Cameron Davis’ life is a balancing act as of late. By day he’s an attorney, and he moonlights as a community theater director.

He has spent many evenings and weekends of the past six weeks directing “Mr. Toad’s Mad Adventures” with the Matchbox Theatre, which closes today with a matinee production.

He has directed three shows with the community children’s theater in the past year, while he has been working with Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann and Hovey, LLP.

“What is most difficult is balancing my family life with the theater, because that’s how I’d normally spend that time,” he said.

To that end, Davis brings his family with him to rehearsals at the Paramount Theatre, where they can spend time together near the stage.

Everyone lends a hand, he said. His wife Kristy helped with the set and the props for “Mr. Toad’s Mad Adventures.”

“And, she gives great feedback. It’s nice to have someone else come in sometimes and give constructive criticism,” Cameron said.

Their 8-year-old daughter Kylee has a role in the play and their 2 and 4-year-olds have even helped out with some painting.

It was in search of a family atmosphere, after all, that lead Cameron to move his family back to his hometown of Austin in 2008, after being away for about eight years.

Cameron’s interest in theater was sparked when he acted in plays at Ellis Middle School as a child.

“It started as kind of a social activity, to stay involved with friends,” he said.

He stayed involved with theater, acting in high school and studying drama in college.

Ultimately, he was not interested in pursuing it professionally, and went to the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.

He lived in San Diego, San Jose and Las Vegas before moving back to Austin.

Cameron did not act or direct while he was away, mainly because there were so many aspiring professional actors in those cities that there weren’t many auditions for theater hobbyists, he said.

“Oddly, there were so many more opportunities in Austin,” he said.

Shortly after he and his family returned to Austin, Cameron became involved with Matchbox Theatre again. He had directed the theater’s first play at the Paramount in 1999, before heading to law school.

He directed the production, “Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective,” a few months after settling back into Austin.

Cameron said that community theater, especially children’s theater, is his passion.

“I really like working with youth. They are such a responsive, reactive and honest audience,” he said.

“Kids are very energetic and fun to work with. Sometimes it can be difficult or frustrating to channel their energy, but it is worth it,” he added.

In the future, Cameron said he would love to be involved with a production of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” at the Matchbox Theatre.

He also hopes to find the time eventually to have a role in one of the other local organizations, like Summerset Theater. Cameron does not have a preference between acting, directing and other production roles.

“I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy theater so much,” Davis said. “I enjoy being involved in it in any capacity. It allows for that kind of freedom.”

He plans to remain involved in the Austin theater community as long as he can continue to juggle it.

It helps that his little ones seem to already be taking a liking to the art, too.