A year and some ago, I set out on a journey to fully engage myself in a new career in an industry that I loved so much, but strayed away from. I, also, decided it was time for a change, and left New York for a foreign country that has become my home.
Squire Lane Theatrical (US) was formed only a few days before the new year. On December 31, 2016, we had a big dream to take two new theatre projects to Edinburgh Festival Fringe: WHORE: A Kid’s Play and JOY DONZE: 13 & Not Pregnant. Through the support of family, friends, colleagues and countless people we don’t know, we did. An indiegogo campaign raised over $15,000 and through the support of others close to us and a brave team of creatives, We had 3 previews in New York before heading to Edinburgh for 21 performers each. An entire month in Edinburgh receiving multiple 4 and 5 star reviews.
I came back to the US in April to design lights for “Man of La Mancha” for Vista Life Innovations, an all abilities production that is close to my heart.
Over the summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study at the Yale School of Drama summer program in Directing. Where I met some incredible individuals who love the theatre as much as I do.
Throughout all of this, I had the pleasure of working with Carguil Lloyd George Webley in developing SHADOWS, a new play that we put up in December. A incredibly important new play discussing race. The first show I directed – in London – received incredible reviews and was fully sold out for its 3 day run.
I also had the pleasure of working with Kashyap Raja, on developing his new play, VERSION 2.0, lighting his project DREAMCATCHER, and Dramaturging EARTH. After two successful readings and 20 or so drafts, we’re ready to put up VERSION 2.0 in London in February. I’m looking forward to getting this project up on its feet as soon as I return to London in a couple weeks.
Late in 2017, Squire Lane Theatrical (UK) was formed, a subsidiary of Squire Lane US and led by an incredible team of company directors – with plans to move forward on 4 productions in 2018 in London.
Squire Lane’s Twitter account had 6 followers at the beginning of 2017, today we have 9,671!
I had the incredible opportunity to travel multiple times to Dubai, Paris, Cabo, Bucharest, Edinburgh, Los Angeles, and New York, racking up over 120,000 miles this year in the air.
I’d say I had a packed year full of many successes and failures. I owe all of my success this year to the countless individuals who believed in me throughout it all. Thank you to all my family, friends and supporters that helped make 2017 a great year.
I look forward to a great 2018!
Happy New Year!
Kevin Michael Reed
Kevin Michael Reed is a theatre maker from New York City living in Dublin and London. His production credits have included producer, director, playwright, dramaturg and designer. He is Artistic Director of Squire Lane Theatrical UK, a theatre production company specialising in developing new works for the stage. He holds a BFA in Photography from the Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY), a MA in Playwriting from City, University of London, and a MFA in Theatre Directing from The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Art, Trinity College Dublin.