Actor Spotlight
Dallas actor talks tacos, cheese fries, and Meryl before new role
Whether turning savage on an abandoned island, going down with the ship, or navigating the hardest journey of all — a relationship — Seth Womack brings heaps of emotion and a soulful voice to each role.
The Dallas actor is currently starring with Monique Abry in Jason Robert Brown's gut-punch of a musical, The Last Five Years, at WaterTower Theatre. The two-person musical shows how two young New Yorkers, Jamie and Cathy, come together and fall apart through opposite chronologies, beginning with Cathy mourning their failed relationship and Jamie excited to begin it.
As Womack digs into the incredibly emotional role for the next few weeks (it runs through July 1 at the Addison Conference and Theatre Center), he took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun, and sometimes ridiculous questions.
Name: Seth Ian Womack
Role in The Last Five Years: Jamie
Previous work in the DFW area:Parade in concert, Creep, Lord of the Flies (WaterTower Theatre); Les Miserables (Dallas Theater Center); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Les Miserables (Casa Mañana); Titanic in concert, La Cage Aux Folles (Uptown Players); Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods (Lyric Stage); The Light in the Piazza (Brick Road Theatre).
Hometown: Justin, Texas
Where you currently reside: Dallas
First theater role: A poppy in The Wizard of Oz.
First stage show you ever saw: Either Annie or The Wizard of Oz.
Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: The first time I ever got paid to sing in front of an audience.
Most challenging role you've played: Leo Frank in Parade.
Special skills: Love doing accents (especially Australian) and obscure impressions, including Dobby the House Elf, Josh Groban, and Ja'mie Private School Girl.
Something you’re REALLY bad at: SPORTS
Current pop culture obsession:RuPaul's Drag Race
Last book you read:The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
Favorite movie(s):Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Almost Famous, Fargo
Favorite musician(s): Elton John, James Taylor, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys
Favorite song: "Your Song" by Elton John, "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor
Dream role: Miss Hannigan in a gender-bent production of Annie.
Favorite play(s):August: Osage County, The Crucible, Buried Child
Favorite musical(s):Parade, Company, Jesus Christ Superstar
Favorite actors/actresses: Meryl Streep. Just her. That’s all.
Favorite food: Anything Italian
Must-see TV show(s):RuPaul's Drag Race, Westworld, Friends
Something most people don’t know about you: I’m obsessed with horror films.
Place in the world you'd most like to visit: Spain, Greece, and Italy
Pre-show warm-up: Lots of water, Throat Coat, vitamin C, vocal exercises, pray to a framed photo of Meryl Streep, etc.
Favorite part about your current role: Getting to listen to my co-star, Monique Abry, sing for her LIFE.
Most challenging part about your current project: Definitely the music and navigating the many emotions.
Most embarrassing onstage mishap: Having my show pants, underwear, and safety underwear all pulled down on stage to accidentally expose my naked rear to an entire Dallas audience during a performance of Les Miserables at DTC.
Career you'd have if you weren't in theater: Film editor or music supervisor.
Favorite post-show spot: Anywhere with alcohol and cheese fries.
Favorite thing about Dallas-Fort Worth: The endless multitude of taco establishments.
Most memorable theater moment: Taking my first opening night bow in my first professional theatre production.