Grimes Ready to Launch Riverside Actors Theatre

Ben Grimes (’20) is set to launch the Riverside Actors Theatre, a unique theatre initiative in Central Arkansas that will focus its mission on outreach to address the needs of military veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other service-related challenges. The theatre’s launch event is set for Thursday, March 31 in Little Rock.

Grimes, a full-time commissioned officer in the Arkansas Army National Guard, initiated his research for the Riverside Actors Theatre as part of his field service work as a student at the Clinton School of Public Service. Grimes used his final Capstone project to examine drama therapy techniques at organizations across the country, especially those engaged in veteran outreach. Focusing on studies that showed success in treating PTSD and depression among service veterans, Grimes developed a program that utilized group meetings, performance, and the texts of William Shakespeare. He called the program The Breach, which has since evolved into the Riverside Actors Theatre.


“Since that time the concept has continued to evolve into what is now the Riverside Actors Theatre, a theatre company that is committed to service as its primary mission. Riverside allows us to widen our efforts and address other challenges and issues that exist in our community. The concepts and techniques developed with The Breach will still be a cornerstone of Riverside’s work and will serve as our education and outreach activities.” – Ben Grimes (’20)


Grimes worked as an actor for more than a decade before joining the United States Army in 2006. In 2007, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as an Airborne Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2017, he deployed for a second time to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following the conclusion of his second deployment, Grimes began to reintegrate back into theatre as a means to cope with the stress of military life and combat.

Grimes enrolled at the Clinton School in 2018 in part to explore theatre practiced as a public service and to develop and launch his idea for the Riverside Actors Theatre. He said that his hope for the Riverside Actors Theatre is, through telling veterans’ stories, the program can destigmatize the veteran experience while simultaneously advocating for ongoing care and support to the veteran community.

Grimes said that he hopes to begin the Riverside Actors Theatre inaugural season in September 2022.

“We don’t have exact dates and times pinned down yet, but I can tell you the season should be extremely engaging and will establish our brand for high-quality, provocative, and purposeful theatre,” Grimes said. “We plan to open with ‘Ugly Lies the Bone,’ by Lydsey Ferratino, a post-Global War on Terror play about healing the scars of war and coming home.”

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