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News & Events

Centennial Stories: John Reich Hired to Rebuild

​​On August 1st in 1957, The Art Institute offered Dr. John Reich the position of head of The Goodman School of Drama, with the hopes that he could restore the school’s subscriber base. Reich accepted the position under two conditions: he could replace faculty as he saw fit and hire professional actors to work alongside students in the repertory. Reich received his PhD from Cornell University, making him the first scholar to lead the Goodman School. Reich recruited Dr. Charles McGaw to the position of Senior Producer, and appointed Bella Itkin, affectionately known to her students as Dr. Bella, as the new Director of Children's Theatre. A year later, the school received a $10,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. With special permission, Reich used the funds to hire top Broadway and London actors as guest artists, attracting new crowds eager to see the stars in the school’s productions. Reich then launched a new subscribership program, which allowed the Goodman School to gain critical acclaim and nationwide interest.​


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