Behind the Scenes

In construction, we don’t just work with concrete and steel, but with hope and dreams. — Jackie “The Jackhammer” Jackson   On April 29th, 2016 the Reif Center reopened after…

(Professional Utilization of Puppetry for Performance and Entertainment Techniques) I am Oz, the Great and Terrible! – L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Here we go again! I’ve lost…

Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? -The Beatles, 1963 Everyone loves to be in on the secret!  Today, I’ll pull back the curtain…

I know what you’re thinking, it’s December and time for that same old Nutcracker show again! Honestly, I feel the same way! The Nutcracker was my very first production at…

No one sets out to make a bad movie. No one sets out to make a classic movie. Somewhere during development, filming, editing and marketing a film can go either…

It’s my favorite season again, and no it’s not Pumpkin Spice! It’s time for autumn and Halloween! Last year I had fun researching theater superstitions and spooky theater ghost stories,…

In nearly 30 years of working at the Reif Center I’ve witnessed the extraordinary support the Grand Rapids community has for the arts and culture in northern Minnesota. Here are…

No, it’s not the next winning Powerball numbers, but if they are, I want a cut! It’s Hairball by the numbers! ㉕ We got lucky! Hairball was originally scheduled for…

It’s not often that a Wikipedia entry offers these related subjects to explore, “Gingerbread House” and “Child Cannibalism.” But, when the Reif Dance Spring Production is Hansel and Gretel: A…

A warm welcome at the door, a friendly smile at the Lakewood Café, and a pleasant usher to help you find your seat; priceless amenities when you visit the Reif…