“'Nicholas Nickleby' was the best example, where 43 people could make an audience of 1,500 look at a fingernail at any given moment. It was so controlled, and yet it was a group of disparate individuals. It was a happy, constructive time, and it seemed to be an active discussion of what makes the theater work.”

Welsh-American actor and director

Roger Rees was a Welsh-American actor and director. Born in 1944 and active across stage and screen, he was best known for his acclaimed performance as the title role in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. He won both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for that role. He also received Obie Awards for his performance in The End of the Day and as co-director of Peter and the Starcatcher. In November 2015, he was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.