If you’ve been paying attention to DFW theater over the past few years, a certain redhead might look familiar. Daron Cockerell has popped up everywhere from WaterTower Theatre in Addison to Runway Theatre Company in Grapevine to Theatre Three in Uptown. Now she’s returning to Irving to star in Lyric Stage’s concert production of Annie Get Your Gun.
Although it runs only one weekend (January 22-25), the show is a coup for Cockerell. Before she starts “doin’ what comes naturally,” she took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun and sometimes ridiculous questions.
Name: Daron Cockerell
Role in Annie Get Your Gun: Annie Oakley
Previous work in the DFW area: The Desert Song, Too Many Girls (Lyric Stage); Bonnie & Clyde (WaterTower), Assassins (Theatre Three); Kiss Me Kate (Plaza Theatre Company); Great American Trailer Park Musical (Runway Theatre Company)
Hometown: Fort Worth
Where you currently reside: Fort Worth
First theater role: I think Gertie in Oklahoma in high school? Although my first role after school was ensemble in Annie Get Your Gun.
First stage show you ever saw: I remember seeing The Phantom of the Opera in NYC when I was about 8.
Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: I haven’t really had that moment. I just keep auditioning for things, and it keeps working out. During the day I am VP of sales and product management at a dental software company.
Most challenging role you’ve played: I think I would say Mother in Ragtime.
Special skills: Twirling my hair.
Something you’re REALLY bad at: Housework. I’m awful at that.
Current pop culture obsession: I don’t think I have one. Is BuzzFeed considered pop culture? If there is a BuzzFeed list, I’m going to click on it.
Last book you read: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Favorite movie(s): Willow
Favorite musician(s): Stephanie J. Block
Favorite song: “Something Beautiful” by Flaherty and Ahrens
Dream role: There are way too many answers to this. Today, I’m going with Eponine in Les Miserables.
Favorite play(s): The Other Place. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was also excellent. And Noises Off.
Favorite musical(s): Sunday in the Park with George or Seussical or Ragtime or Next to Normal or Kiss Me Kate or Rent or Les Miserables. This question is too hard.
Favorite actors/actresses: For theater, I would go see anything with Adam Chanler-Berat or Audra McDonald in it.
Favorite food: Popcorn, air popped with coconut oil, pepper, turmeric and nutritional yeast.
Must-see TV show(s): Amazing Race, Orphan Black, The Office (BBC)
Something most people don’t know about you: I would tell you, but then everyone would know? I have no idea.
Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Ireland
Pre-show warm-up: I usually have to drive at least 30 minutes to get to whatever show I’m doing, so I warm up in the car using a random warm-up recording my sister made years ago. And I make random belty sounds, and I use rehearsal recordings to go over songs and lines. I usually have water and hot tea and an apple backstage, but it depends on the role.
Favorite part about your current role: Annie’s joy and her great songs.
Most challenging part about your current role: How much Annie sings.
Most embarrassing onstage mishap: The only thing I can think of was when I once forgot to under-dress my nightclothes in My Fair Lady and got (lovingly?) shoved onstage in my corset and bloomers because there wasn’t time to go get them.
Career you’d have if you weren’t a performer: I have no idea. I haven’t really gotten the whole “career” thing down.
Favorite post-show spot: Wherever the cast is going. For Lyric, that is usually Champps.
Favorite thing about Dallas-Forth Worth: Currently, it is the new expressways! Also, the growing number of vegan-friendly restaurants and local coffee shops. So much good food!
Most memorable theater moment: Today, I’m going with seeing [title of show] on Broadway in the second row. It was an unexpectedly amazing experience.
Michael Hewitt as Frank Butler and Cockerell as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, playing January 22-25 at Irving Arts Center.
