Timothy McCracken and Jada Suzanne Dixon in ‘The Firestorm.’ Photo by George Lange for Local Theatre Company.

(The DCPA NewsCenter regularly profiles actors performing in theatre productions throughout the state of Colorado.)

MEET TIMOTHY McCRACKEN

McCracken, whose day job is Head of Acting for DCPA Education, plays Patrick Henderson in Local Theatre Company‘s ‘The Firestorm’ at the Dairy Arts Center.

• Hometown: St. Helena, Calif.
• Home now: Beautiful Denver
• High School: Justin-Siena in Napa, Calif.
  
• College: I have a BA in Theatre from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., and an MFA in Acting from the DCPA’s National Theatre Conservatory
• What have you done for us lately? I played Anthony in Outside Mullingar for Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and Old Joe in A Christmas Carol for the DCPA Theatre Company
• What’s coming up next? I will be playing Estragon in Waiting for Godot for the Arvada Center, with Sam Gregory as Didi and directed by Geoffrey Kent (An Act of God) 
• What is The Firestorm all about? The Firestorm is a relationship and race play. Gaby and Patrick are a hot political power couple on the verge of moving into the governor’s mansion. But when the campaign is hit with an impending political scandal, the race — and the marriage — begin to fracture. Tensions rise. The personal becomes explosively political. And a husband and wife must heartbreakingly confront just how strong their alliance really is.
  
• Tell us about your character: Patrick is running for Governor of Ohio, and I am highly motivated in my pursuit. I love how many facets of humanity there are to these people, Patrick included. I have integrity, and am well-intentioned in my career, marriage and life — and yet there are things that I have done, and behaviors that I exhibit, that show many other colors. One of my many challenges is connecting with the very specific rhythms and seemingly “naturalistic” yet precise language that playwright Meredith Friedman has created. There is meaning in every beat and punctuation. I  find that fascinating, and I want to honor it.
• What do you love most about this play? I love that Local Theatre Company has chosen this play at this particular time, when our country is facing a great deal of divisiveness in regard to race, power, politics and human behavior. It is very timely,  and it will spark strong opinions and conversation. It will make a theatregoer think. 
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know Frank and Ralph. These are two bell peppers (one red, one yellow) who live in “Pepper Brooklyn” and speak in strong Brooklynese dialects. Frank and Ralph have been the central characters in my son Conlan’s imaginary world, and mine, for more than five years. They are with us every day, and I love them!
• What’s one thing you want to get off your chest? Here’s a simple and enjoyable suggestion for many parts of your day, from the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: “Breathe in through your nose, and when you exhale, SMILE. It does wonders for you!

Local Theatre Company’s The Firestorm: Ticket information
• By Meredith Friedman
• Directed by Pesha Rudnick

• Oct. 16-Nov. 13 (previews Oct. 14-15)
• Carsen Theatre at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., in Boulder
• Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays
• Tickets $15-$32
• Info: 303-444-7328, or thedairy.org

Cast List:

• Jada Suzanne Dixon as Gaby
• Iona Leighton as Leslie
• Timothy McCracken as Patrick
• Maduka Steady as Jamal


More ‘In the Spotlife’ profiles:
Meet Seth Maisel of Town Hall Arts Center’s The Firestorm
Meet Jeff Jesmer of Spotlight Theatre’sThe Crucible
Meet Jessica Robblee of Buntport Theatre for All Ages’ Siren Song: A Pirate Odyssey
Meet Wayne Kennedy of BDT Stage’s Mid-Life 2
Meet Joelle Montoya of Su Teatro’s El Sol Que Tu Eres
Meet Sam Gregory of the Arvada Center’s Tartuffe
Meet Lauren Bahlman of Wide-Eyed West’s theMumblings
Meet Carley Cornelius of Colorado Springs TheatreWorks’ Constellations
Meet Emily Paton Davies of Miners Alley Playhouse’s God of Carnage
Meet Megan Van De Hey of the Arvada Center’s Sister Act
Meet Anne Oberbroeckling of Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s Ripcord

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter