After much anticipation, DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty announced today the members of the inaugural resident Acting Company of his tenure for the 2009-10 season. Although The Acting Company is slated for the 09-10 season, the full nine-member company will be seen in DTC's upcoming production of In the Beginning, a dramatic exploration of the book of Genesis, Jan. 21-Feb. 22.
The nine actors for the 09-10 company are: Hassan El-Amin, Chamblee Ferguson, Matthew Gray, Sean Hennigan, Liz Mikel, Cedric Neal, Lee Trull, Sally Nystuen Vahle and Christina Vela. All nine actors are Dallas residents and members of the Actors' Equity Association.
"I'm proud that this diverse group of incredibly talented Dallas artists will represent DTC as the 2009-2010 Acting Company," Moriarty said. "These artists' unique experiences and backgrounds comprise a colorful and interesting palette from which to create moving, meaningful theater pieces for Dallas audiences."
The associate artists have impressive acclaim, performing in theaters across the country, in film and television, and producing their own work.
El-Amin, who made his DTC debut at the Ghost of Jacob Marley in this season's production of A Christmas Carol, has performed at regional theaters across the country such as The Guthrie, Arena Stage and Portland Center Stage.
Audiences are very familiar with Ferguson, who has been seen on the DTC stage in numerous productions, including Pride and Prejudice, and in multiple roles in the annual production of A Christmas Carol; most notably as Bob Cratchit.
Also known on the DTC stage in productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Glengarry Glen Ross, Gray is the former co-artistic director of Classical Acting Company in Plano and is an adjunct faculty member at Richland College where he teaches improvisation and sketch writing.
Hennigan is a returning DTC company member after acting in the company from 1984-92 under former DTC artistic director Adrian Hall.
Mikel, last seen in DTC's The Who's Tommy, comes fresh from a stint on the hit television series Friday Night Lights.
Neal made his DTC debut earlier this season as the title character in The Who's Tommy. He has also performed at various local theaters, including WaterTower and Theatre Three.
Trull has been a known member of the company since earlier this year when it was announced he would serve as an associate artist at DTC, where he is currently employed full-time as a member of the artistic staff.
Vahle has been in numerous DTC productions, including Angels in America, The Misanthrope, and many others. She teaches acting and voice at the University of North Texas and is a founding artistic company member at Kitchen Dog Theater.
Vela is also a company member at Kitchen Dog and is the program director at Junior Players. Her work includes performances at local theaters, and she recently directed Kitchen Dog's production of The Pillowman.
In the 2009-10 season, each member of The Acting Company will perform in three Mainstage productions. Additionally, company members will also serve as teaching artists in DTC education programs, develop new plays, provide artistic council for Moriarty, and engage in outreach work throughout the community.
"These artists will play a vital role in reaching out to the community, as we continue to develop DTC's function as an organization deeply embedded in Dallas and committed to engaging audiences in a meaningful dialogue," Moriarty said. "As we seek to support as many Dallas artists as possible, and partner with artistic and civic organizations throughout our community, these actors will be vibrant ambassadors and strong voices for the power of theater to welcome everyone in our community to come together for an artistic experience that can ignite conversation and change lives."
