It’s no act — thespians relish their roles

Tracy Mayor Anthony Dimmers (left) — shown here with Matt Coleman, who plays Eleck Nelson in the Wilder Pageant — enjoys playing a fictional mayor in the play. Photos / Per Peterson
Errol Steffen — Pa Ingalls — is a veteran at the Wilder Pageant.

By Per Peterson

If Anthony Dimmers wanted to study someone for his role in the upcoming Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant he need look no further than his mirror.

Dimmers, who is currently serving his first term as Tracy mayor, has two roles in Fragments of a Dream, and one of them is Elias Bedal, mayor of Walnut Grove.

“I don’t think (director) Erin (Richards) knew that I was a mayor when she cast me … it just happened that way,” Dimmers said. “So I accused her of typecasting.”

Dimmers has enjoyed making the role his own and having fun with it. He said acting is a nice break from everyday life, including leading a real city, even though he is feeling some stress as a newcomer to Plum Creek.

“There’s stress to doing this, but it’s totally different than everyday stress,” he said. “It’s like any hobby. Ultimately, it’s relaxing, it’s fun. It’s like being a kid — you come out and play pretend. It’s a great group of people. I’m kind of at a disadvantage my first year because I’m still trying to learn lines.”

That said, Dimmers is appreciative of all the support he’s received from the more-veteran thespians.

See this week’s Headlight Herald for more on this article.