary [Lavender Ink, 2013}, a book on the dialect spoken by native Orleanians. His family on both sides has resided in New Orleans continuously since the first half of the 18th century.