Actor Spotlight

Regan Adair doesn't mind wearing a dress, but don't ask him to dance

Regan Adair currently stars in WaterTower Theatre's two-actor The Mystery ofIrma Vep.
Photo courtesy of WaterTower Theatre
Adair as one of his female characters in The Mystery of Irma Vep.
Photo by Mark Oristano Photography
Quick change! Adair switches characters with lightning speed.
Photo by Mark Oristano Photography

Regan Adair, starring in WaterTower Theatre's two-actor — but eight-character — madcap melodrama The Mystery of Irma Vep, is a familiar face to Dallas audiences. An onstage regular at Dallas Theater Center (The Misanthrope, Reasons to be Pretty, Hamlet, A Christmas Carol), Stage West, Circle Theatre, Uptown Players and Theatre Three, as well as an acclaimed director (Red Light Winter for Second Thought Theatre and Talk Radio for Upstart Productions), he took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun and sometimes ridiculous questions.

Full name: Regan Adair

Role(s) in The Mystery of Irma Vep: Jane / Lord Edgar / Irma Vep

Previous work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: The last thing I did in Dallas was direct Red Light Winter for Second Thought Theatre.

Hometown: Raised in Austin

First theater role: The Wizard in the The Wizard of Oz, at age 10

First stage show you ever saw:Charley's Aunt

Moment you decided to pursue acting/directing: The pursuit of acting has always been a passion of mine.

Most challenging role you’ve played: I think every role an actor takes on is as challenging as the last role he played. They're all challenging in different ways.

Most challenging show you’ve directed: Well, I won't name the show out of respect for everyone involved, but I can tell you that I made several missteps.

Special skills: Pattern-making and sewing. Oh, and I'm a pretty good cook as well.

Something you’re REALLY bad at: Dancing ... and sometimes acting.

Current pop culture obsession: I have no real obsession with pop culture.

Last book you read:Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales by Alexandra Wentworth

Favorite movie(s):Chinatown

Favorite musician(s): I'd say Beach House as of late.

Dream role: I don't really have a "dream role," but I'd love to do some Tennessee Williams. I haven't done that yet.

Favorite play(s): Most anything by Tennessee Williams and Tracy Letts

Favorite musical(s):Sweeney Todd

Favorite actors/actresses: Glenn Close, Joan Allen, Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis

Favorite food: Quiche Lorraine (Yes, I know.)

Must-see TV show(s):Mad Men and The Walking Dead

Something most people don’t know about you: I bit my nails.

Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Egypt

Pre-show warm-up: Ginger root tea and screaming at the dressers. (Kidding!)

Favorite part about your current role(s): It's all crazy fun! But I do get to wear a dress — so there's that.

Most challenging part about your current role(s): Quick changes! Quick changes! Quick changes!

Worst onstage mishap: The ONE and ONLY time I missed an entrance during a scene. Horrible feeling.

Career you’d have if you weren’t a performer/director: No one has died from my cooking thus far. So maybe a chef.

Favorite post-show spot: Home

Favorite thing about Dallas: Space! So much space! And of course family and friends.

Most memorable theater moment: "Places!"

The Mystery of Irma Vepruns September 28-October 21 at WaterTower Theatre.

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Budget Cuts

Funding cuts force Dallas Children's Theater to trim 2025-26 season

Dallas Children's Theater presents James and the Giant Peach

Photo courtesy of Dallas Children's Theater

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The upcoming 2025-26 season for Dallas Children's Theater is shrinking, according to a new communication from its leadership.

A June 2 email signed by executive director Samantha Turner, board president Leah Mora, and recently appointed artistic director Emily Ernst informs supporters that due to "the significant financial challenges of the current environment," DCT will be reducing the upcoming season from five mainstage shows to three.

The email doesn't specifically call out the government's cuts to arts funding, but it is heavily implied, especially since other theaters have recently experienced financial difficulties due to the federal cuts.

"We remain deeply committed to artistic excellence and to the 90,000 young people and families we serve annually," reads the email. "Though we will have fewer performances, we will continue to provide meaningful theatrical experiences that inspire children, nurture their imagination, and encourage connection with the world around them."

The 2025-26 will retain the previously announced world premiere of The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (November 22-December 21, 2025), as well as The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (January 24-February 22, 2026) and Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey (March 27-29, 2026), and add a new developmental workshop envisioned by Ernst.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Jungalbook will no longer be produced, and ticket-holders will be receiving instructions on ticket options.

DCT Academy classes, a vital part of the theater’s work, will continue through the summer, concluding August 8. After that, Academy sessions will be temporarily paused. Families enrolled for the fall semester will receive a separate email with next steps.

"Although our performances are well attended and our community support is strong, ticket sales cover only a small portion of the true cost of producing theater," the email explains. "At the same time, our operating costs have steadily increased while funding levels have remained flat. This financial pressure requires immediate action to keep DCT viable — not just for this season, but for the years ahead."

Tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.

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