Art Animates Life

Charles has written thousands of newspaper articles, magazine stories, and columns for the San Diego Union Tribune, The Orange County Register, The Reader, The Californian, and dozens more. 

Carr has received many writing accolades including recent back-to-back San Diego Press Club awards. Many of his stories, articles, and essays appear in college textbooks published by Macmillan; St. Martin's Press; Bedford, Freeman & Worth; and associated imprints.

Carr is author of What a World, a collection of vignettes and award-winning newspaper columns chronicling twenty years in the San Diego backcountry.

Carr's background in the world of journalism has created an excellent basis for penning scripts and stage plays, most of which have a classical literature, historical, or true crime footing. His theatrical works have been produced at prestigious venues across the nation and attended by thousands. Works include Mark Twain's A Christmas Carol; Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Angels; Passage Into Fear; Mr. Scrooge & Mr. Dickens; The Dangerous Christmas; All the Time in the World; and Hope Springs, Eternal.

Carr's newest thriller will premiere Dec. 2023 at the CA Center for the Arts Escondido.

A decade ago, Charles, his wife Marsi Carr, and others looking for ways to help organizations struggling in difficult economic times founded Art Animates Life, a CA incorporated, federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Art Animates Life along with its award-winning theatrical company, North County Players, have raised tens-of-thousands of dollars for San Diego area charities including a disaster relief agency, arts nonprofits, a municipal art gallery, veterans' relief funds, a community outreach center, a historical society, and several struggling community theaters, among others. Thousands have attended North County Players events and productions.

Art Animates Life's first full-length feature film, Old Dogs, Dirty Tricks, was written and directed by Charles Carr and stars Lolly Boroff and Marsi Carr with Elizabeth Toker, Charlie DeNatale, Neha Curtiss, Tony Flores, Christopher Olson, Gabriella Valesco, Don Martin, Alex Caratti, Austin Williams, Pamela Wise, Dan Cheatham, and Mickey Faerch. Watch the trailer.

A professional musician for more than 20 years, Carr's playing and arranging have been featured on many recordings. He has taken top honors in San Diego Songwriter's Guild competitions for his original musical compositions "Baby's First Words" and "The Twelve Months of Christmas."

Since its inception Carr has produced the Fallbrook International Film Festival's red carpet event and panel discussions.

Charles enjoys speaking from time-to-time to schools and organizations about his eclectic life in the arts and volunteers at his hometown high school as a journalism teacher and student adviser.

Contact us at artanimateslife@gmail.com.