2008 Woodie Awards
Men with leading roles in classrooms and on stage
Aaron Ostrenga
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: A&E
Some colleges instructors lead double lives. During the work day they conduct classes, meet with students and grade papers. But once off duty, they may sing, play in a band or even take the lead in a play like Communication instructor Eddie Skaggs who will perform in the Theatre Cedar Rapids production of "The Full Monty."
He has degrees in theatre, psychology and communication. Besides acting in plays through Theatre Cedar Rapids, including "Urine Town" and "My Way," Skaggs can be found teaching Fundamentals of Communication and Public Speaking. He said he deals with the demanding schedule by finding ways to benefit from performing and teaching.
Skaggs said, "For me I do look at some of my classroom experiences as a way of keeping myself sharp for the stage and vice versa."
Assistant Professor of English Keith Reins also has a passion for performance. During the week he teaches a variety of classes including Technical Writing and Elements of Writing. During his off hours he is an instrumentalist in an Irish band. He plays guitar, piano, tin whistle and other instruments and performs at Irish dances in various places around Iowa and as far as Chicago.
Reins said he does his best to continue performing, "You have to make time for it. Fit it in when you can."
On the weekends Reins said it is not uncommon for him to travel two to four hours at a time. Reins said he makes use of the time by, "Grading papers in the car on the way."
Both Skaggs and Reins have life long ties to their performance media. Skaggs was performing on stage at the age of 5. Reins began piano lessons at the age of 5 and played in a band with his father growing up.
Reins said, "I have just always played music. It has always been one of my main interests, so I just never quit."
Skaggs said performing "Became a self expectation, something I would always be in involved in."
With finals fast approaching these artists are still hard at work. Reins and his band are in the process of finishing their second CD of original Irish music. Skaggs will be performing the lead in "The Full Monty" as Jerry Lukowski from May 11-27 at Theatre Cedar Rapids.
He has degrees in theatre, psychology and communication. Besides acting in plays through Theatre Cedar Rapids, including "Urine Town" and "My Way," Skaggs can be found teaching Fundamentals of Communication and Public Speaking. He said he deals with the demanding schedule by finding ways to benefit from performing and teaching.
Skaggs said, "For me I do look at some of my classroom experiences as a way of keeping myself sharp for the stage and vice versa."
Assistant Professor of English Keith Reins also has a passion for performance. During the week he teaches a variety of classes including Technical Writing and Elements of Writing. During his off hours he is an instrumentalist in an Irish band. He plays guitar, piano, tin whistle and other instruments and performs at Irish dances in various places around Iowa and as far as Chicago.
Reins said he does his best to continue performing, "You have to make time for it. Fit it in when you can."
On the weekends Reins said it is not uncommon for him to travel two to four hours at a time. Reins said he makes use of the time by, "Grading papers in the car on the way."
Both Skaggs and Reins have life long ties to their performance media. Skaggs was performing on stage at the age of 5. Reins began piano lessons at the age of 5 and played in a band with his father growing up.
Reins said, "I have just always played music. It has always been one of my main interests, so I just never quit."
Skaggs said performing "Became a self expectation, something I would always be in involved in."
With finals fast approaching these artists are still hard at work. Reins and his band are in the process of finishing their second CD of original Irish music. Skaggs will be performing the lead in "The Full Monty" as Jerry Lukowski from May 11-27 at Theatre Cedar Rapids.
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