Tucker Souther
I can remember the place and time where I first met Tucker Souther. It was on the street in Garland, Texas in 2019 after a performance of the best Godspell I have ever seen. A young man came out of the theater after the actors had departed and he was beaming ear to ear. I knew instinctively that he was the director and stopped him to offer my congratulations. There was something so innately good and kind about Tucker that I knew even then that he was someone I always wanted to keep in touch with and through the magic of Facebook I did just that. I can laud Tucker all day for his directing skills, but I must admit that I have never seen Tucker act. I have only watched snippets of his performances online and read about his college productions. I am thrilled that I will finally get to see Tucker on stage soon in the MainStage Irving-Las Colinas production of The 39 Steps. Take a few moments to learn more about the gifted and all around great guy, Tucker Southern.
When was your first time on stage?
My first time on stage was in elementary school, performing in these cute choir lead mini performances with stories about friendship or fun Christmas tales. My family said they knew something was different about me from those showcases because while the other kids would be standing stock still singing, I would be dancing and making goofy faces at people in the audience. It came as a big shock to them when that turned out to be a theatre kid in the making (with a dash of ADHD for character)
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
This is kind of a twofold question. The first time I realized that performing is what I want to do with my life was when the movie adaptation of Sweeney Todd came out and being a little boy of about 7 my thought process was, “ooooh dark bloody barber that looks so cool” and had to sneak into the theater to see it, but when I did what blew me away was when they started singing, and I KNEW that was where my life was headed! I have since come to not like that adaptation all that much, especially compared to George Hearn and Angela Lansbury production, but I have got to give credit where credit is due.
Who is your greatest mentor?
My greatest mentor by far has been Gail Cronauer from my early college days back when Collin College was the Quad C. She always managed to cut through the bs we young adults could give in a way that was both humbling and inspiring… and terrifying, but in a good way! I could always appreciate her lessons because not only did they apply to the stage but they were also great advice for life. I find myself using the techniques she taught me almost every time I take the stage.
Which role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?
The role I enjoyed the most so far has to be Edna from Hairspray, that was the role that introduced me to drag performing and was the first sign I was genderfluid. Edna brought out some maternal instincts in me, I did not even know I had, but we had kids in the cast - I was interning at Rowlett Summer Musicals - and I felt this sense that I needed to look out for them. I remember distinctly the girl who played Little Inez coming up to me off stage during a performance, just after Run and Tell That, crying. My first instinct was, “WHAT’S HIS NAME I’LL KILL HIM” but it turned out she was upset because she missed a note or two in her solo and thought she screwed the whole thing up and so I stayed with her reassuring her, joking with her, giving hugs, and boosting her confidence until I had to go back on stage, and I doubt I will ever forget that.
Do you have a dream role?
Too many to count. Of course, Sweeney Todd is pitted for 1st place but so is Jean Valjean, Archibald Craven from The Secret Garden, George in Sunday in the Park with George, Tom Collins in RENT, and I would love to put my take on Austin/Lee double casting (Reilly/Hoffman style) for Sam Shepard’s True West.
Who would you like to appear on stage with?
I would love to do a production of August: Osage County as Little Charles opposite Gail Cronauer’s Violet. Would also love to perform, in any capacity, alongside Donald Glover. Whether it be in concert or sticking us in a production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, though I must admit, it would be much more fun to see him do a production alongside Danny Pudi. Alive or dead; however, Robin Williams. Hands down my biggest inspiration and, some days, the reason I get out of bed in the morning.
What performances have you seen that impressed you?
One that will forever stick in my mind is the production of Miller, Mississippi that DTC did alongside their production of Hair (which was stellar in its own right), because I have never literally experienced my jaw drop the way it did at some of the moments within it. For instance the monologue the mother has to her daughter, shaking. The opening to Act 2, both gripping and hilarious. But the end of the play is the one and only time I have been terrified by theatre, and in such a poetically beautiful way, I was so immersed that by the time they pulled the rug out from under me, I was trapped, my heart was pounding in my throat and all I could do was watch. I would give anything to see that show again. I also have to mention Ghost Quartet done through the Bath House theater. One of the most inventive shows I have ever seen, highly engaging and interactive, the space was so intimate, it sucks you right in to what is essentially a staged concept album these 4 musicians carry you through using all the instruments they had at their disposal (pots and pans included), and an entire 10 minute section that was in total darkness that still kept me at the edge of my seat.
What are your career goals?
To write a show that is worthy of the Broadway stage and make music that takes me all the way to Madison Square Gardens, performing, laughing, cutting up with my best friends all along the way. Ultimately, I would like to make enough of a living to pursue projects that make the world a better place, like organizing a team to tackle water pollution and a few other projects I have been mulling over. Super-ultimately, I just want to be able to support myself artistically enough to start a family. Plus my grandmother made me promise if I ever made it I would buy her a Thunderbird.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I got to be in a movie starring Sean Astin and Skai Jackson. I was a background actor, but it was still fun.
