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.

Tonight!!! Monday, November 10 in the Ellyn Bye Studio
Just added to the panel: Economist Joe (”The Young and the Restless”) Cortright

DYMAXION PORTLAND & THE SPACESHIP EARTH
A conversation about regional resources with
David Bragdon (Metro), John Haines (Mercy Corps NW), Jill Fuglister (Coalition for a Livable Future) and Lawrence Wallack (PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs)

Forty years ago, Buckminster Fuller envisioned a World Game that would , “make the world work for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or disadvantage of anyone.”

Join some of Portland’s leading thinkers and policy-makers for a discussion on the region’s “Spaceship Earth” challenges (like open spaces and environmental stewardship, renewable energy population growth, equity, sustainable development, climate change, hunger and affordable/adequate shelter). Presented in conjunction with PCS’ production of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE.

Monday, November 10, 7:30 pm
Ellyn Bye Studio, Gerding Theater at the Armory (Free and open to the public)
For more information: timd@pcs.org.| www.pcs.org

Make a night of it! Come by after the Portland Spaces/City Club Bright Lights Discussion Series featuring Congressman Earl Blumenauer in conversation with Randy Gragg (at Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave, starting at 6 pm)

More Posts about Buckminster Fuller || Get the Details about the Show || Buy Tickets

“When I’m working on a problem, I never think about Beauty, I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.”- Buckminster Fuller

If the mind twisting world of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE (aka the longest play title ever) has got your brain buzzing, now might be a great time to take trip over to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The current exhibit Mindbender Mansion is brainteasing trip though puzzles and riddles that I’m sure a world-class problem solver like Bucky would have loved.

Show your Bucky ticket stub at the OMSI box office and get $2 off admission!

So go on and solve some puzzles already!

Mindbender Mansion
Sept. 27, 2008 – Jan. 4, 2009
Enter the wonderful world of Mindbender Mansion, where a plethora of puzzles promise to keep your neural pathways limber. Think push-ups for the brain! Work your way through each of the mansion rooms, solving tabletop brainteasers as you go, or test your teamwork skills on one of the large-scale group activities. Solve enough puzzles and gather enough clues and you can join the ranks of the world’s greatest problem solvers, the Mindbender Society. Mindbender Mansion opens Sept. 27 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).
www.omsi.edu

On Shop for a Cause Day Saturday- September 20, 2008, guests can give back to the community and participate in a unique shopping experience at Macy’s stores nationwide including discounts, entertainment, special events and the opportunity to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes. All proceeds from ticket sales through the theater before the big day go directly to Portland Center Stage. Please contact the box office to purchase your entree to this exclusive event. A $5 pass entitles the bearer to special savings throughout the store in addition to regular and sale merchandise specials.