No big surprise here: Steven Walters — who played the lead in Henry IV at the Dallas Theater Center this season and appeared in some of the DTC’s best work the previous season in The Beauty Plays (above, with Abbey Siegworth) — THAT Steven Walters is the latest local actor to join the Brierley Resident Acting Company, making it a 10-member troupe.

The most notable recent work by the Forth Worth native was his solo in Thom Pain by Second Thought Theatre, the company he co-founded.

Is there some ritual hazing or initiation ceremony? Do they get dubbed with a sword? Are they given a Justice League ring? There’s no word in the full release, which follows:

Dallas Theater Center Announces

Steven Walters as Newest Member of the

Brierley Resident Acting Company

DALLAS (March 17, 2011) – Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty announced today that local actor Steven Walters has joined the Brierley Resident Acting Company, bringing the company to 10 members.  Walters has previously acted in DTC’s productions of Henry IV (Prince Hal), The Shape of Things, Fat Pig and The Good Negro.

“Throughout the past three years, Steve has been a dynamic presence on our stage, a valued collaborator, a generous spirit and an all around great guy,” says Moriarty. “He has moved gracefully from drama to comedy and from contemporary to classical works. In addition to being talented and versatile, Steve is eager to continue to grow as an artist, and he brings a genuine sense of joy to the creative process.”

Walters grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Baylor University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre.  In 2004, he and four others founded Second Thought Theatre in Addison.

“I was captivated by Kevin’s production of Tommy in 2008.  I knew something exciting was happening at DTC and I wanted to be a part of it,” says Walters.  “Dallas is my theatrical home and I am honored to have been invited to join such a talented and diverse group of theater artists.”

In addition to his significant experience as a stage actor, Walters also acts on film and television, writes plays and screenplays, and is the co-artistic director of Second Thought Theatre, working alongside his co-artistic director, Chris LaBove, who also works as DTC’s associate general manager.

“Steve’s diverse artistic interests and his commitment to leading one of Dallas’ most compelling emerging theater companies adds to our enthusiasm for him to join DTC’s company,” explains Moriarty. “One of DTC’s goals is to support artists who will engage with theater companies and educational programs throughout the city. This is another way DTC can contribute to a thriving cultural life throughout the region.”

As a company member, Walters will perform in multiple productions in the 2011-12 season, will serve as a teaching artist and will engage in outreach work throughout the community.

Moriarty created DTC’s Brierley Resident Acting Company in 2009 to develop and nurture professional actors within the community, expand DTC’s artistic profile, and create ongoing collaborative relationships. “Great acting is at the center of all great theater,” Moriarty says. “The members of the Brierley Acting Company are vital to our artistic success and our relationship to the community.” Company members include Hassan El-Amin, Chamblee Ferguson, Matthew Gray, Liz Mikel, Cedric Neal, Abbey Siegworth, Lee Trull, Sally Nystuen Vahle, Christina Vela and Steven Walters.  All 10 actors are Dallas residents and members of the Actors’ Equity Association.

STEVEN WALTERS

DTC: Henry IV; The Beauty Plays and The Good Negro (a co-production with the Public Theatre in New York).  He is a co-founder and co-artistic director of Second Thought Theatre: Thom Pain (based on nothing), King Ubu, The Glory of Living, Humpty Dumpty.  Theatrical Credits: Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Cherry Orchard (Peterborough Players); Proof, Arcadia (Lost Nation Theatre); Jesus Hates Me (Kitchen Dog); Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare Dallas).  Television:  Chase, My Generation, Friday Night Lights, Trauma, Prison Break, Case Closed.