Newly graduated from Macalester College and inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream, Jack Reuler founded the Mixed Blood Theatre Company in 1976. Today, Mixed Blood is a professional, multi-racial ensemble promoting racial equality and combating discrimination through artistic excellence. 

“Seeing a theatrical production is witnessing more than what’s on stage,” says Reuler. “We welcome people to our performances in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood so that they can experience our vision for social action in a global village community.” 

Nearly 35 years after founding Mixed Blood, Reuler has created over 250 productions that fight racism while modeling pluralism—presenting 16,500 performances to over 2.5 million people. Reuler has long been recognized for breaking down barriers culturally rich productions that address everything from ethnicity to class to sexual orientation. During the new millennium, his organization has focused heavily on new Minnesotans, primarily immigrants and refugees. 

In addition to staging performances, Reuler’s organization works extensively with schools throughout the state and Upper Midwest, partners with regional arts organizations, and offers a cultural training initiative for businesses of all sizes. “Theater, working in the tandem with like-minded organizations and active individuals, can become the straw that breaks the camel’s back – with the camel being the many ‘isms’ that plague our society,” says Reuler.