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. 

See Jake Williamson perform Monday in the DCPA Holiday Cabaret

Jake Williamson, far right, appeared in the Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre’s 2009 production of ‘Forever Plaid.’ Photo by Fites Photography.

A Christmas Carol: Ticket information
Nov 27-Dec 27 (Opens Dec. 4) | Stage Theatre
Call 303-893-4100 or
BUY ONLINE
TTY: 303-893-9582

Previous 2015 ‘Meet the Cast’ profiles:
Meet Courtney Capek (Belle)
Meet Shannan Steele (Fred’s wife)

​Selected previous NewsCenter coverage of A Christmas Carol:
Philip Pleasants: A Scrooge for the ages, one last time
First rehearsal: Scrooge, in typical fashion: Let’s get to work!
From Denver Center’s Tiny Tim to TV’s Fuller House
​Beginnings and endings for stars of A Christmas Carol, The SantaLand Diaries
Video: Leslie O’Carroll performs A Christmas O’Carroll … in 5 minutes
Actor Scott McLean is now also a published children’s author
Video: The Christmas Carol Coast to Coast Challenge. No. 1: Denver
By the numbers: A Christmas Carol over 22 years at the DCPA
First day of 2014 rehearsal: Interviews, cast list and photos

Previous years’ ‘Meet the Cast’ videos:
James Michael Reilly
Leslie Alexander
Philip Pleasants
Sam Gregory
Mehry Iris Eslaminia
Allen Dorsey
Leslie O’Carroll
Stephanie Cozart
Charlie Korman
Kyra Lindsay
M. Scott McLean