IDEAS in PLAY
What do the ideas on the stage tell us about who we are/what we believe and how we connect to one another? Discover how stories come to live in unexpected ways and explore another level of PCS’ exciting season through conversation-driven public programs offered free to the community. What’s the Big Idea?

Join us this fall as we explore the quirks, characters and big ideas behind the shows of the 2009/2010 season at a variety of FREE discussion and participation events taking place at the Armory and all over the city.

RAGTIME Events

Ragtime Metropolis: Progressive-era Portland
presented in collaboration with the AIA Center for Architecture
When: September-October, 2009
Where: Lobby spaces of the Armory

Visual Exhibition, co-coordinated by historian Don Nelson that looks at the impact of immigration, the 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition and tension between tradition and change in Portland paralleling the narrative of Ragtime.

History Pub: Old Town Stories
presented in collaboration with Oregon Historical Society/McMenamins
When: September 28, 2009, 7 pm
Where: Kennedy School, McMenamins (5736 N.E. 33rd Ave)

These informal beer and banter “history pubs” feature a free history lecture and cold frosty one. Jackie Peterson-Loomis of the Old Town History Project tells tales of Ragtime era Portland- the people, architecture and events that sparked a century of sweeping change in our fair city (and the nation).

Portland: from Ragtime to Our Time
presented in collaboration with the Multnomah Library
When: September 29, 2009, 6 pm
Where: North Portland Library (512 N Killingsworth St)

A lively program looking at impact of race, class, culture and progress on Portland during era of Ragtime (1900-1917) and parallels to contemporary growth/change of the city. Panel discussion moderated by Judith Mowry, Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Restorative Project.

Formative Stages: Theater and the Life of the Mind
presented in collaboration with the Oregon Psychoanalytic Center
When: October 4, 2009 (following the 2 pm matinee)
Where: Main Stage, Gerding Theater at the Armory

Now in its third season, this post-show discussion series delves into issues of power, justice, family, betrayal and bigotry in the award-winning musical. Discussion will be led by Scott Murray, M.D.

Redirect: Law and the Theater
presented in collaboration with the Multnomah Bar Association
When: October 18, 2009(following the 2 pm matinee)
Where: Main Stage, Gerding Theater at the Armory

A new partnership with MBA invites lively post-show conversation exploring themes that touch upon law, liberty, justice and freedom in the theater. First in a four-part series. Co-sponsored by the Multnomah Bar Association

Architecture, Power and Justice in Ragtime-era Portland
presented in collaboration with the Multnomah Library
When: October 25 at 2 pm
Where: Central Library (801 S.W. 10th Ave)

Panel discussion about the intersections of architecture and power in turn-of-the-last-century Portland moderated by architectural writer Randy Gragg, featuring historian Jan Dilg, Philip Niles, and others. Co-sponsored by AIA Center for Architecture, in conjunction with the Portland Architecture and Design Festival.

BEN FRANKLIN: UNPLUGGED

The People’s Press: Ben Franklin and Letterpress
presented in collaboration with the Independent Publishing Resource Center and Stumptown Printing
When: November-December, 2009
Where: Lobby spaces of the Armory

Visual Exhibition of Letterpress printing featuring a curated selection of work by local artists; a letterpress/printers fair with demonstration (you too can be Ben Franklin for a day!) on Saturday, November 7 from 10 am to 1 pm, plus a lecture on printing, democracy.

Redirect: Law and the Theater
presented in collaboration with the Multnomah Bar Association
When:October 25, 2009 (following the 2 pm matinee)
Where: Main Stage, Gerding Theater at the Armory

A new partnership with MBA invites lively post-show conversation exploring themes that touch upon law, liberty, justice and freedom in the theater. First in a four-part series. Co-sponsored by Multnomah Bar Association.

Formative Stages: Theater and the Life of the Mind
Oregon Psychoanalytic Center
When: November 8, 2009 (following the 2 pm matinee)
Where: Main Stage, Gerding Theater at the Armory

Now in its third season, this post-show discussion delves into issues of independence, family, self-reliance in Kornbluth’s play. Discussion moderated by Nancy Winters, M.D.