Person biography:
Michael James Reed has been a professional actor for over 30 years, with a career spanning from London to New York to Los Angeles and now St. Louis, Missouri.
Early career:
Michael graduated from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and made his London stage debut in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "Richard III" starring Antony Sher. He also appeared in the award-winning national tour of "The Illusion" with the Actors Touring Company.
Film and television appearances:
Michael appeared in the films "The Dressmaker" and "Love Potion" as well as numerous television appearances including "Small World," "Saracen," and "Beadle's About."
New York career:
Michael's work in New York included the original Broadway production of "La Bete," as well as Edgar in "King Lear" starring the late Hal Holbrook at the Roundabout Theatre. Other New York credits included the title role in Eric Overymyer's adaptation of "Amphitryon" at the Classic Stage Company, and numerous shows with the Pearl Theatre Company, including "Twelfth Night" and "The Venetian Twins" both directed by John Rando.
Regional theatre appearances:
Michael has played leading roles at some of the most acclaimed theatres in the country, including Marc Antony in "Julius Caesar" at the Old Globe (directed by Daniel Sullivan),Pericles in "Pericles" at the Old Globe (directed by Darko Tresnjak),Brick in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at ACT in San Francisco (directed by Israel Hicks) and Joe Pitt in "Angels in America" at Houston's Alley Theatre (directed by Michael Wilson).
Los Angeles career:
In Los Angeles, Michael co-starred and guest starred on numerous television shows, including "24", "JAG", "Six Feet Under", "King of Queens", "That 70s Show", "The Shield", "Silk Stalkings", "So Notorious", "Method and Red", and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." He was also seen in dozens of national commercials during his LA years, playing young dads to offbeat corporate types and everything in between for products such as Kia, Nissan, Church's Chicken and Dell Computers.
St. Louis career:
Since 2010, Michael has been a resident of St Louis, Missouri, and continues a very active local acting career including frequent appearances at The Rep (most recently "Pride & Prejudice," "Dolls House, part 2," "Hamlet," All the Way," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream"); The MUNY (most recently "1776," "Paint Your Wagon," "Gypsy," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "The Music Man"); and over 10 Shakespeare Festival St. Louis productions (including "Romeo & Juliet," "Henry IV & V," and "Twelfth Night."). He has also ventured up to Chicago a few times since relocating to the Midwest to appear in multiple episodes of "Chicago P.D."
Teaching and coaching:
Michael has been an adjunct professor at University of Missouri St Louis, Saint Louis University, and Washington University. He is also a current member of the adjunct faculty at Webster Conservatory, where he teaches 2nd year Auditions, 3rd year Musical Theatre Scene Study, and 4th year Camera Acting.
The Michael James Reed Studio:
Founded in 2015, The Michael James Reed Studio was created as a place where Michael could take his years of experience from the bigger acting markets outside of St. Louis and mentor and coach actors of all ages take the next steps in their careers. Michael's on-camera and audition coaching in particular has been invaluable resource for many local actors, drawing on a wealth of industry knowledge and personal experience unmatched in St. Louis. He also offers a complete self-taping service for actors including preparation, taping, editing and submission.
