Francis Gercke

Last updated
Francis Gercke
Other namesFran Gercke
Occupations
  • Stage actor
  • stage director
  • artistic director
  • playwright
Years active1998–present
Known forCo-founder of New Village Arts Theatre and Backyard Renaissance
Notable credits
Spouses
  • Kristianne Kurner
Jessica John
​
(m. 2015)​
Children1

Francis "Fran" Gercke is an American actor, director and playwright who appeared in productions of The Only Game in Town (2002), A Hatful of Rain (2002), Proof (2003 & 2023), Noises Off (2018), and wrote the play The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens (2025).

Contents

Personal life

Gercke graduated from Actors Studio Drama School at the New School for Social Research. [1] While there, he met Kristianne Kurner who he married. [2] [3] They had a son together, filmmaker Jonah Gercke. [4] Gercke later married Jessica John. [1]

Career

In 2001, Gercke and Kurner founded New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad, California. [1] [5]

In 2015, Gercke and Jessica John founded Backyard Renaissance, a production company in which John is the executive director and Gercke is the artistic director. [6]

In 2020, Gercke wrote the play The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens. [7]

Stage credits

YearTitleRoleLocationNotes
1998Three Tales by Hans Christian AndersenVariousEncino Community Center, Los Angeles, California"The Swineherd," "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Princess and the Pea." [8]
2001Four PlayNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [9]
Brilliant TracesNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [10]
2002A Hatful of RainJohnny PopeNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaOutstanding Performance, [11] also director [12] [13] [14] [15]
The Merchant of Venice Lorenzo San Diego Repertory Theatre [16]
As You Like It New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [17] [18]
The Only Game in Town JoeNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaOutstanding Performance [11] [19] [2]
2003 Proof HalSan Diego Repertory Theatre [20]
Uncle Vanya —New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaDirector [21]
2006 Hamlet Prince Hamlet New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California Shakespeare in the Park at La Costa Canyon High School [22]
2007 Desire Under the Elms Eben Cabot Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, California [23]
Off the GroundJoelNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [24]
2008 This is Our Youth —New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaDirector [25]
Hysterical Blindness—Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaDirector, Backyard Production [26]
A Number Bernard / B2 / Michael BlackCygnet Theatre, San Diego, California [27]
2009 Manfrom Nebraska —Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaDirector [28] [29]
2010 Hurlyburly EddieIon Theatre, San Diego, California [30]
Ring Round the Moon GigoloIon Theatre, San Diego, California [30]
2012Ripples from Walden PondThoreauCygnet Theatre, San Diego, California [31]
2014 I Hate Hamlet Andrew RallyIntrepid Theatre, Encinitas, California [32]
2015The Behavior of BroadusWatsonCapital Stage, Sacramento, California [33]
Parlour SongDaleBLKBOX Theatre, Hillcrest, San Diego Backyard Renaissance debut [34]
2016 The Elephant Man Joseph Merrick Sunshine Brooks Theatre, Oceanside, California Backyard Renaissance, also co-directed with Christopher Williams [35]
Gutenberg! The Musical! —Diversionary Theatre, University Heights, San Diego Backyard Renaissance, producer
2018SmokefallDanielTheodore and Adele Shank Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse [36]
Noises Off Lloyd DallasLamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [37] [38]
2021Dry Powder—Backyard Renaissance Theater, San DiegoStage director, filmed play during the COVID-19 pandemic [4]
2023ProofRobertBackyard Renaissance Theater, San DiegoPortraying a different character from the same David Auburn play he was in in 2003 [39]
God of Carnage AlanTenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San Diego [40] [41]
2024 How I Learned To Drive Uncle PeckBackyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego [42]
2025The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens—Tenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San DiegoBackyard Renaissance, also playwright and artistic director [43]
A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley KowalskiBackyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego [44]

