Greg Reiner, 7/30/07
Title:
Places, Everyone, Places!
Header:
Alumnus Greg Reiner holds productions together as managing director of The Actors’ Gang Theater.
Feature:
When Greg Reiner [CFA ’98] accepted the position of managing director of The Actors’ Gang, he never thought he would be instrumental in helping transform a small 99-seat theater into a professional theater company with a $1 million budget and tours to cities like Hong Kong, China, and Melbourne, Australia.
“It is thrilling to be part of a theater that has grown into a real institution in the local community and the world,” Reiner says.
Reiner also helped create an education and outreach program for the theater company. To this end, the Actors’ Gang performers teach various theatrical workshops to elementary, middle and high school students five days a week. Also, students from local high schools are invited to attend special matinee performances, after which they participate in a question-and-answer period with the performing artists.
Founded in 1981, The Actors’ Gang is a Los Angeles-based ensemble theater whose mission is to create socially minded and artistic original works and re-interpretations of the classics. It has produced 68 plays, developed and premiered numerous new works and received more than 100 awards. As managing director, Reiner, with a staff of four, manages the behind-the-scenes aspects of the theater company.
“The Actors’ Gang engages in issues that the theater is uniquely equipped to address,” Reiner says. “The experience is completely unique and can’t be found anywhere else.”
Reiner also maintains a close relationship with LMU. He has worked creatively and professionally with alumni and faculty and has recruited LMU students as interns. Next spring, he plans to start a workshop course taught by Actors’ Gang performers.
“Reiner always makes time for LMU and the students,” says Judith Royer, C.S.J., professor of theater arts. “He is an extraordinary person who is a doer, shaker and maker.”
Last spring, Reiner worked with Royer to bring the “Dead Man Walking” project to LMU. More than 30 students and professional actors presented the play, which chronicles Sister Helen Prejean’s journey as the spiritual advisor of a man sentenced to death for the murder of two teenagers. After the staged reading, a panel discussion about capital punishment was held.
“LMU teaches students that they can do anything they put their minds to,” Reiner says. “The faculty strongly encourages students to create their own opportunities and follow their dreams.”