Galax Welcomes New Director at The Rex Theater

Staff

12 Feb 2026 — 4 min read

Ryan Hasler, new Director at The Rex. Photo by Sara June

The Neighborly had a chance to sit down with Ryan Hasler a couple weeks ago. We talked about his career in theater and what he's most excited about as he ushers in a new era at The Rex.

Where are you from and what background do you bring to The Rex?

I’m originally from Kansas and have loved film and theater my whole life. I studied theater and film at the University of Kansas, with film being my first passion. I started photography at a young age — even developing film in my own darkroom — so film production felt like a natural path for me in college. After graduating, I worked as a photojournalist for the Associated Press before returning to theater in Kansas City because I really missed being in the arts.

I’ve been working in entertainment production since I was 19. I started as a sound technician at a small rock-and-roll club and have worked in venues of all sizes since then. My background includes large-scale touring productions, Broadway tours, and cirque-style acrobatic shows, where I worked as an acrobatic rigger. I also spent a decade at Virginia Tech working in high-level performing arts, which was an incredible experience.

You were living in Kansas when you heard about the opportunity at The Rex. What factors went into your decision to come back to Southwest Virginia?

I had wanted to return to this area for some time and had been looking for theater and production work. My son lives here — he’s the technical director of a makerspace in a new science building at Radford University, where he’s also working on his master’s degree. Being closer to him was very important to me.

I also knew I didn’t want to live in a big city. I wanted to be in Southwest Virginia and back in the arts, but opportunities like that can be hard to find here. Roanoke is one possibility, of course, but when this position opened up in Galax, it just felt like the perfect fit. The Rex has so much history and character, and the role really lines up with my background and what I care about.

What’s in store for The Rex?

There are some big things ahead. I care a lot about the history of this place and its connection to local talent, and that will always stay front and center. At the same time, I want to help The Rex grow and reach new audiences.

We’re already seeing more regional and national acts bringing people into Galax from North Carolina and the New River Valley, and that helps the entire community by expanding our overall revenue base. I’ll be working closely with media and marketing to spread the word that Galax is a beautiful home for music and the arts.

The Rex is meant to be an open door — a warm, welcoming place where people feel comfortable sharing their art. And even during construction, we’re continuing traditions like our weekly Tuesday night jams in the lobby. That sense of community is a big part of who we are.

Do you want community suggestions?

Absolutely. I’d love to hear from people. I keep an eye on The Rex’s Facebook page to see what the community is excited about and I always welcome ideas. If someone has an idea for a show or is interested in renting The Rex for a production or event, please reach out through The Rex website. Community involvement is a big part of how we keep The Rex growing in the right direction.