Mission of the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts Theatre Program
In addition to the performance spaces, the Theatre Department has a full scene shop, costume shop, and dance studios. At RMSOTA, students will delve into Acting Theory, Musical Theatre History, and Movement Based Storytelling, as well as many other aspects of theatre.
Our Theatre Faculty
Hannah Reed is the high school theatre teacher and troupe director of troupe 8787 here at Rainey-McCullers. Ms. Reed joined the RMSOTA faculty in Fall 2021. She teaches Musical Theatre, Theatre Arts Literature, Adv. Theatre, and Acting.
Ms. Reed graduated from Columbus State University with her Bachelors in Theatre Education in Spring 2021. She has been doing theatre since she was 9 years old and was featured in a school play where she took over the role of Director (without her actual director’s consent). She thinks she is in the perfect field!
Although Ms. Reed loves performing, she is also passionate about stage management, and the technical aspects of theatre as well. She recently stage managed ‘Night Mother at Columbus State and A Tuna Christmas at The Springer Opera House. Summer 2021, Ms. Reed taught the Tykes and Juniors class at The Academy at The Springer Opera House. She aspires to soon get her Masters in Theatre Education, and then Administrative Education. She loves the students at Rainey and is so excited to teach what she loves at RMSOTA.
Jordan James is the middle school theatre teacher at Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, where she joined the RMSOTA arts faculty at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. She passionately teaches all three levels of middle school theatre, inspiring her students with dedication and creativity.
A graduate of Columbus State University, Mrs. James earned her B.S.Ed. in Theatre Education in 2016 and quickly launched her teaching career at Richards Middle School that December. Driven by her love for the classroom, she furthered her education, obtaining her M.Ed. in Theatre Education in 2019.
In 2021, Mrs. James and her husband relocated to El Paso, Texas, where she continued to inspire students at Sun Ridge Middle School. After two years in the Texas desert, she was thrilled to return to Columbus and continue her teaching journey at RMSOTA. Eager to collaborate with Ms. Reed and Mr. Rich, Mrs. James looks forward to creating an enriching and dynamic experience for her students.
Mr. William “Bill” Rich is the Technical Director at Rainey. He was inspired by an elementary school field trip backstage, where the tour guide described that there were roughly 10 people backstage supporting for each person onstage, and as a youngster thought, “it must be crowded back there.”
Bill graduated from Bolles High School in Jacksonville, FL where he enjoyed acting for one year (and thankfully gave that up), and became TD for his senior year. On to Auburn University, where he graduated with a BFA in Technical Theatre with emphasis in Lighting Design and Management.
Upon Graduation, he was the Tech Dir/Light Designer/Set Designer/Sound Engineer for the Springer Opera House here is Columbus, GA for a couple years before heading to be Assistant Professor/Shop Foreman for LSU Theatre. After a year, he went to sunny Florida to help run the family Marina with Beach and Boat Tours in Naples FL. After 2.5 years of enjoying the sunshine and leisurely life, he headed back to the Springer to take on the previous position.
In 1994 he came up with the hair-brained idea to start Rich Scenery and Lighting, now RSL Theatrical, here in Columbus GA. For 25+ years, RSL Theatrical has worked on everything from Opera to HS and Professional Lighting designs to Church installs to Corporate Events and meetings to weddings, parties, fundraisers, and has been on the production team for the Miss GA Pageant for all those 25 years. RSL continues to do all those events to this day! He has worked with the likes of AFLAC on many national events, TSYS, St. Francis, CSU (Graduation and other events), Columbus Symphony, River Center, Springer, Alzheimer’s Association, and even Atlanta Opera, Augusta Opera, and Fargo Opera.
When hearing about the fine arts school to be built for MCSD, he was excited at the opportunity for the students, but also hoped that he could be of value to the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts. Here at RMSOTA he is the Technical Director, Set Designer, Sound Engineer, Booking Agent, Event Coordinator, and he helps out with numerous other events throughout each school year. He is thankful to be a small part of the RMSOTA Family.
