Actor Spotlight
Prolific Dallas actor savors roles both on and off the stage
- Actor and director Garret Storms.Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre
- Storms and Kia Boyer in The Big Meal.Photo by Kelsey Leigh Ervi
- Storms at Benjamin in Second Thought Theatre's Martyr.Photo by Karen Almond
Some are surprised when they find out that Garret Storms is not only a prolific actor in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but a director as well.
Having steered two of Stage West's most recently well-reviewed plays — Mr. Burns, a post-electric play and The Nether — Storms gets back in the spotlight with WaterTower Theatre's The Big Meal.
Before that play, which imagines nearly 80 years of a family's lives in one sitting, Storms took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun, and sometimes ridiculous questions.
Name: Garret Storms
Role in The Big Meal: Man 3
Previous work in the DFW area: Productions at Stage West, WaterTower Theatre, Second Thought Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare, Theatre Three, Amphibian Stage Productions, Shakespeare Dallas
Hometown: Fort Worth
Where you currently reside: Fort Worth
First theater role: Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof
First stage show you ever saw:The Wizard of Oz
Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: I don’t know if I recall a particular moment. I remember knowing that I wanted it as a kid, but I also think there may have been a moment in high school when I understood that it was a real option.
Most challenging role you’ve played: Most recently, Benjamin Südel in Martyr
Special skills: Jenga
Something you’re REALLY bad at: Sneezing quietly
Current pop culture obsession: I mean, Game of Thrones, right??
Last book you read:The Catcher in the Rye … again.
Favorite movie(s): The Wizard of Oz
Favorite musician(s): The Dresden Dolls
Favorite song: "Over the Rainbow"
Dream role: The Emcee in Cabaret
Favorite play(s): There are so many great ones, and I am far too indecisive to come up with a proper response.
Favorite musical(s): (See above.)
Favorite actors/actresses: Cate Blanchett
Favorite food: Yes
Must-see TV show(s): I recently finished the current season of House of Cards. It was just fine.
Something most people don’t know about you: I am an Eagle Scout.
Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Hogwarts
Pre-show warm-up: It sort of varies show to show — maybe stretches, a quick run, vocals, lines, and walking through the show.
Favorite part about your current role: I love that this show is such an ensemble piece, and I’m beyond humbled to be working alongside this group of artists.
Most challenging part about your current project: I think making all of the shifts and transitions between generations and characters seamless and clearly is a big challenge of the script, but it is proving to be a fun and fascinating process.
Most embarrassing onstage mishap: I once missed the stage manager’s "places" call for a Christmas panto and had to awkwardly find my way to the middle of the stage mid-dance break halfway through the opening number of Act 2.
Career you’d have if you weren’t in theater: Who is the person that names the newest colors and shades of paint? Because THAT.
Favorite post-show spot: There are a few, but The Bearded Lady certainly makes the list.
Favorite thing about Dallas-Forth Worth: There are a lot of awesome things about Dallas-Fort Worth. Not rush hour, though.
Most memorable theater moment: I have seen some incredible theater — I don’t know if I could choose just one. But I will say, the one moment that I feel like all theater people will never forget is the first time the saw Elphaba defy gravity [in Wicked]. On behalf of the theater collective, does that count?
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WaterTower Theatre's The Big Meal runs April 18-May 8.
