As a way to celebrate the people who support Portland Center Stage in a crucial way, we wanted to highlight Dennis and Jean Wilde, longtime donors of Portland Center Stage. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the many people who make theater happen in this community.

How long have you been attending Portland Center Stage?
We think we started attending plays at PCS just before Chris Coleman arrived.

Where is your hometown?
We were both born elsewhere, but claim Spokane, WA, as our hometown.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
Dennis: is a minister and performs weddings, baby blessings, memorial services, and the like, mostly for people we are acquainted with.
Jean: is a former tap dancer (in my extreme youth).

Which PCS production has been your favorite throughout the years?
We both agree that “Crazy Enough” is probably our favorite, although the one we sponsored regarding R. Buckminster Fuller is also one of Dennis’s favorites.

Pets?
We have a very adorable dog, named Magy. She is a Lagotto Romangolo, an Italian water dog. We bought her in Italy 7 years ago and had her shipped to Portland. She doesn’t shed, has a wonderful personality, and is a wonderful companion.

What is one of your biggest inspirations and why?
Dennis: This would be the Natural Step, which is how all of our actions need to be in concert with the earth’s capacity.

What other organizations do you support in Portland?
Caldera, The Natural Step, Cascadia

How did you get introduced to theater as an art form?
Friends inviting us to productions, probably first in Ashland.

Hobbies?
Dennis: likes to bike, fish and spend time with our grandkids.
Jean: likes to walk, read and spend time with our grandkids.
We are also love to travel. We just returned from a trip to Namibia and South Africa.

What do you think sets Portland apart from other cities?
There is a great deal of awareness of our city and how it fits into our environment.

Why is philanthropy important to you?
It is important for all of us to have a means to give back to the community.

What is your favorite children’s book?
Favorite children’s book would be all the Dr. Seuss books.

What is it about theater that inspires you?
It contemporizes stories of human struggles and triumphs.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
We’re too old to give advice. Life has taught us not to give advice, so the best advice we have is, ask questions.