Need an inspiration jump start as you head in to the new year? We’re delighted to announce that, between now and December 31st you can purchase your Fertile Ground Festival Pass from Portland Center Stage and save $40 off the regular price. Pick up your Pass Here.

The Festival Pass gets you a ticket to Apollo, plus 35 other world premiere projects taking place in Portland January 23rd through February 2nd. You can check out the complete list of festival projects here.

In addition to Apollo, Portland Center Stage will be hosting three different events from our in house playwright’s group, plus late night “Hothouse” performances on our mezzanine and a daily “Down and Dirty at 12:30″ lunchtime play reading series.

Other festival events we recommend include Dave Frishberg’s new musical adaptation of Vitriol and Violets (about Dorothy Parker and the other writers of the fabled “Algonquin Round Table”), Ezra Weiss’ new Jazz version of Alice in Wonderland, and Eleanor O’Brien’s steamy exploration of the feminine libido in Inviting Desire.

And last but not least, you can show your support for the festival (and get great deals on all the participating shows) by purchasing one of these super cute Festival Buttons:

You can pick up your own button for $9 right here.

I’ve worked in professional theater for (gulp) 28 years now, and this is the first time I’ve been part of presenting a production of Dickens’ holiday classic.  Seriously, that is a lot like someone who’s been a waiter for 28 years and never poured a cup of coffee. It’s just plain unlikely. But in this case, it’s true.

I’ve had a few near misses. There was brief discussion back in the early 80s, when I worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, about launching a holiday show (we closed our season in early November, didn’t open again until February). But after our eight month season, we all decided we just needed a break, so that conversation didn’t last long. And of course, the very first Portland Center Stage version of A Christmas Carol was presented at Christmas 1998–and I had just left the company in July of 1998, after ten years. So I just missed that one! And in Seattle, I worked at Seattle Repertory Theatre, and ACT had the Dickens franchise all wrapped up. So our holiday fare leaned toward, well, nothing holiday-ish.

When I re-joined the staff at Portland Center Stage last June, I realized I’d reached the end of my personal Tiny Tim drought. Huzzah!

With an office next to the rehearsal room, I’ve been hearing beautifully sung carols for weeks. I’ve also noticed for the first time how many popular references there are to Dickens’ classic tale around this time of year, in both political satire and even in a daily comic strip, like this series for the past week in “Grand Avenue.” And our very creative multi media guy, along with some of our talented marketing team, are in the midst of creating this week a very special holiday treat for our audiences that is filling all of us with more mirth than should be allowed (stay tuned, we should be launching this gem later this week).

The capper for me? On Friday night, at the official opening, many young people from area alternative schools and programs joined us as our guests. I was talking to two of them after the performance, and they told me it was their first real live theater experience, ever. And the young man completed the full warm up of my holiday heart by telling us “this was way better than TV!” 

Yeah. Best theater holiday season ever! Now, what’s next on my list? Hmmmm…I’ve never worked at a theater that has produced Jean Genet…

more posts about A Christmas Carol || get the details about the show || buy tickets

Last week I gave a tour to a group of teens from SE Works, a program for young people who have had some hard issues to tackle in their lives. SE Works provides them with a place to attain their GED, receive job training, and transition to the work force. Paula in the costume shop said “everyone in the shop was very impressed-they were one of the most engaged tours we’ve had come through and they asked some really sharp questions.” Below is a letter from their teacher and above is a picture of these courageous and extremely self motivated young students.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to meet my students and give us a glimpse behind the scenes (literally) at PCS. Teenagers tend to see their world in terms of what is directly in front of them and rarely recognize what lies beyond their immediate, concrete view. I am in constant search of ways to broaden that view and introduce them to more of the community around them. By welcoming us to PCS, you helped facilitate that goal and added another component–more possibilities to their vision. Yet another of the many goals I have is conveying the importance of finding something you love and figuring out how to make a living at it. Your enthusiasm and passion for your job were obvious and kept my students engaged (a feat in itself!). PCS will definitely be at the top of my list for future tours!”

