Celebrate every success and every creation. But never be completely satisfied. The moment you feel you’ve mastered something is the moment you need to open yourself up to learning more.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Reed Sigmund.
Reed Sigmund has acted on Minnesota stages for the past 25 years. While performing onstage at Jungle Theater, the Zephyr Theater and Theatre Latte Dá, he has most often performed at Children’s Theatre Company where he’s been a member of the Acting Company since 2000. Apart from his work onstage, Reed has also spent time in numerous classrooms as an Arts Educator and Director. After 15 years educating and directing students in CTC’s Theatre Arts Training program, Reed joined The Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater, Minn. as its Director of Education in May 2021.
Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
In 2007, I was in a show called “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. We eventually toured the show to rural communities around Minnesota, and while staying in these towns, we visited elementary schools to teach acting, storytelling, and performance to students who hadn’t yet had access to theatre arts classes. The experience was so thrilling, and rewarding, that I became hooked on the concept immediately.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading the Zephyr’s education efforts?
The most interesting moment leading the Zephyr’s education program was stepping back and watching students assume absolute ownership of a piece of theatre that our programs inspired them to create. We had more than 100 students on a beautiful set, in the middle of a forest, performing a production of “Shrek Jr.” and it was magical. I’d worked with the students over the course of the entire school year and was able to watch many of them evolve from being unsure and disinterested, to fully engaged, proud, and confident in their creation. I’d never seen such growth on display — growth as performers, growth as individuals, and growth as a supportive team. I was fascinated by what they accomplished.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I was teaching an acting class for fourth graders, and I could sense most of the students were a little shy and reticent to participate. I wanted them to relax and unleash a little creativity, so while I was introducing myself, I told them they could call me “Mr. Reed” or any other name they wanted, so long as it was classroom appropriate. The results were creative, delightful, and horrifying.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
The Zephyr Theatre is making an impact in the lives of students right now by teaching them valuable skills! And we expect that impact will keep echoing through their lives. Our long-term goal is that our students will help create communities that are filled with empathetic individuals skilled in communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
The Zephyr Theatre’s education programs are open and accepting of all students, regardless of what unique developmental challenges they may experience. I was once teaching a collaborative storytelling program for grades K-2, and had a young, nonverbal student with ADS. On the first day, it was clear he was anxious and reluctant to participate. There were tears and a couple of outbursts. By the end of the six classes, he was proudly standing onstage amongst his classmates, smiling, clapping, and participating with full commitment. His mother informed that this was the first time he had found such joy in being around his peers. And that’s why we do what we do.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Absolutely! Support, donate, and get involved in the arts! The Zephyr Theatre’s programs could not exist without financial support. These classes need to be affordable to be truly accessible. By donating, buying tickets, or volunteering, everyone in the community can help ensure these programs continue and remain accessible to all.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is the ability to inspire others to try their best to be their best. I don’t believe a leader should insist there’s only one way that something should be done. I don’t believe leaders should give orders. I believe a leader leads with proper perspective, patience, and positive reinforcement.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
1 . That you can make art anywhere and everywhere, it does not have to be in New York or Los Angeles. Don’t let anyone else define “success” for you. Just make what you love.
2 . Diversify your employment. The arts nurture and promote a variety of skills that you can utilize within countless professions. Please don’t think being in a show is the only skill set you can use.
3 Watch people whose performance style you admire. Don’t imitate their work, or copy it, but study it. Ask yourself what you love about it. Then learn from their approach to performance.
4 . Never let someone in your profession convince you that you can’t have a life outside of work. Your work will suffer if it becomes your singular focus. You need to live a life outside your art, in order to find the inspiration and purpose for your art.
5 . Celebrate every success and every creation. But never be completely satisfied. The moment you feel you’ve mastered something is the moment you need to open yourself up to learning more.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
My movement would completely revolve around collaboration. Our world is so creative in creating conflict, but not yet skilled in collaborating on solutions for those problems.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Today is a good day to try.” Quasimodo
With most things, the hardest part is how to start. In those moments, I’ve learned that I need to stop worrying, and just begin. Just try. You’ll learn. Whether you fail or succeed, you’ll learn. But it all starts with trying. Why wait?
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I’ve dedicated my life to working in the arts by creating content that is specifically focused to include, encourage, and inspire young people. There’s a man also from Minnesota doing that same thing as Chief Creative Officer now at Pixar Animation Studios. His name is Pete Docter and I think his creativity, storytelling, and understanding of young people’s minds is absolutely extraordinary. I’d love to sit across from him and just let him speak. I’d want to soak up every word.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please visit The Zephyr Theatre website https://www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org/education
Here, you can donate to make theater more accessible and help further our mission.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Reed Sigmund Of The Zephyr Theatre Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.