Some are surprised when they find out that Garret Storms is not only a prolific actor in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but a director as well.
Having steered two of Stage West's most recently well-reviewed plays — Mr. Burns, a post-electric play and The Nether — Storms gets back in the spotlight with WaterTower Theatre's The Big Meal.
Before that play, which imagines nearly 80 years of a family's lives in one sitting, Storms took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun, and sometimes ridiculous questions.
Name: Garret Storms
Role in The Big Meal: Man 3
Previous work in the DFW area: Productions at Stage West, WaterTower Theatre, Second Thought Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare, Theatre Three, Amphibian Stage Productions, Shakespeare Dallas
Hometown: Fort Worth
Where you currently reside: Fort Worth
First theater role: Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof
First stage show you ever saw: The Wizard of Oz
Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: I don’t know if I recall a particular moment. I remember knowing that I wanted it as a kid, but I also think there may have been a moment in high school when I understood that it was a real option.
Most challenging role you’ve played: Most recently, Benjamin Südel in Martyr
Special skills: Jenga
Something you’re REALLY bad at: Sneezing quietly
Current pop culture obsession: I mean, Game of Thrones, right??
Last book you read: The Catcher in the Rye … again.
Favorite movie(s): The Wizard of Oz
Favorite musician(s): The Dresden Dolls
Favorite song: "Over the Rainbow"
Dream role: The Emcee in Cabaret
Favorite play(s): There are so many great ones, and I am far too indecisive to come up with a proper response.
Favorite musical(s): (See above.)
Favorite actors/actresses: Cate Blanchett
Favorite food: Yes
Must-see TV show(s): I recently finished the current season of House of Cards. It was just fine.
Something most people don’t know about you: I am an Eagle Scout.
Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Hogwarts
Pre-show warm-up: It sort of varies show to show — maybe stretches, a quick run, vocals, lines, and walking through the show.
Favorite part about your current role: I love that this show is such an ensemble piece, and I’m beyond humbled to be working alongside this group of artists.
Most challenging part about your current project: I think making all of the shifts and transitions between generations and characters seamless and clearly is a big challenge of the script, but it is proving to be a fun and fascinating process.
Most embarrassing onstage mishap: I once missed the stage manager’s "places" call for a Christmas panto and had to awkwardly find my way to the middle of the stage mid-dance break halfway through the opening number of Act 2.
Career you’d have if you weren’t in theater: Who is the person that names the newest colors and shades of paint? Because THAT.
Favorite post-show spot: There are a few, but The Bearded Lady certainly makes the list.
Favorite thing about Dallas-Forth Worth: There are a lot of awesome things about Dallas-Fort Worth. Not rush hour, though.
Most memorable theater moment: I have seen some incredible theater — I don’t know if I could choose just one. But I will say, the one moment that I feel like all theater people will never forget is the first time the saw Elphaba defy gravity [in Wicked]. On behalf of the theater collective, does that count?
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WaterTower Theatre's The Big Meal runs April 18-May 8.
Actor and director Garret Storms.
Allan Steele will debut new cello concerto. Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra 
Pink Martini returns to the Fort Worth stage. Photo courtesy of Pink Martini 
Joyce DiDonato will be the featured artist at the FWSO Gala. Photo courtesy of The Dallas Opera