Pleased look

learned from people who believed that there was value in acting for the art itself,” Allen said. “Nobody was making money or getting rich and famous. They were just doing it because they loved to do it, and that was what inspired me. From the moment I walked into that theater at the age of 14, I knew that was what I was going to do.”

Allen first moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 1980 and has spent time in Los Angeles and New York doing television and film work as well.

With roles in such films as “Robocop” and “The Perfect Host,” Allen said that one of the things that first drew him to North Texas was the thriving theater scene in the Metroplex.

“When I first moved here in the 1980s, there was so much going on in Dallas and Fort Worth,” Allen said. “Stage West was sort of right in the middle of that. I did four or five plays at Stage West back in the 80s. It was always one of my favorites. I’ve always have a good time there.”

The Kansas native has extensive work in film, television and theatre, and said he does not really have a preference when it comes to acting.

“It really depends on the project,” Allen said. “I think plays are a little more difficult to execute at this stage of my life, because if I flub a line, I can’t just say ‘cut’ and do it over. But they all have great things about them. Now out of television and film, I personally prefer television, but artistically, the theatre is where I am at right now. That is my home.”

Allen said his favorite television roles were as Warren Jacobi on “Women’s Murder Club” and Gordan Dean on “Alias,” a villainous character whom Allen said he had no problems playing whatsoever.

“It’s great,” Allen said. “That’s the most fun. Playing a villain is the most fun.”

For the last 30 years, Allen has gone back to Salina every few years to direct a play as a way of giving back to his hometown, but still makes his home in the DFW area.

Allen describes himself as “semi-retired.” and said he is not sure if he will act in any television or films in the future, but said he likes to direct, teach and mentor these days.

“It would take something really special for me to come back,” Allen said jokingly. “It’s a lot of damn work!”

EVAN MICHAEL WOODS Tyrees Allen and Hannah Valdovinos in ‘Between Riverside and Crazy’ at Stage West.

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