Meet Reanne Acasio of The Old Globe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reanne Acasio.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Everyone has a unique way of getting from Point A to Point B. It is almost never a straight shot, and many of us don’t even know what or where Point B is. In this regard, I am not unique.

I was hired at The Old Globe shortly after college. I had graduated a quarter early, so I really put my nose to the grindstone between then and my June graduation ceremony. What was I to do with a B.S. in Psychology with an emphasis on Social Psychology? Continue my work as a Clinical Research Assistant at the V.A. Hospital? Find a lab whose research piqued my interest to work at?

How about neither? Bear with me here.

Though seemingly counter-intuitive, it is actually pretty common for young adults these days to work in fields they did not get their degrees in. For me, I had a deep passion for theatre that I chose to ignore no longer. My studies in Psychology proved to be a great advantage in the theatre field that I had not expected. In fact, it helped shape the kind of theatre I wanted to create and surround myself with. Instead of exploring the human mind through clinical research, I was now exploring it through an artistic lens in theatre.

In the months between finishing classes and my graduation ceremony, I switched my focus from opportunities in local research labs to opportunities in local theatre companies. San Diego Repertory Theatre welcomed me as their Casting intern, followed by La Jolla Playhouse a few months later, who granted me with an Artistic internship under Tony Award-winning Christopher Ashley.

Both internships were unpaid, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the bigger picture. This was made possible by the 4:00 am opening shifts as a Starbucks barista to support myself financially. I’m going, to be honest here: this was hard. My average day would look like this:

3:30 am – Head to Starbucks to work the opening shift.

8:30 am – Head to La Jolla Playhouse for a full day of Artistic interning.

5:00 pm – Head to rehearsal for the musical I was in.

11:00 pm – Go to bed and start all over.

Thankfully, after my fair share of exhaustion, this changed drastically when I was hired in a full-time position at The Old Globe. However, the sense of relief also came with a strong feeling of intimidation. I was the youngest full-time employee in the institution without a degree in theatre or any professional theatre experience. But the institution welcomed me with open arms, and it has been quite the dream job every day since.

Working at The Old Globe has played to all of my strengths and fostered my growth in the vast field of theatre. I even got to make my principal debut as an actor in a world premiere musical on one of their stages.

Today, I am working with my team in Arts Engagement at The Old Globe to make theatre matter to more people. We work with students, incarcerated individuals, refugees, homeless populations, and so many other members of our community to positively impact their lives through theatre. Everything that has happened since I joined the Globe family has exceeded my wildest dreams.

Has it been a smooth road?
Has anyone you’ve interviewed ever answered “yes” to this? I mean, if so, props to them. As for me, it has definitely not been a smooth road. I spent my entire academic life studying to be a doctor. As soon as I got my Bachelor’s degree, I made a sharp turn and dedicated my life to my passion: theatre. My parents have been incredibly supportive of this career change, though having a full-time job with health insurance and a 401k definitely helped them feel more at ease.

As a military brat, I was constantly moving both within the United States and overseas. I won’t go into the challenges that came with this lifestyle as I am sure you can assume what they were. It was not easy, but it has colored my life experience and shaped me into the hardworking, resilient person I am today. I am going to avoid getting too personal, but life has thrown its fair share of punches at me (as it has with everyone in existence). But the human spirit is strong, and I am here today getting to do what I love. Not everyone gets that chance. I am thankful every second for it.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Old Globe – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am the Arts Engagement Operations Coordinator at The Old Globe. Quite the mouthful, huh?

“The Old Globe believes that theatre matters. Our commitment is to make it matter to more people.”

That’s the official answer. Digging deeper, the work of the Arts Engagement department at The Old Globe is greatly community-based. As mentioned earlier, we serve students, incarcerated individuals, refugees, homeless populations, and other members of our community.

Our “Reflecting Shakespeare” program works with incarcerated individuals to build self-esteem with theatre-based activities, reflection, journaling, and the study and performance of Shakespeare.

“AXIS” brings artists and craftspeople together to create art through free cultural programs on the Globe Plaza.

We make art in neighborhoods throughout San Diego by touring free professional theatre with our “Globe For All” tours.

Our “Behind the Curtain” free workshops offer participants a hands-on chance to explore the magic of creating a theatrical production.

“Breaking Bread” connects communities through great food and great conversation.

“coLAB” was created to elevate the voices of San Diegans through a collaborative art-making process between community members and artists, turning their stories into theatre.

We offer a series of free workshops dedicated to the process of creating short plays by adult residents of San Diego County called “Community Voices.”

The “Pam Farr Summer Shakespeare Studio” is an intensive for current and recent high school students to develop foundational skills for reading, interpreting, and performing Shakespeare’s plays and to cultivate their own artistic voice through storytelling and the creation of original material.

We also offer “Free Student Matinees” to give students, many of whom have never seen theatre before, access to live, professional theatre of the highest quality.

I am most proud of the stories of impact that are shared with us after we bring our programming to communities. Seeing hearts changed behind prison walls, witnessing the shyest of students breaking out of their shells performing Shakespeare, and celebrating the story of a homeless veteran gaining employment and a home and attributing that motivation to The Old Globe… theatre is having a profound impact on people, and I am so proud to be a part of that.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I found it impossible not to fall in love with San Diego. It has the best parts of my favorite places. Endless sunshine, beaches, a hustling and bustling city life, friendly people, dogs everywhere, gorgeous places to hike, a wide variety of cuisine, a top-notch theatre scene, and plenty to do within a short driving distance. It’s slow-paced when I need it to be, and it’s fast-paced when I need it to be.

What do I like least? It is so expensive. But I guess you pay for what you get.