Astoria: Part One
Adapted from the best-selling book by Peter Stark, this harrowing dual journey — one over land, one by sea — will be told with an exceptional cast of sixteen actors. At a time when the edge of American settlement barely reached beyond the Appalachian Mountains, two visionaries — President Thomas Jefferson and millionaire John Jacob Astor — foresaw that one day the Pacific would dominate world trade as much as the Atlantic did in their day. Just two years after the Lewis and Clark Expedition concluded in 1806, Jefferson and Astor turned their sights westward once again. Thus began one of history’s dramatic but largely forgotten turning points in the conquest of the North American continent.
Who's who:
View the cast & creative team bios.
Playbill:
Explore the playbill.
Run Time:
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one intermission.
Note:
Recommended for ages 14 and up. Contains gunshot sound effects, and some mature content and language. The actors in this production will be using tobacco-free herbal pipes. Children under 6 are not permitted at any production.
Please be Advised:
Astoria: Part One is a limited engagement outside of the regular 2017-2018 season. Vouchers, promotional codes and coupons are not accepted for this production.
Resource Guide:
Download resource guide (PDF)
A Family History Unfolds On Stage
In 1811, Alexander McKay and his son Thomas arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River aboard the Tonquin ship as members of the Pacific Fur Company. 206 years later, in 2017, Alexander’s great-great-great-great-grandson, Bob Nelson, settled into a seat at The Armory to watch Astoria: Part One.
Current & Upcoming
Scansion: Breaking Down Shakespeare's Words with Lauren Hanover
Back by popular demand! From discussing iambic pentameter to considering the archetypes and structures of Shakespeare’s plays, this workshop is ideal for Shakespeare fans and theater makers interested in learning the primary tools for diving deeply into his work.
Autobiographic Devising For Solo Performance with Katherine Murphy Lewis
This two-day workshop for women and female-identifying participants uses physical exploration, research, writing, construction, and editing to develop new solo material and a solid tool box to support the creation and production of future artistic visions. Ideal for theater makers and performers who want to reclaim agency over their creative lives — and anyone else who has a story to tell!
Public Art: Daren Todd Mural Project Installation
If you're in the neighborhood, please come by The Armory (exterior, on our Tenth Street doors) between now and July to view this mural installation by multi-disciplinary artist Daren Todd, as part of an ongoing mural series with Portland artists.
Portland Center Stage at The Armory is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
Show Sponsors
2017-2018 Season Supporting Sponsors
