This morning we’re going to have our first run-through of the entire show in the PCS rehearsal hall. We’ve been rehearsing Apollo here at the Armory since December 16th, and we’re all just as happy and excited to be here as the PCS family is to have us! I’ve met lots of cool people here who have continuously said how they can’t wait to see our three acts of space race loveliness.

I’ve been a member of the Apollo ensemble since 2006, when Nancy Keystone began work-shopping part 3 of Apollo in Los Angeles. Several of my other cast-mates have been with the project for even longer when workshops for part 1 and 2 began six or so years ago. Because Apollo isn’t your average play. There are many sections of movement or text that were developed collaboratively with the group, that needed all that time to blossom and grow. We use a lot of props and we read and discuss a gi-normous amount of research that not only is relevant to our individual character work, but to the world of the play. (In fact, I believe there is a short handy-dandy study guide that may accompany your playbill when you come see an Apollo performance!)

12 days til ‘lift off’…did you get your ticket yet?

-Angie B.

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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!”

This winter, Portland Center Stage will be offering two dance classes from Portland’s very own dance sensation, Amy Palomino. Amy will be offering both musical theater and tap dance classes through PCS’s GreenHouse, a unique school of theater offering theater training and related studies for people at all degrees of involvement with the living stage. Space is limited, so reserve yours early.

Segment I: Musical Theater Dance
A fun environment where actors can brush up on their dancing styles. Learn a new combination in every class—each a different style from a different musical. Practice picking up choreography, learning the nuances of each dance style, and singing while you dance! In addition to the dance combinations, there will be a short warm-up at the top of each class to stretch and tone and the opportunity to practice various steps and techniques across the floor.
Course dates: Mondays, Jan. 5 through Jan. 26, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Tuition: $100

Segment II: Tap
A class for adult tappers who are dying to pull out and dust off the tap shoes and brush up their skills. Mostly geared toward advanced beginners and intermediate tappers, this class will include a warm-up, chances to practice steps across the floor, and tap combinations at the end of each class to learn and perform for the group.
Course dates: Mondays, Jan. 5 through Jan. 26, 8:00pm to 9:30pm
Tuition: $100

For enrollment, or any other questions, please call Kim Morris
at 503.445.3795 or email her at kimm@pcs.org.

Amy Palomino moved to Portland shortly after closing the Broadway revival of 42nd Street. Prior to that, she played “Lorraine” in the National Tour of 42nd Street and was assistant dance captain. She graduated with honors from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has been a performer and choreographer in numerous regional New York musicals. Amy most recently appeared as “Anybodys” in Portland Center Stage’s West Side Story, a “Kit Kat Girl” in Cabaret and multiple characters in the current production of Guys and Dolls (pictured above). She served as Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain for all three productions.

In this webisode of PCS Backstage, we take you into the rehearsal process with Chris Coleman, talk with costuming about those amazing pull-away dresses,  and talk shop with Don Crossley and Chris Rousseau.  Enjoy!

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YysY4uwBp_k w=425 h=344]

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Let me introduce to you the Mud Man. This towering ghoul will be stationed in the lobby of the Gerding Theater throughout the month of October and will be raffled off to one lucky winner. Place him on your porch for Halloween and you’ll be the envy of every house on your street and impress every trick-or-treater who comes to your door.

Raffle tickets are $5.00 a piece and will be available through our box office. The drawing will take place on October 25th and the lucky winner announced. The Mud Man will be delivered to the winners house so they can scare up the neighborhood the entire week preceding Halloween.

The raffle will benefit Portland Center Stage’s Promising Playwrights program. Every year, four talented High School playwrights are chosen from our Visions & Voices program, to participate in our JAW Playwrights Festival. These four young playwrights workshop new scripts along side nationally known Directors, Playwrights, Dramaturgs, Actors, and other artists. Their plays are performed with professional actors for the public at the end of the festival.

The raffle is made possible by the kind, generous and scary people behind the Davis Graveyard, Jeff and Chris Davis. Visit their nationally known haunt this Halloween season, and visit their website for more ghoulish information. www.davisgraveyard.com

Visit our box office for tickets or call 503-445-3700