Actor Spotlight

Dallas actor Akron Watson channels '70s funk for Fortress of Solitude

Even if you've never read The Fortress of Solitude, the title might sound familiar. Dallas Theater Center is adapting the popular coming-of-age novel into a stage musical (which Time.com noted as one to watch), and author Jonathan Lethem visited the DMA last month to talk about the process of bringing his story from the page to the stage.

Likewise, even if you don't immediately recognize the name Akron Watson, chances are you've seen his work. The Dallas native last graced the DTC stage in Kevin Moriarty's reimagined A Christmas Carol as Bob Cratchit, and he was in 2011's To Kill a Mockingbird. But he's also popped up on practically every Dallas-Fort Worth stage from Theatre Three to Lyric Stage to Casa Mañana.

Add on a featured role in the TV series Friday Night Lights and a controversial appearance on American Idol, and Watson is a memorable performer.

Catch him in The Fortress of Solitude at Dallas Theater Center through April 6, and stay late after the show as he moderates a talk-back with the audience. Watson recently took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun and sometimes ridiculous questions.

Name: Akron Watson

Role in The Fortress of Solitude: Subtle Distinction. I wish I could say more.

Previous work in the DFW area: So many shows I am proud of. A few are The Shipment, Undermain Theatre; Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Theatre Three; Diary of a Worm, Dallas Children's Theater; and Fences, African American Rep.

Hometown: Right here in Dallas. Pleasant Grove, to be specific.

Where you currently reside: Old East Dallas

First theater role: Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at my church

First stage show you ever saw: An original piece about the story of David and Goliath at my elementary school

Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: I don't recall a specific moment. A number of people and places helped me decide — the exceptional educators at Collin County Community College, playing Mercutio in a re-envisioned version of Romeo & Juliet and super supportive parents.

Most challenging role you've played: Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird at Dallas Theater Center. He had such a beautifully simple mind and such a pivotal role in an American classic story.

Special skills: Um, singing? You can't tell from this, but I'm a pretty great writer. I'll prove that one day.

Something you're REALLY bad at: I plead the fifth!

Current pop culture obsession: Instagram! Facebook! Basically my cellphone.

Last book you read: I'm going to name drop real quick: The Actor and the Target, given to me by DTC Resident Acting Company member and SMU professor Michael Connolly. Great guy, great book.

Favorite movie(s): Epics and sci-fi, anything Marvel, all the new Batmans, Gladiator

Favorite musician(s): John Legend

Favorite song: "All of Me"

Dream role: Coalhouse in Ragtime

Favorite play(s):Tempest, All My Sons, Top Dog/Underdog, all things August Wilson

Favorite food: Salmon

Must-see TV show(s): I never watch TV.

Something most people don't know about you: People don't know those things for a reason.

Place in the world you'd most like to visit: London, Australian, Russia — all to audition.

Pre-show warm-up: "Trinida and the big Mississippi, and the town Honolulu, and the Lake Titicaca, the popacatapital is not in Canada, rather in Mexico Mexico Mexico, Canada, Malaga, Remedy Brendesey, Tibet, Tibet Tibet ..."

Favorite part about your current role: The dancing. The feeling of moving to a vibe of the '70s: funk!

Most challenging part about your current role: The dancing!

Most embarrassing onstage mishap: Once I wore boxers in a scene without a button. It was a very intimate black box theater full of family and friends. It was a really long scene. Many times in the scene I was blocked to walk downstage toward the audience and just stand and deliver. I could literally feel the eyes ... smh ...

Career you'd have if you weren't a performer: Math teacher or accountant

Favorite post-show spot: A booth with the cast, with a table covered in Mexican food and tequila

Favorite thing about Dallas-Fort Worth: The space, the job market, the prices and DTC

Most memorable theater moment: Breaking down into tears during a rehearsal of To Kill A Mockingbird as Tom Robinson. All the pressure and power of representing a man, a family and an entire race wrapped in such a simple set of answers. The complex nature of his disposition: innocent but filled with guilt, terrified but just brave enough, tortured. It was a breakthrough for me as an actor and as a black man to find Tom Robinson and live as him onstage.

Akron Watson starring in To Kill a Mockingbird.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" at Dallas Theater Center

Photo by Karen Almond

Akron Watson starring in To Kill a Mockingbird.

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Ballet news

Texas Ballet Theater executive director leaving for new gig in Northeast

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater

Vanessa Logan joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2016.

Vanessa Logan, who has served as Texas Ballet Theater executive director since 2016, is leaving TBT for a new role in the Northeast, the company says. Her final day with TBT will be June 30, 2025.

The move will allow Logan to be closer to her family, the organization says. Her new position has not yet been announced.

"While we will greatly miss Vanessa and her leadership at TBT, we support her decision to do what is best for her and her family and wish her well in her new pursuit," says TBT board of governors chair Anne T. Bass in a May 19 release. "Throughout her tenure at TBT, Vanessa has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism. It has been a delight to have worked closely with Vanessa over the last nine years, and I am most grateful for her unstinting efforts that have advanced TBT in so many respects."

Logan joined North Texas' largest ballet company before the 2016-17 season; she previously had worked at the American Repertory Ballet in New Jersey and Boston Ballet.

"Being part of TBT has been an immensely enriching and transformative experience. Partnering with Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe, working alongside such talented artists, and collaborating with a dedicated administrative and school staff has been a true privilege," Logan says in the release. "I am also deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our committed Board Chair and the Board of Governors, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental. Contributing to productions that bring beauty and artistry to our audiences and nurturing ballet education for countless children in Dallas-Fort Worth has been incredibly rewarding."

During her tenure with TBT, Logan helped the company navigate through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 followed by a catastrophic winter storm of 2021; she helped smooth the transition of artistic director from Ben Stevenson to Tim O'Keefe in 2023; and she oversaw new school facilities in Richardson and Dallas. TBT has also begun a 65,000-square-foot renovation of its Fort Worth facility to support future growth.

"Vanessa’s support and partnership during the transition was phenomenal. I cannot imagine another leader better equipped to guide TBT seamlessly through such a transformational change," O’Keefe says. "Her steadfastness instilled confidence and built trust with staff, students and subscribers as she ensured that we held true to TBT’s mission of honoring classical ballet while embracing a new chapter of artistic evolution."

TBT’s Board of Governors will immediately start searching for Logan’s successor and will quickly name an interim executive director to oversee operations until a permanent leader is in place, they say.

Texas Ballet Theater, which is a resident company of both Winspear Opera House in Dallas and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, just closed its 2024-25 season with O'Keefe's all-new staging of the beloved ballet Giselle.

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