Francis Gercke

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).

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

Year Title Role Location Notes
1998 Three Tales by Hans Christian Andersen Various Encino Community Center, Los Angeles, California "The Swineherd," "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Princess and the Pea."[8]
2001 Four Play New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [9]
Brilliant Traces New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [10]
2002 A Hatful of Rain Johnny Pope New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California Outstanding 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 Joe New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California Outstanding Performance[11][19][2]
2003 Proof Hal San Diego Repertory Theatre [20]
Uncle Vanya N/a New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California Director[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 Ground Joel New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California [24]
2008 This is Our Youth N/a New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California Director[25]
Hysterical Blindness N/a Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, California Director, Backyard Production[26]
A Number Bernard / B2 / Michael Black Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, California [27]
2009 Man from Nebraska N/a Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, California Director[28][29]
2010 Hurlyburly Eddie Ion Theatre, San Diego, California [30]
Ring Round the Moon Gigolo Ion Theatre, San Diego, California [30]
2012 Ripples from Walden Pond Thoreau Cygnet Theatre, San Diego, California [31]
2014 I Hate Hamlet Andrew Rally Intrepid Theatre, Encinitas, California [32]
2015 The Behavior of Broadus Watson Capital Stage, Sacramento, California [33]
Parlour Song Dale BLKBOX 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! N/a Diversionary Theatre, University Heights, San Diego Backyard Renaissance, producer
2018 Smokefall Daniel Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse [36]
Noises Off Lloyd Dallas Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [37][38]
2021 Dry Powder N/a Backyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego Stage director, filmed play during the COVID-19 pandemic[4]
2023 Proof Robert Backyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego Portraying a different character from the same David Auburn play he was in in 2003[39]
God of Carnage Alan Tenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San Diego [40][41]
2024 How I Learned To Drive Uncle Peck Backyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego [42]
2025 The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens N/a Tenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San Diego Backyard Renaissance, also playwright and artistic director[43]
A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley Kowalski Backyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego [44]

Accolades

Event Year Award Title Result Ref.
San Diego Theatre Critics Circle 2010 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male Hurlyburly Nominated [45]
2024 Misery Nominated [46]

References

  1. ^ a b c Charlene, Baldridge (2016-08-12). "'New kid on the block' Introducing the fledgling Backyard Renaissance Theatre" (PDF). SDNews.com. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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 Californian. 2001-11-29. p. 62. Retrieved 2025-10-15 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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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