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. While there, he met Kristianne Kurner who he married. They had a son together, filmmaker Jonah Gercke. Gercke later married Jessica John.
Career In 2001, Gercke and Kurner founded New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad, California.
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.
In 2020, Gercke wrote the play The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens.
Stage credits YearTitleRoleLocationNotes1998Three Tales by Hans Christian AndersenVariousEncino Community Center, Los Angeles, California"The Swineherd," "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Princess and the Pea."2001Four PlayNew Village Arts, Carlsbad, CaliforniaBrilliant TracesNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California2002A Hatful of RainJohnny PopeNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaOutstanding Performance, also directorThe Merchant of VeniceLorenzoSan Diego Repertory TheatreAs You Like ItNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaThe Only Game in TownJoeNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaOutstanding Performance2003ProofHalSan Diego Repertory TheatreUncle VanyaNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaDirector2006HamletPrince HamletNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaShakespeare in the Park at La Costa Canyon High School2007Desire Under the ElmsEben CabotCygnet Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaOff the GroundJoelNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California2008This is Our YouthNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, CaliforniaDirectorHysterical BlindnessCygnet Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaDirector, Backyard ProductionA NumberBernard / B2 / Michael BlackCygnet Theatre, San Diego, California2009Man from NebraskaCygnet Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaDirector2010HurlyburlyEddieIon Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaRing Round the MoonGigoloIon Theatre, San Diego, California2012Ripples from Walden PondThoreauCygnet Theatre, San Diego, California2014I Hate HamletAndrew RallyIntrepid Theatre, Encinitas, California2015The Behavior of BroadusWatsonCapital Stage, Sacramento, CaliforniaParlour SongDaleBLKBOX Theatre, Hillcrest, San DiegoBackyard Renaissance debut2016The Elephant ManJoseph MerrickSunshine Brooks Theatre, Oceanside, CaliforniaBackyard Renaissance, also co-directed with Christopher WilliamsGutenberg! The Musical!Diversionary Theatre, University Heights, San DiegoBackyard Renaissance, producer2018SmokefallDanielTheodore and Adele Shank Theatre, La Jolla PlayhouseNoises OffLloyd DallasLamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California2021Dry PowderBackyard Renaissance Theater, San DiegoStage director, filmed play during the COVID-19 pandemic2023ProofRobertBackyard Renaissance Theater, San DiegoPortraying a different character from the same David Auburn play he was in in 2003God of CarnageAlanTenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San Diego2024How I Learned To DriveUncle PeckBackyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego2025The Dark Heart of Dooley StevensTenth Avenue Arts Center, Downtown San DiegoBackyard Renaissance, also playwright and artistic directorA Streetcar Named DesireStanley KowalskiBackyard Renaissance Theater, San Diego
Accolades EventYearAwardTitleResultRef.San Diego Theatre Critics Circle2010Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, MaleHurlyburly2024Misery
References
External links
Francis Gercke at AboutTheArtists Francis Gercke at BroadwayWorld Francis Gercke at Cygnet Theatre Company
My Acting Bucket List: Francis Gercke at San Diego Reader