Don Reid - Playwright

Don Reid left Sydney University with a B.A., Dip.Ed. to teach English and History. In the late 1950's on the invitation of Doris Fitton, he trained with her and John Alden at the Independent Theatre. Along with other young actors at the time, including Jon Ewing, Reg Livermore, Clarissa Kaye and Lorraine Bayly, he joined classes conducted by Hayes Gordon, learning principles of acting derived from the great Russian, Constantin Stanislavsky via the Actors Studio, New York, and with Hayes as their leader this group became the original Ensemble Theatre Company.

Don has enjoyed extensive work in television from Skippy to All Saints, in film from Phar Lap to Moulin Rouge and in radio, recording numerous plays for the ABC.

His latest feature film, Men’s Group, in which he appeared with colleague Grant Dodwell, won the IF Award for Best Film and Best Script in 2008. His recent stage appearances include playing Samuel Beckett in Justin Fleming’s Burnt Piano for the Ensemble, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk for B Sharp at Downstairs Belvoir, and The Dapto Chaser for Merrigong Theatre.

As a writer, in 2008 Don’s Codgers had its world premiere at Riverside Theatres before successful NSW and national regional tours. Its sister piece, Biddies, will tour nationally in 2012.