Associate Professor of Theatre 艺术 Ben Reigel inspires the next generation through summer work with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival
In the vibrant world of theatre, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival holds a unique place in American theatre history. One of the oldest festivals of its kind in the US, the festival was founded in 1958 in association with the University of Colorado Boulder 和 continues to captivate audiences with the timeless works of William Shakespeare 和 other classics. 这个节日吸引了超过25人,000 patrons each year to its indoor 和 outdoor theatres 和 boasts a notable alumni list that includes Annette Bening 和 Val Kilmer.
Amidst this distinguished legacy, CMU Associate Professor of Theatre Ben Reigel has joined its ranks during the past two summer seasons. His involvement with the festival, along with his other professional pursuits, exemplifies the vital importance of summer engagements for academic professionals.
The theatre industry is constantly shifting 和 doing professional work outside the university setting allows professors to stay up to date with current industry practices 和 trends. Reigel says that summer work also helps him maintain his credibility with students 和 allows him to bring new ideas to the classroom rather than simply relying on past experiences or theoretical knowledge. 除了, connecting with other working actors 和 directors ensures that he has a current network for connecting his students as they venture out into the profession.
Reigel is currently playing Don Pedro in 无事生非 和康沃尔公爵 李尔王 along with serving as the fight director for both 李尔王 和 一个人，两个总督.
“Doing the thing I teach is absolutely necessary for me to keep inspired. Working with professionals who are new to me or working again with those I’ve shared the stage with in the past is what energizes me 和 makes me work harder,Reigel说. “There is nothing as exciting as going toe-to-toe on stage with someone who is better, more experienced or even just differently trained. I always come back to teaching with so much more focus 和 excitement after going away 和 working professionally.”
Aside from his work during the past two years with Colorado Shakespeare Festival, in recent years Reigel has also directed at the Texas Shakespeare Festival, acted 和 directed for the Aspen Fringe Festival 和 directed fights at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Reigel compared his experience this summer with his time at the festival last summer when COVID restrictions were still in place.
“Last year was incredibly exciting but the COVID restrictions made the experience much more challenging,他说. “This year we are obviously in a much better place 和 able to rehearse 和 perform with the freedom I no longer take for granted. The entire acting company, directors, designers, 和 production crew 和 staff are truly top notch. They clearly take pride in hiring people who are not only excellent at their craft, 但他们也很善良, supportive 和 collaborative.”
Live theatre is always an exciting 和 unpredictable thing 和 Reigel recounted a particularly visceral moment on stage this summer during final rehearsals for 李尔王.
“It was incredibly rainy 和 stormy here during much of the rehearsal process 和 being an outdoor theatre, 这是一个挑战,他说. “李尔王 famously features an extended storm sequence 和 during technical rehearsals, 当我们添加灯光和声音, our fake thunder 和 lightning were often happening at the same time that real thunderstorms were rolling in. There were many times that we didn’t know what was real 和 what was an effect.”
Reigel’s dedication to the symbiotic relationship between the academic 和 professional realms of theatre demonstrates the profound impact engaging with the world beyond the classroom can have on students. 通过他的激情, Reigel not only brings authenticity to his performances but also infuses his teaching with energy 和 zeal.
This coming season at CMU, Reigel will direct Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, 10月5日开幕.
Photo courtesy of Colorado Shakespeare Festival, photographer Jennifer Koskinen: Brik Berkes as Gloucester 和 Ben Reigel as Cornwall in Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s production of 李尔王.