Meet the cast: Jake Williamson of 'A Christmas Carol'

Jake Williamson

MEET JAKE WILLIAMSON
Ensemble in A Christmas Carol

At the DCPA Theatre Company: Debut. New York credits include Deployed (Gene Frankel Theatre), Dysfunctional Love (Producers Club), A Knock at the Door (Abingdon Theatre). Other credits include Ring of Fire (Palace Theatre), Escanaba in Love (Aurora Fox), Lend Me a Tenor (Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre).

Hometown: Denver
High school: Dakota Ridge (Littleton)
College: Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, Metropolitan State University
What was the role that changed your life? Rick Bernstein, who founded Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden, was doing an outreach program in high schools to discuss and explore the issues facing teens in the aftermath of the Columbine massacre using improv and acting. It was called “Theatre Rap.” I was fortunate enough to get involved in that program, and he saw something in me that he cultivated over the years by casting me in shows and getting me involved in classes at a very formative age. That set me on the path to make acting my career and passion. I often credit him with saving my life.
Why are you an actor? Storytelling is in my bones. And I like humans. It’s a profound way to express empathy for humans. … And I crave attention.
What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t an actor? I want to think I’d be an astrophysicist, but I probably would have become a cartoonist.
Ideal scene partner: Jack Lemmon. I want to learn how he was able to be so funny and vulnerable and honest and inventive in all his roles. He seemed like a blast to work with, and I think he would have been profoundly enlightening.
Why does A Christmas Carol still matter? Its message seems to become more and more potent as the years go by. It’s not hard to draw relevance from this tale as the cultural and economic gap widens in our society.
What do you hope the audience gets out of it? I hope they walk out inspired to embody the spirit and joy Mr. Fezziwig has during the holidays: Kind, open, giving, joyous and prone to dance.
Finish this sentence: “All I want is …” friends, family, art, wine, and a well-crafted meme to laugh at.