Patrick Kerr of Gurnee is managing director of Clockwise Theatre, the professional theater company in downtown Waukegan. Also an actor, he is appearing in Clockwise Theatre's The Party in the Kitchen, a play about a Lake County family, which opened April 19 and runs through May 12.
Before joining Clockwise, Kerr was director of the theater program at Grayslake High School District 127 for 17 years. He's enjoying retirement by acting in local shows and following his interests, like gardening.
What is 'Party In The Kitchen' about?
It was written by Madelyn Sergal [artistic director at Clockwise]. It covers the span of about seven years, starting just before 9/11 and [continues] through post 9/11.
My character and his wife have been married for 30 years, and they have a sparring relationship, constantly bickering. Their neighbors, who are used to the bickering, have a party in the kitchen.
It's really about facing change, and how people don't change as much as the circumstances do.
It takes place in Lake County near the North Shore. The kitchen [on the set] is gorgeous. I want that kitchen.
Describe what Clockwise Theatre is.
We're a growing company. It has a family feel to it. We have people from all over – Chicago, Western Springs, Rolling Meadows, Waukegan.
Do you miss teaching?
There are times I miss it, but it was a lot to keep organized. I still sub at Grayslake High School occasionally.
I retired from teaching because after 35 years, it was time to leave. It was getting hard to work 60 to 80 hours per week. I was retired for a year and a half before I became the managing director at Clockwise. I'd been taking acting classes downtown, performing again, and I was working with friends of mine to help create the space [for Clockwise], hung around and became managing director. For more information visit www.clockwisetheatre.org.
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