By Jessica Fanczi
Although assistant professor Brian Osborne has been teaching Reinhardt students about theatre since 2015, he still learns something new every time he watches a performance.
Osborne, who earned a master’s degree in voice performance from Florida State University and a master’s degree in collaborative piano from the University of Tennessee, has teaching experience at Oklahoma City University and the University of Mississippi and currently teaches music theory, musical theatre history, and voice and recital coaching sessions at Reinhardt.
“Theatre is a kind of mirror. We hopefully see ourselves in the characters, making mistakes, making
choices, good and bad, and hopefully learning and growing,” said Osborne, reflecting on this year’s student performances.
The music director for Reinhardt’s musical theatre and opera programs says he learned “as much as my
students did” during a recent cabaret production with his musical theatre class. This spring, Osborne also directed music for the musical “The Secret Garden” and the opera “Susannah.”
In addition to teaching Reinhardt’s students, Osborne holds the role of music director for the Georgia
State Opera, having recently worked on “Candide,” “Gianni Schicchi” and “Suorv Angelica.”
Osborne stays active in theatre year-round, participating in summer festivals such as Si parla, si canta in Urbania, Italy, and Reinhardt’s Musical Theatre Intensive for high school students. He also directs music for various regional productions at Rome Little Theatre.
Due to his continuous involvement, Osborne is able to keep a finger on the pulse of global theatre, learning what’s important to modern-day playwrights.
“It’s all about the outcasts in modern pop musicals,” he said. “Seeing those who have been rejected become the hero is an important and inspiring theme in musical theatre right now.”
In addition to directing and teaching, Osborne also enjoys appearing on stage, most recently performing the roles of Miles Gloriosus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls.”
When he’s at home and away from the stage, Osborne enjoys cooking.
“I’m not very good at it, but I experiment, and usually it turns out pretty good.”
