John Ruskin
Artistic Director/Founder
After graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder, John Ruskin studied with the Yale School of Drama and the British American Drama Academy program in Oxford, England. Ruskin then attended the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York before becoming Sanford Meisner's apprentice and teaching with him there. Ruskin has been teaching Meisner's work since 198,6 when he founded the Ruskin School of Acting. Ruskin founded the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica Airport in 2003. John Ruskin’s wife, Amy, runs the Young Actors classes at the school. John and Amy live in Topanga, California, with their two sons, Bodhi and Cooper and their dog, Champa.
Michael Myers
Producing Artistic Director
Michael Myers (Mikey) has been a driving force at Ruskin Group Theatre since 2002, serving as Producing Artistic Director and, previously, as Managing Director. Over the past two decades, he has produced more than 80 productions and directed or developed several original works, including Paradise: A Bluegrass Musical, Sneaky Ole Time (featuring music by Paul Overstreet), The Rainbow Bridge, and Digging Up Dad. He is also the co-creator of the beloved LA Café Plays—Ruskin’s signature short play series—which has been produced 247 times since 2003. Myers has personally produced every single installment. Beyond the theatre, Mike served on the Santa Monica Arts Commission for 12 years, including 10 as Chair. During his tenure, he played a key role in shaping city policy to help preserve affordability and accessibility for artists in Santa Monica. A dedicated educator, Mike has taught Meisner technique and graduate-level classes at the Ruskin School of Acting since 2003.
Nicole Millar
Production Manager/Associate Producer
Originally from England, Nicole Millar graduated from Hammersmith & West London College, where she studied Performing Arts & Media. Millar moved to the States to continue her studies at UCB LA, Viola Spolin Improv, Second City, and Comedia del Arte. After graduating from the Meisner program at the Ruskin School of Acting, she was hired as a Stage Manager and eventually Production Manager for the Ruskin Group Theatre. She also associate-produced many acclaimed shows at the Ruskin that have moved to the West End, off-Broadway, and Austin Playhouse. Millar is proud of her Greek Heritage and speaks the language fluently.
Mike Reilly
Managing Director
Originally from Upstate NY, Mike has worked with Ruskin Group Theatre since 2006 as Director, Producer, Production Manager, and everything in between. Among the plays that Mike has directed for RGT are: Death Of A Salesman, with Rob Morrow and Lee Garlington; Bad Habits, with Orson Bean and Ally Mills; Lonesome West, and Sam Shepard’s Cowboy Mouth. Mike holds an MA in Literature from LMU, and has taught acting to students ranging from young adult to adult professionals. Mike currently teaches Meisner technique for the Ruskin School of Acting. He lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife Elaina and their four sons.