Actor Jeff Kringer plays feature roles in three Clear Space productions

Actor Jeff Kringer’s first summer stock experience is proving to be exactly the sort of challenge he was hoping for when he auditioned at New York’s StrawHat Theater Conference in March: He has feature roles in all three shows comprising Clear Space’s summer series. He appears as Tick, a drag queen, in “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert;” the comically evil villain, Lord Farquaad, in “Shrek;” and silver-tongued attorney Billy Flynn, in “Chicago.”

Asked how it’s been to play three very different roles – every week, in rapid succession, as each show cycles through the summer schedule – Kringer says, “At first it was difficult, given the diverse nature of the productions – and, this is my first time working summer stock, so it was all new to me. But now, I’m able to flip a mental switch and – we’re off!” He is quick to acknowledge his fellow performers’ role in making his experience such a success. “I have to give enormous credit to the company in general, and to the talented, hard-working performers with whom I perform,” he says.

Kringer’s enthusiasm for the opportunity to work Clear Space’s summer season is evident. He says, “I love the season and the parts I was offered! I really enjoy portraying Tick – he’s a truly relatable, three-dimensional character. ‘Chicago’ is such a classic piece of theater - it’s great being part of something so timeless. And ‘Shrek’ – that show is just so funny! I simply could not have asked for a better experience: I’m doing what I love, in a beautiful area, alongside talented, generous performers – what a gift!”

David Button, Clear Space’s artistic director and director of all three shows, is no less enthusiastic about Kringer’s Clear Space presence. He says, “Jeff is terrific to work with! He’s enormously talented – but frankly, so are many others. When I went to StrawHat I was looking not only for talent and a skill set, but also for something less tangible. I wanted performers who would be positive and forward-looking, and who would work really well with others. It makes all the difference, to have performers who find joy and take pride in what they do. Jeff has the whole package - Clear Space is fortunate to have him among us this season!”

Though he may be new to summer stock, Kringer is not new to theater: A rising junior at SUNY in Fredonia, N.Y., where he’s pursuing a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater, Kringer recently placed second in the National Society of Arts and Letters Musical Theater competition Phoenix, Ariz. In his New York region, Kringer has performed with The Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival, Auburn Players, Skaneateles Summer Theatre and the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival.

Performances for all shows run Monday through Saturday evenings. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. To extend the evening at the theater, Clear Space offers adult-themed late-night performances Friday through Sunday. The Delaware Comedy Theatre’s LATE-R NIGHT SHOW begins at 10 p.m., Fridays and Christopher Peterson’s “Eycons: The Broads of Broadway” begins at 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.