As a way to celebrate the people who support Portland Center Stage in a crucial way, we will be highlighting donors at the Producer level in each newsletter. These donors will be chosen randomly. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the many people who make theater happen in this community.

Where is your hometown?
Anna- Dundee, Oregon
Jeff- Newberg, Oregon

What do you do?
Anna - Co-Owner of Two Tarts Bakery
Jeff - Owner of Northwest Capital Partners (banking)

How long have you been attending Portland Center Stage?
3 years

Pets? Ozmund – our 8 year old boxer

What other organizations do you support in Portland?
Girls Inc., Lincoln High School Water Polo, Cascade Aids Project

How did you get introduced to theater as an art form?
Anna – my dad directed plays while he was teaching middle school and my parents would take us to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. When Jeff and I started dating I started taking him to the plays in Ashland and we’ve been loving theater ever since!

What do you think sets Portland apart from other cities? PCS?
Portland has the feel of a small city, with the benefits of a big one. I love that Portlanders care about the environment and want to protect the beauty and health of the city. I also love the food here. We are so blessed to have an amazing selection of awesome restaurants where chefs focus on locally grown ingredients. Finally, I love the people here. PCS is an extension of this. The quality people coupled with the passion for producing an amazing experience is definitely part of what make PCS so special.

Why is philanthropy important to you?
I think it’s important because we have been really blessed. We have food to eat, a roof over our head and have super supportive families. Not everyone has been this fortunate. If we could all just chip in a little, maybe those who didn’t have the same opportunities would get a little piece of what we have been given. It’s just the basic philosophy of “pass it on.”

Is there a play or playwright that most reflects how you feel about the world?
Although contemporary and kind of a no-brainer, I think “Rent” was the first play we saw after college that really got us thinking how we were going to live our lives. It has a huge impact on us, and was part of the reason why we decided to start supporting our local theater as well as CAP.

What is it about theater that inspires you?
We are continually mesmerized how we can enter the Gerding Theatre, maybe tired and stressed from a long day’s work, and come out completely refreshed. It’s like being transported to a different world. The passion exuded by the actors, the amazing sets, the diversity of plays, and the attention to detail make this such an inspiring place.

What is one of your biggest inspirations and why?
Jeff – My parents have been the biggest inspiration. They were both able to raise a family while getting an education and working full time. While we didn’t have a lot , as kids we never felt like we were missing out, and this had to be an extremely hard thing to do.
Anna – My parents as well. My dad started a small business while also working full time as a teacher. My mom was always supportive of my dad and us as kids and while we didn’t have a lot of money, they gave us a loving and supportive home. Jeff and I are both very, very blessed to have such amazing families.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
Jeff – While I certainly don’t feel old or experienced to be dispensing advice I would certainly say that supporting your community would be at the top of the list. Even small contributions can make a difference.
Anna – Listen more and talk less. It’s not an easy one for me but I’m learning, as a small business owner, a coach, a friend and a wife that this small piece of advice may be the most important of all. I’m a work in progress.

Interested in making a donation to Portland Center Stage? Gifts like yours make all the difference in helping great theater thrive in this community. We would love to have your support. Please contact Jessy Friedt, Donor Relations Manager at jessyf@pcs.org or 503/445-3744. You can also make a donation online now.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we prepare for our production of A Christmas Carol, what could be better than filling the Armory with, well, Christmas carols? Throughout the run of A Christmas Carol we’re inviting singing groups from the community to perform short sets of Christmas carols in the lobby before the show.

So if you’re coming to see A Christmas Carol next month, why not arrive early, 6:45 to be exact, and have some hot chocolate or a Christmas Present and enjoy the sounds of the season?

Are you a member of a local singing group? We still have some openings if your choir would like to carol in the Armory lobby. Contact Promotions Manager, Natalie Gilmore at natalieg@pcs.org for more information.

more posts about A Christmas Carol || get the details about the show || buy tickets