Reggie Pesky

Reggie Pesky was a theater director from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1980, he agreed to direct The Tempest for the Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Jefferson. However, he made the controversial decision to cast Nicole Williamson, a sasquatch, as Caliban; it was the first time the part didn't require make-up.

Unfortunately for Pesky, Nicole's father, Bill, was the Governor of Jefferson. Williamson arranged a meeting with Pesky. While it began cordially, with Williamson trying to explain that he was more than just an angry father (although he was), and that, in Jefferson at least, the casting decision might seem insensitive, Williamson soon overplayed his hand, and Pesky left.

Williamson then went to Jerry Turner, the producing director of the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Turner also had issues with Pesky's decision to cast Nicole as Caliban, but was hesitant to override a visiting director, for fear of driving off future directors. However, when Williamson told Turner about Pesky's general excitement about having a Caliban that didn't need make-up, Turner realized just how badly that would play in Ashland and in the whole state of Jefferson. To help persuade Turner, Williamson offered to find state money to help further fund the festival. After Turner secured Williamson's promise that there would be no strings attached, he agreed, and had Pesky promote Nicole to the part of Miranda.

Nicole played Miranda brilliantly. Pesky privately conceded so to Williamson, then told Williamson, "Fuck you."