As a founding member and executive producer of Undermain Theatre, Bruce DuBose has seen a lot of successes during the acclaimed theater company's 29 seasons. His work onstage, both at Undermain and around Dallas, has garnered rave reviews and made him a local stage celebrity.
In October of last year, DuBose embraced another acting challenge when he performed in Undermain's An Iliad with musician Paul Semrad. The one-man show was a whirlwind, calling on DuBose to embody Achilles and all the other players of the Trojan War while channeling the complex emotions and reactions through a blend of modern language and Homer's lyrical but difficult poetry.
Now, due to popular demand, Undermain is reviving An Iliad for an exclusive two-week engagement. Before DuBose once again steps into his role as the wandering poet, he took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun and sometimes ridiculous questions.
Full name: Bruce DuBose
Previous work in the DFW area: Blasted, Macbeth, Penelope, The Birthday Party, Endgame and several dozen others at Undermain. Arms and the Man, Alice: Tales of a Curious Girl, A Family Affair and Porcelain, all at Dallas Theater Center. Long Way Go Down at Kitchen Dog. Antony and Cleopatra at Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. Fool for Love at Stage West.
Hometown: Dallas
Where you currently reside: Lakewood
First theater role: Jonathan Harker in Dracula at Harry C. Withers elementary school
First stage show you ever saw: Aside from my sister Belinda’s appearance as an angel and the Ice Capades, it was most likely the Dallas Summer Musicals’ production of Fiddler on the Roof with Herschel Bernardi as Tevye.
Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: I decided to pursue a career as an actor. The theater was inseparable from a desire to perform.
Most challenging role you’ve played: Ian in Sarah Kane’s Blasted
Special skills: Guitar player, harmonica, keyboard and composition as well as cat whistling and blue yodeling
Something you’re REALLY bad at: Golf
Current pop culture obsession: Post-steampunk
Last book you read: Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern
Favorite movie(s): Last Tango in Paris, The Wages of Fear, The Bride of Frankenstein, to name a few
Favorite musician(s): Ravi Shankar, John Lee Hooker, Lenny Kravitz, Bob Dylan, Alabama Shakes
Favorite song: "Stand by Me"
Dream role(s): Marc Antony (again), James Tyrone, one that begins with "L" and ends with "EAR," and Danton in Danton’s Death
Favorite play(s): Antony and Cleopatra
Favorite musical(s): Once, Man of La Mancha, Greendale
Favorite actor(s): Daniel Day-Lewis, Alan Bates, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Kingsley, Robert Mitchum, Julianne Moore, Ellen Burstyn, Claire Bloom. This could go on and on.
Favorite food: Linguine with clam sauce
Must-see TV show(s): Mad Men, The Wire
Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Tibet
Pre-show warm-up: Kundalini yoga, chi gong, and vocal and diction exercises
Favorite part about your current role: Reciting large sections of Homer
Most challenging part about your current role: Reciting large sections of Homer
Most embarrassing onstage mishap: Once tripped over a toga
Career you’d have if you weren’t a performer: Benefactor for any cause pursued by [Undermain artistic director] Katherine Owens
Favorite post-show spot: Sons of Hermann Hall’s downstairs saloon
Favorite thing about Dallas-Forth Worth: Great arts scene and great people
Most memorable theater moment: Performing Goose and Tomtom for playwright David Rabe at Undermain or touring the play Sarejevo in Macedonia
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An Iliad plays May 29-June 15 at Undermain Theatre.
Bruce DuBose in An Iliad at Undermain Theatre.
