REED
R McCANTS
Producer,
Writer,
Director,
Actor
Founder
and
Artistic
Director
of
the
Live
Theatre
Gang
C.E.O. Reel Rebel Productions LLC
On the Dramatic side, Reed's striking portrayal of Malcolm X was seen in colleges and universities throughout the U.S. in the early 80's. It sparked renewed interest in the slain leader. Malcolm's wife, Betty Shabazz praised Reed's portrayal while Malcolm's sister Ella, acknowledged that he walked with Malcolm spirit. Reed also produced and starred in a production of Neil Simon's Prisoner Of Second Avenue at 18th Street playhouse.
With his move to television, Reed won a reoccurring role on the daytime drama All My Children in New York and that encouraged him to move to Los Angeles. There he continued television appearances in such shows as Hill Street Blues, Fairy Tale Theatre, Buffalo Bill, A Different World and several films for television, Disney's Justin Case, the Donna Cheeks Story, the Streets of Justice, Better Off Dead, Run for the Dream, The Gail Deavers Story and Road Raiders. Reed has starred in such feature films as Project X, The Killing Hour, The Nation, and Spirit Lost.
In 1991, Reed turned to screenwriting and was given a three-picture deal at Columbia Pictures along with his wife, celebrated television director Neema Barnette. Reed then wrote the screenplay, "Assignment Berlin" for Rysher Entertainment and German Television. Reed's screenplay and independent Short "CUTTIN' DA MUSTARD", was among the first IFFM (The Independent Feature Film Project) "No Borders" entries. Mustard is a comedy that chronicles the lives of young aspiring actors who are members of a community theatre group. The film features an exciting cast which includes, Sinbad, Glenn Plummer ("Speed", "Menace To Society", "Showgirls"), Tichina Arnold, ("Everybody Hates Chris"), Shaun Baker (VIPs) and Flex, (“One On One").
Reed has always been committed to devoting his time and energy to preserve and nurture the arts in the Afro-American community. A product of Harlem himself, Reed feels "It is essential to give back". Subsequently he has created or co-founded four Theatre companies. The Renaissance Drama Company, Rainbow Connection Theatre and Rebirth Drama Company. More recently, he is the Founder of the Live Theatre Gang, which has been in existence for five years. During these tenures, he has produced and or directed well over 100 plays.
A list of some of the plays Reed has produced or directed include, The Odd Couple, Cheaters, Great Women of Color, Great Men of Color, The Mighty Gents, Ceremonies In Dark Old Men, The Little Black Book, Getting It Together, A Song For You, Women Behind Bars, Vanity's, No Place To Be Somebody, The Golden Boy, Cafe Millennium, Sista' Scrooge, Great Comedians Of Color and The Printz Of Poets.
In Los Angeles, at the Rebirth Drama Company, Kim Whitley (Next Friday, Oh Drama), AJ Saunders (A Different World) and Tommy Ford (Martin) are among some of the actors who received their first acting lessons from Reed and co-founder Juney Smith. He was also the coach for Keshia Knight Pullium and other young actors on “The Cosby Show” during its last three seasons.