Associate Professor of Theatre Arts 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 and continues to captivate audiences with the timeless works of William Shakespeare and other classics. The festival draws over 25,000 patrons each year to its indoor and outdoor theatres and boasts a notable alumni list that includes Annette Bening and 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 and doing professional work outside the university setting allows professors to stay up to date with current industry practices and trends. Reigel says that summer work also helps him maintain his credibility with students and allows him to bring new ideas to the classroom rather than simply relying on past experiences or theoretical knowledge. In addition, connecting with other working actors and 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 Much Ado About Nothing and the Duke of Cornwall in King Lear along with serving as the fight director for both King Lear and One Man, Two Guvnors.
“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 and makes me work harder,” says Reigel. “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 and excitement after going away and 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 and directed for the Aspen Fringe Festival and 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,” he said. “This year we are obviously in a much better place and able to rehearse and perform with the freedom I no longer take for granted. The entire acting company, directors, designers, and production crew and staff are truly top notch. They clearly take pride in hiring people who are not only excellent at their craft, but who are also kind, supportive and collaborative.”
Live theatre is always an exciting and unpredictable thing and Reigel recounted a particularly visceral moment on stage this summer during final rehearsals for King Lear.
“It was incredibly rainy and stormy here during much of the rehearsal process and being an outdoor theatre, that was a challenge,” he said. “King Lear famously features an extended storm sequence and during technical rehearsals, when we add lights and sound, our fake thunder and 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 and what was an effect.”
Reigel’s dedication to the symbiotic relationship between the academic and professional realms of theatre demonstrates the profound impact engaging with the world beyond the classroom can have on students. Through his passion, Reigel not only brings authenticity to his performances but also infuses his teaching with energy and zeal.
This coming season at CMU, Reigel will direct Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, opening October 5.
Photo courtesy of Colorado Shakespeare Festival, photographer Jennifer Koskinen: Brik Berkes as Gloucester and Ben Reigel as Cornwall in Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear.