David Alford Returns to Jacksonville Stage in Lumen Rep’s 'American Buffalo'

Acclaimed actor and director David Alford returns to the Jacksonville stage this summer to star in Lumen Repertory Theatre’s upcoming production of David Mamet’s American Buffalo. The gritty three-man drama opens June 13 in the intimate black-box setting of WJCT Studio B.

Alford, a veteran of stage and screen, is known locally for his riveting performance in Lumen Rep’s 2024 production of The Zoo Story. That role earned high praise from JaxPlays, which described his work as “deeply engaging and flawless,” adding that “his mere expressions steal the show.” His portrayal of Peter was lauded for its emotional precision — “every wince is felt by the audience.”

Now, Alford takes on the role of Walter “Teach” Cole, a volatile hustler at the heart of Mamet’s sharply drawn tale of loyalty, ambition and moral collapse. He joins Lumen Rep co-founder Brian Niece, who plays Donny Dubrow, and Joshua Britton Andrews as Bobby.

In a cluttered Chicago junk shop, Donny, a weary store owner, teams up with his brash friend Teach and a young, uncertain protege named Bobby to steal a rare coin they believe was unfairly sold. But as tensions rise and loyalties fray, their plan crumbles into suspicion and violence. American Buffalo lays bare the fragile dynamics between these three men, exposing the quiet desperation that drives them and the harsh realities of trust, ambition and survival in a cutthroat world.

Co-directed by Niece and Tyler Hammond, American Buffalo is the second production in Lumen’s “Subversive Season,” following Agnes of God. The company continues its mission to present challenging, thought-provoking theatre while offering artists the protections, fair pay and professional working conditions associated with Equity productions.

“American Buffalo continues our Subversive Season’s commitment to theatre that confronts human desire and ethical ambiguity,” Niece said in a statement.

Alford’s return further underscores Lumen Rep’s growing reputation as a haven for professional artists. Best known for his work on ABC’s Nashville and for his plays Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee and Smoke: A Ballad of the Night Riders, Alford also directed Lumen’s American Dream last year.

American Buffalo runs June 13 through 28. Tickets are $45, with free admission for high-school and college students through the NEXTGEN program. More information is available at lumenrep.org.