Napoleon M Douglas sang “Merry Christmas Baby” at a benefit fundraiser last month for DCPA Education and the Denver Actors Fund at the downtown Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by John Moore.

MEET NAPOLEON M DOUGLAS
Ensemble in A Christmas Carol

At the DCPA Theatre Company: Debut. Regional: Oklahoma (Jud Fry/Dream Jud); Memphis, Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford); White Christmas (Mike), Miss Saigon (u/s John); Hairspray! (Seaweed Stubbs). BA Theatre Arts from Drake University;  from Southern New Hampshire University

• Hometown: Washington, D.C.
• Training: BA in Theatre from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Currently working on an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University.
• What was the role that changed your life? Playing Coalhouse in Ragtime my senior year of high school. I had spent most of my high-school years as a track and football athlete. When I shattered all of the cartilage in my right knee, I needed a new activity. I auditioned for the fall musical hoping to get into the ensemble, only to be cast in one of the leading roles. So I promptly quit. When my drama teacher approached me and asked why, I told her, “I don’t think you want me to have such a big role. I’m terrified, and I have never done drama before.” She said: “I choose you to be the leader of this venture not because you are the world’s greatest actor – although you are very good. I chose you because you have the kind of heart that is meant to touch other lives. If you don’t do this you will regret your decision.” Since that day, I haven’t left theatre.
• Why are you an actor? Because it’s my job to touch others’ lives.
• What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t an actor: I could imagine myself a humanitarian … dedicating myself to giving back to souls in need. Luckily I can still do that while I act, hah. 
• Ideal scene partner: I would love to do a scene with Heath Ledger. I am fascinated with darker characters, probably because my life tends to lean on the lighter side. I would love to be able to know his craft up close and personal and see how far his career would have gone if he were still alive.  
• Why does A Christmas Carol still matter? Because the Christmas spirit is still very relevant nowadays, transcending from centuries ago. Life is taxing on the human soul, so this time of year is important to help us replenish the joy and excitement that we should relish in our daily walk. Unfortunately, our busy lives come with much more stress and opportunity to become pessimistic. This play reminds us to enjoy each other’s company while we are still alive and the importance of spreading everlasting hope to all ages.  
• What do you hope the audience gets out of it? I hope the audience takes away the struggle that Scrooge experiences – both where it comes from and how he extinguishes it. It’s that progression that teaches us the lesson to never forget where we come from and to always value the individuals who surround you. And that life is a constant battle of obstacles we must overcome to achieve an ultimate purpose in life.
• Finish this sentence: “All I want is …” for the world to love and care for one another as we all persist in our journeys, up our hills, to where success lies in our hearts.

Photo credit above right: Adams Visual Communications.

A Christmas Carol: Ticket information

Previous 2015 ‘Meet the Cast’ profiles:
Meet Courtney Capek (Belle)
Meet Shannan Steele (Fred’s wife)
Meet Jake Williamson (Ensemble)
Meet Ben Heil (Peter Cratchit)
Meet Ella Galaty (Fan)
Meet Allen Dorsey (Dick Wilkins and Christmas Yet to Come)

Selected previous NewsCenter coverage of A Christmas Carol:
Photos, video: Your first look at A Christmas Carol 2015
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