Natalie Reiko

My career began as a competitive figure skater for 12 years. I now bring that dedication and drive to my work on the stage and screen. I am a story-teller at heart and work to bring lovely and interesting stories and characters to life.

I received my undergraduate degree in the United States and completed work on my MA in England. I have also received training at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre with a focus on mask work (neutral, larval, and character), basic acrobatics, and collaborative ensemble story telling. My Master’s degree, Acting in the British Tradition, focused on the traditional training methods offered in England. The program was heavily focused on the classics, covering the areas of Elizabethan, Restoration Comedy and the Well Made Play; including the works of Shakespeare, Vanbrugh, Wilde and Coward. We worked with instructors and directors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe and The National Theatre.

BASSC (British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat) certified with distinction in hand-to-hand combat, rapier and dagger and small sword.

In addition to furthering my acting career, I co-founded a local theatre troupe, based in Peoria, IL in 2012. The troupe is continuing to produce shows every couple of months.
The Great Work Begins is a troupe of theatre artists who came together while working on educational and community theatre in the Peoria area. Our mission is to provide a unique and moving theatre experience by producing unconventional shows in unconventional locations. We seek to partner with community organizations and businesses in order to create experiences that give back to the greater Peoria area.
Theatre brought us together and we hope to inspire others to take advantage of all the arts, the theatre and the great work that this area has to offer.

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