Reed co-created the original productions of The Complete History of America (abridged), The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), Western Civilization: The Complete Musical (abridged), All The Great Books (abridged), Completely Hollywood (abridged), The Complete World of Sports (abridged), The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged), The Complete History of Comedy (abridged), William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged), and Hamlet’s Big Adventure! (a prequel). He also contributed additional material to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).
He is Co-Artistic Director of the Reduced Shakespeare Company and has performed in London’s West End, at Lincoln Center Theater, Kennedy Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The White House and Madison Square Garden, as well as in 12 countries overseas. Reed has performed at A.C.T. San Francisco in Travesties by Tom Stoppard and The Government Inspector, as well as at the Magic Theatre in Moving Right Along, written and directed by Elaine May and featuring Marlo Thomas. He toured for two years as a clown/assistant ringmaster with Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus. His voice is heard in the animated feature film Balto.
With Austin Tichenor, Reed co-created and co-starred in the TBS pilot The Week Reduced. He has also written for the BBC, NPR, Britain’s Channel Four, RTE Ireland, Public Radio International, The Washington Post and Vogue magazine. Also with Austin Tichenor, he co-wrote the illustrated children’s book Pop-Up Shakespeare with art by Jennie Maizels which was published by Walker Books and Candlewick Press. He co-authored the e-book How The Bible Changed Our Lives (Mostly For The Better) with Austin Tichenor, as well as Reduced Shakespeare: The Complete Guide For The Attention-Impaired (abridged), published by Hyperion. He has directed productions for The African-American Shakespeare Company, Tinhouse Productions Beijing, Shakespeare in Detroit, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
His work has been nominated for an Olivier Award in London, a Helen Hayes Award in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle Award. He has a BA in Political Science/Theatre from UC Berkeley, an MFA in Acting from UC San Diego and is a graduate of Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Clown College. A member of both Actors’ Equity Association and The Dramatists Guild, Reed is also a former professional minor league baseball umpire. He is on the faculty of Santa Rosa Junior College, Napa Valley College, Diablo Valley College, and San Joaquin Delta College. Reed lives in Sonoma CA with his wife and two sons, all three of whom are much funnier than he is.