The husband and wife team of James Reynolds and Lissa Layng Reynolds bring an impressive background to the theater as actors, producers, entrepreneurs, and for their community involvement.

James, known presently, and for the past eighteen years, as the stalwart Commander Abe Carver on NBC's popular daytime drama, "Days Of Our Lives"(DOOL), was formerly Managing Artistic Director of the LART (Los Angeles Repertory Theater Company) at DeLacey Street theater in Old Town Pasadena, for which he gained a reputation for theatrical innovation and excellence. He presently serves on the Board of the Kansas historical society.

Lissa was busy establishing the highly successful Performers Audition Showcase (PAS) the original professional actors' showcase in Hollywood, during the years James was running his Pasadena theater company, prior to their marriage. For the past 15 years, since marriage, the Reynolds have resided in South Pasadena. They maintain active lives in theater and in film and television acting, where both are award-winning actors. They are also known for their many contributions to the schools in South Pasadena.

In addition to their life as actors they established a successful family-owned adult learning business in South Pasadena in 1991, Classes Unlimited. For this endeavor they received local and statewide recognition as Business Persons of the Year in 1994. Prior to starting this adult education business, Lissa, was on the faculty of the Theater Department at Los Angeles County High School of the Arts (LACHSA) at Cal State L.A.

The Reynolds'shared vision of establishing a theater in South Pasadena specializing in plays that are original, unique, and obscure (with a few old favorites from time to time) became a reality in 1997 when, in association with Classes Unlimited as a corporate sponsor, they opened the Fremont Centre Theatre. This became an example of their philosophy that combing business with the arts makes for a perfect blend of mutual benefits.

In 1998 the Reynolds were named by Pasadena Weekly to be among the 100 Most Influential Persons in Pasadena and more recently in 2000 labeled them as one of the prominent "movers and shakers" of South Pasadena. In 2000 their Fremont Centre Theatre was designated by Valley Magazine as Best Equity Waiver Theater. The theater has received numerous recognitions of excellence from the media, the critics, and the public alike.

During their "off-hours" and "free time" James and Lissa have maintained a priority of giving back to the community. They have received recognition for their many volunteer and fund raising efforts whose beneficiaries have included: Haven House Women's Shelter in Pasadena, Women's Care Cottage in Van Nuys, the Pasadena Humane Society, the Foothill YMCA, the South Pasadena Police Department, and the South Pasadena schools, where the Reynolds, in their efforts to bring active theater participation to young children, they directed local elementary school productions of Shakespeare (for which they both received Distinguished Service Awards from the Arroyo Vista PTSA). For the South Pasadena Middle and High School boys athletic programs they have organized, for over 9 years, annual celebrity basketball games pitting the cast of Days Of Our Lives against various opposing teams. For three years Lissa served as a chair person for the local high school's Career Connection Program where she received her second PTSA Distinguished Service Award.

On a very personal note -- the Reynolds share a passion for basketball (especially the Lakers) which almost equals their love for theater. They proudly display their signed copies of shoes worn by Shaq and one worn by Koby and Lissa has been seen proudly displaying these mementos walking down the street or at the theater for all to see. It naturally follows that James would be pressed into service as coach of Lissa's all-female basketball team at the Y and that Lissa cheered from the sidelines as James appeared in before game scrimmages at the Forum before the Sparks' games and in his singing of the National Anthem before the Clippers game. All of this proves, according to the Reynolds, that the bard and the board go hand in hand.