A Discussion with Dustin Bronson, Portayer of Tom Winfield in Theater Latté Da’s Production of The Glass Menagerie

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Dustin Bronson

A Discussion with Dustin Bronson, portrayer of Tom Winfield in Theater Latté Da’s Production of The Glass Menagerie

Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie is playing at Theater Latté Da now through March 1. That’s a short run for an amazing theatrical experience, directed by Justin Lucero, and you’ll want to reserve your seats now. Dustin Bronson is cast as Tom Wingfield in the production and we wanted to know more about how he would approach the iconic dual role and the play’s relevance in today’s world. Purchase tickets here.

Q:  You’re stepping into one of American theater’s most iconic roles. What excites you most about playing Tom Wingfield in Theater Latté Da’s production?

A:  It is humbling and exciting to step into his shoes. In our production, Tom uses a film camera to explore and revisit his memories, so oftentimes I am behind the camera zooming in on the performance of one of the other characters in the play. It is often in those moments when I am inches away from one of my memories that I discover something new about Tom. It is through revisiting this play over and over again that Tom reveals another part of himself to me and I am able to see more of myself in him.

Q:  Why is The Glass Menagerie a play that still needs to be seen live in Minneapolis in 2026?

A:  There are so many moments in this play where Tom directly addresses the audience and warns them about the dangers that wait around the corner. I think that those warnings will ring clearly to people in Minneapolis given what we have all experienced in the last month.

Q:  Tom Wingfield is both narrator and character. How does that dual role shape your approach to the performance?

A:  As the narrator I am exploring a memory from my past. As the character I get to experience that memory in real time. What becomes very interesting is finding when the lines between those two roles are blurred.

Q:  Many actors describe Tom as autobiographical for Tennessee Williams. Does that influence your portrayal?

A:  I do think Tennessee Williams was sharing a part of himself with us when he wrote this play. In return, I think it is my job to reveal the most honest version of myself when sharing his words.

Q:  Tom famously longs for “adventure.” What does that word mean to you - and what do you think it means to a Twin Cities audience?

A:  I think we all long for adventure of some kind and think Tom would argue that it’s a fundamental part of what makes us human. It was actually a sense of adventure that brought me to the Twin Cities. I moved here when I was 18 years old from California, I had never experienced temperatures below 32 degrees. I had no concept of subzero temperatures. Now I’m happily walking to rehearsal when it's -5. I think adventure is often about the unknown, what can we find beyond our “two by four situation.”

Director Justin Lucero and team discuss their approach to this production.

Q:  Has playing Tom shaped your own thinking about family obligation, freedom, or regret? Why or why not?

A:  I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t spending my Christmas with my family clocking the parallels between them and the Wingfields. I think the tension we feel with our families is one of the most interesting dynamics we can explore as humans. I doubt there is a family in the Twin Cities who wouldn’t see a part of their family depicted in this story. I love my family so much and there are times when they drive me absolutely crazy, it's fun to get to explore that onstage with my fake family who hopefully won’t get their real feelings hurt if I freak out at them.

Q:  Was there a specific moment, line, or monologue that unlocked the character for you during rehearsal?

A:  Tom starts the play by saying, “This play is Memory. Being a memory play, it is dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic…” Justin, our Director, and the creative team are really leaning into the memory play presentation of this story. It is exciting to see how we are able to find a deeper truth if we don’t limit ourselves to the confines of naturalism or realism.

Q:  What’s next for you and how may we follow your news?

A:  Well, after we open I will be finding more time to play pickleball. But beyond that I usually post about my upcoming projects on Instagram.