Actor Spotlight

Annie Get Your Gun star comes full circle with Irving's Lyric Stage

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.

Gregory Lush, Sam Swanson, Cockerell and Bryan Lewis in Assassins at Theatre Three.

Theatre Three Facebook

Gregory Lush, Sam Swanson, Cockerell and Bryan Lewis in Assassins at Theatre Three.

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Music and Fashion

Miranda Lambert's 'Velvet Rodeo' wardrobe stars in new DFW exhibition

“Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo” at National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

Photo by Tyler Conrad

“Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo” will open on November 7 at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.

Country star Miranda Lambert is bringing a bit of Las Vegas glamour and bling to North Texas. Her one-of-a-kind wardrobe from her "Velvet Rodeo" residency will go on display at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth when its new Icons Gallery opens November 7.

According to a release, the exhibition, called "Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo," was created in collaboration with Lambert, and will feature costumes from the singer's Las Vegas residency, which ran from September 2022 to April 2024.

Lambert said her inspiration came from an earlier visit to the Fort Worth museum, where she spotted historic Western pieces that she photographed and sent to her stylist, Tiffany Gifford. They combined those influences with the glitz of Elvis Presley's heyday to create the "Velvet Rodeo" wardrobe.

“Seeing these pieces now have a life beyond the stage as part of the Museum’s new Icons Gallery feels really full circle and special,” Lambert said in a statement.

Visitors will now have the opportunity to study garments usually seen in motion and under stage lights, appreciating the details that help transform clothing into an essential part of a performance.

The Icons Gallery is part of the Museum’s 16,000-square-foot expansion, which introduces new galleries and experiences that explore the accomplishments and influence of women of the West. The $19 million expansion features a new entrance facing Dickies Arena, new galleries including a photography gallery, an event space accommodating up to 250, and the new Cowgirl Carousel.

Miranda Lambert, right, with rodeo queens onstage at the 45th Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon at Dickies Arena. Photo by Ashley Gongora

Lambert, who was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2021, is an active mounted shooting competitor and horsewoman, giving her a connection to the West that reaches beyond her music. "Velvet Rodeo" brings together Lambert's identity as a cowgirl and her creative expression as a performer.

“Miranda’s confidence, determination and independence make her a wonderful representative of the women we honor,” says Pat Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, in the release. “Opening our Icons Gallery with this collaboration celebrates her accomplishments while giving visitors a new way to connect with a cowgirl they know and admire.”

According to a museum spokesperson, the temporary exhibition will remain on display for at least one year; no specific end date was given.

In preparation for the expansion grand opening, the Cowgirl will be closed to the public beginning October 19 and will reopen November 7, with a members-only preview at 10 am and a public opening at noon.

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