The Effect
By Lucy Prebble
Directed by Sophia Watt
Houston Equity Festival
“When it comes to Connie (Callina Anderson giving us her best performance to date) and Tristan (Dain Geist, showing how showstopping is done) what is created is first and foremost heat. In fact, the words THAT’S HOT in all caps are scribbled and underlined in my notes so repeatedly it’s like Paris Hilton circa 2007-ish was reviewing this show.”
The Government Inspector
By Nikolai Gogol
Directed by Philip Hays
Classical Theatre Company
“Props should go to Tom Long who plays the governor, as well as to Dain Geist who is the one who takes advantage of his error. Together they have to keep the proverbial balls in the air throughout and maintain the manic pacing. Geist uses everything in his physical arsenal including walking on couches and lunging at certain players when the time is right. He seems to be having a ball conning the unsuspecting government officials.”
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Amelia Fischer
Houston Shakespeare Festival
“Dain Geist is appropriately discontented and growly as the weaselly villain Don John and Christopher Nicanor is an unapologetically impish Borachio.”
The Outsider
By Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Frances Limoncelli
Mighty Acorn and WCO Productions
“As the Chief of Staff, Dain Geist is unhinged with nerves and ranting, but he keeps his performance grounded in reality. Dain pulls back a little on his natural skill with physical comedy to hone in on the ability to deliver a line with sincerity and still make it funny.”
Porcelain
By Chay Yew
Directed by Bonnie Hewett
Caduceus Theater Company
“Geist is also Dr. Worthing, and he manages to make Worthing, a man who’s apparently one of the least liked in his profession, quite likable in his own, incredibly flawed way, making Worthing’s scenes with John the most intriguing.”
Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by JJ Johnson
Classical Theatre Company
“Dain Geist's Laertes, likewise, though callow at first, comes into his own in his grief at losing sister Ophelia and father Polonius, becoming a driving force in his determination to punish Hamlet.”
Doctor Faustus
By Christopher Marlowe
Directed by Philip Hays
Classical Theatre Company
“Playing a chorus of many, both Dain Geist and Joanna Hubbard are excellent in performance. Each masterfully jumps in and out of various roles with impressive and dynamic precision. Standout characterizations include Dain Geist's entirely creepy Bad Angel, complete with a sunken, low and weaving physicality, subtle smirk, and unnerving voice, and Joanna Hubbard's immaculately and distinctively voiced and personified Seven Deadly Sins.”
Cock
By Mike Bartlett
Directed by Mark Adams
Theater Lab Houston
“Dain Geist creates a spectacularly loving yet controlling persona as John's boyfriend, listed in the program as M. We can see how John fell for M; however, we also see how tenuous and complicated the relationship is.”
Ubu Roi
By Alfred Jarry
Directed by Philip Hays
Classical Theatre Company
“Buggerlass, played by Dain Geist, is an entirely grounded character. While pretty much every other member of the cast induces hearty guffaws from the audience because of how they are overacted, zany caricatures of the flaws of humanity, Dain Geist's Buggerlass is the person the audience roots for to become king. In Buggerlass, we see someone who will be able to do the job well and rule with a sound mind.”