GREENVILLE, Pa.—Filmmakers behind the locally produced film “Mister X” will visit Thiel College at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, for a panel discussion about filmmaking, art and the movie that gave Thiel students and alumni opportunities to work alongside members of the film crew.
The Common Hour panel is in Stamm Hall of the James Pedas Communications Center, two days before the “Mister X” Xtravaganza and movie sneak peek on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Reynolds Drive-In. Television personality and movie critic Joe Bob Briggs, who also makes a cameo in the film, will host the community event.
Director Tony Reames, writer and producer Vanessa Ionta Wright, producers Tymm Hoffman and Katy Rudnick, production coordinator Samantha DiBucci ’23, and hair and makeup artist Cora Post ’25 will participate in the panel.
More than a dozen Thiel students and alumni participated in the production as extras or shadowed members of the filmmaking team. Other members of the College community contributed technical and professional expertise to the production.
“Mister X” follows a seemingly random group of misfits who are invited by the mysterious Mister X to participate in a scavenger hunt. The group soon discovers the game has higher stakes as they race to uncover the truth, confront their fears and save themselves and their town.
Students who appeared as extras included Alexis Brown ’26 MBA’27, Dalilah Jeziorkowski ’30, Ella Blaney ’29, Logan Campbell ’30 and Addie Gongaware ’30. Students Kylie Coy ’27 and Mason Adams ’27 gained behind-the-scenes experience by shadowing members of the production.
Several other recent grads as well as members of the faculty and staff contributed to the film.
Thiel College Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Stacy Butera developed the Common Hour event to give students a look at the wide range of professional disciplines involved in filmmaking. The panel will explore both the creative and business sides of producing a film and introduce students to career areas that extend beyond acting and directing.
“Mister X” continues a connection between Reames and Thiel College that began with his previous film, “Spookt.” The Greenville native premiered “Spookt” at Thiel, where Reames and members of the filmmaking team also participated in a panel discussion.
Reames also has a family connection to the College. His mother, “Mister X” producer Mary Reames, is a lecturer emerita in Thiel College’s Department of Education. In addition to her producing role, Mary Reames served as the film’s logistics coordinator, arranging local filming locations and coordinating other production needs.
The production made extensive use of locations in and around Greenville. Scenes were filmed at Thiel College, Greenville High School, Greenville Manor, the Baughman Family Center, Reynolds Drive-In and the Waugh House among others.
Thiel College Trustee Rod Wilt ’86 also provided locations for the production, including the historic Majestic Bar & Grille, as well as Pine Hill Golf Course, where the crew conducted prop testing.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.