Accolades

EventYearAwardTitleResultRef.
San Diego Theatre Critics Circle2010 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male Hurlyburly Nominated [45]
2024 Misery Nominated [46]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Charlene, Baldridge (2016-08-12). "'New kid on the block' Introducing the fledgling Backyard Renaissance Theatre" (PDF). SDNews.com. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  2. 1 2 Kragen, Pam (2002-11-14). "'The Only Game in Town'". North County Times . p. 71. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2001-06-14). "New theater group debuts". North County Times . p. 56. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Kragen, Pam (2021-04-06). "Backyard Renaissance's filmed play 'Dry Powder' a family affair". San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  5. ↑ Mayer, Tim (2001-09-07). "Organizers hope to found Carlsbad's own professional acting company". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  6. ↑ Coddon, David L. (2020-06-14). "Backyard Renaissance aims for the moon". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  7. ↑ Coddon, David L. (2025-02-27). "Backyard Renaissance Theatre readies new play 'The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens'". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  8. ↑ Heffley, Lynne (1998-05-07). "OUT AND ABOUT; A Hans-On Production; Imagination-in-Residency offers a no-frills staging of three Andersen plays that crackle with fun.: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times . p. 43. Retrieved 2025-11-09– via Proquest.
  9. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2001-09-20). "New theater company debuts with night of one-act plays". The Californian . p. 48. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "'Brilliant Traces' New Village Arts debuts with unique performance". The Califronian . 2001-11-29. p. 62. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 "Backstage". North County Times . 2003-01-16. p. 74. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Manna, Marcia (2002-05-30). "EXERCISING THEIR ACTING MUSCLES | New Village Arts troupe uses Jazzercise center to explore their craft: [1,2,6,7 Edition]". San Diego Union Tribune . ProQuest   271945747.
  13. ↑ "'A Hatful of Rain': Acclaimed Carlsbad theater group returns with Actors Studio drama". North County Times . 2002-05-23. p. 61. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2002-05-30). "'Hatful of Rain' flooded with emotion, fine acting". North County Times . p. 76. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Manna, Marcia (2002-05-30). "New Village Arts troupe uses Jazzercise center to explore their craft". San Diego Union Tribune . pp. NC-1. Retrieved 2025-11-09– via Proquest.
  16. ↑ Perry, Tony (2002-03-26). "This 'Merchant' Doesn't Press to Make Its Sales". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  17. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2002-08-15). "New Village offers 'As You Like It' in park". The Californian. p. 14. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2002-08-15). "New Village offers free 'As You Like It' in California park". North County Times . p. 57. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2002-11-14). "'The Only Game in Town'". North County Times . p. 70. Retrieved 2025-11-09– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Buckley, Patricia Morris (2003-09-25). "Carlsbad actor relishes high-profile role in 'Proof'". The Californian . p. 60. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Backstage". North County Times . 2003-02-06. p. 83. Retrieved 2025-10-15– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Outdoor 'Hamlet' is Shakespeare for the 21st century". San Diego Union-Tribune . 2006-08-16. Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  23. ↑ Davis, Carol (2007-05-06). "Chovick shines in Cygnet's Desire Under the Elms". San Diego Jewish World . Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  24. ↑ Smith, Jeff (2007-12-13). "Truth Attack". San Diego Reader . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  25. ↑ "New Village Arts presents San Diego premiere of popular play". Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  26. ↑ Davis, Carol (2008-05-02). "Backyard's dumbed-down female show". San Diego Jewish World . Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  27. ↑ Davis, Carol (2008-06-06). "Programme Request? Take A Number". San Diego Jewish World . Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  28. ↑ Hebert, James (2009-09-24). "Greatness revisited". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  29. ↑ Cavanaugh, Maureen; Carone, Angela (2009-10-15). "Tracy Letts' "Man From Nebraska" At Cygnet Theatre". KPBS Public Media . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  30. 1 2 Smith, Jeff (2010-12-30). "Where Words Fail" (PDF). San Diego Reader . Retrieved 2025-11-16– via Old Globe Theatre.
  31. ↑ Smith, Jeff (2012-04-17). "Ripples from Walden Pond". San Diego Reader . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  32. ↑ Smith, Jeff (2014-07-01). "Barrymore yanks down the bars". San Diego Reader . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  33. ↑ Crowder, Marcus (2015-12-17). "Theater review: An excellent 'The Behavior of Broadus' at Capital Stage". Sacramento Bee . Archived from the original on 2015-12-18. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  34. ↑ "'Parlour Song' an Ominous, Auspicious Start for New Theater". Times of San Diego . 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  35. ↑ "Two Theaters Offer One Anomaly: 'The Elephant Man'". Times of San Diego . 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  36. ↑ "With ambitious 'Smokefall,' Backyard Renaissance launches its tenure as La Jolla Playhouse resident theater company". San Diego Union-Tribune . 2018-08-26. Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  37. ↑ Shapiro, Milo (2018-04-25). "San Diego Theater Review: NOISES OFF (Lamb's Players Theatre in Coronado)". Stage and Cinema. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  38. ↑ Carpenter, Kathy (2018-04-19). "Noises Off Review - Enjoying Mayhem". Splash Magazines Worldwide. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  39. ↑ Coddon, David L. (2023-11-17). "Backyard Renaissance co-founders come full circle 20 years later with David Auburn's 'Proof'". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-11-12. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  40. ↑ Coddon, David L. (2023-03-03). "Backyard Renaissance's 'God of Carnage' to feature two pairs of married actors". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  41. ↑ Reiter, E.H. (2023-03-18). "Review: GOD OF CARNAGE at Backyard Renaissance". BroadwayWorld . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  42. ↑ Masori, Sandi (2024-03-03). "'How I Learned To Drive' at Backyard Renaissance Theater". San Diego Jewish World . Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  43. ↑ Shapiro, Milo (2025-03-04). "Theater Review: THE DARK HEART OF DOOLEY STEVENS (Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company in San Diego)". Stage and Cinema. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  44. ↑ Shapiro, Milo (2025-07-04). "Theater Review: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company)". Stage and Cinema. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  45. ↑ Carone, Angela (2010-12-13). "Nominees For Best In San Diego Theater Announced". KPBS Public Media . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  46. ↑ Kragen, Pam (2025-01-01). "San Diego Theatre Critics Circle unveils nominees for 2024 Craig Noel Awards". San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved 2025-11-16.
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