NEWS OF THEATER, FILM & DANCE - past and present (submit to: theaterarts@pdx.edu)
11/14/09 Lorraine Bahr (faculty in Acting) directs "Voices of Our Elders" produced by the Well Arts Institute and performing Nov. 14-15 at Olympic Mills Commerce Center. The cast includes John Morrison AEA (70's MA). www.wellarts.org
11/2/09 Mary Kadderly (80's) continues to perform in the Portland area, including Friday, Nov. 6 at the Heathman Hotel. For more information, see www.marykadderly.com and/or www.myspace.com/marykadderl
10/2/09 36th NW Film & Video Festival - Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 2 PM - A TRIBUTE TO TOM TAYLOR. Tom Taylor, born in Butte, Montana, on December 4, 1927, died this year on St. Patrick’s Day. Tom was an inspiration and guide to many in the late 1960s and ’70s who imagined that telling stories with moving images might be a way to spend a life, and a way to change the world. Tom arrived in Portland in 1965 from southern California to start the Center for the Moving Image at Portland State University with his mentor, friend, and former professor at USC, Andries Deinum. Together, they incubated and nurtured a community of film and video artists who gained world renown. They also set the stage for the establishment of the Northwest Film Center in 1971. Tom’s integrity, patience, commitment to social justice, and insistence on craftsmanship continue to remind us of the importance of quality media to the health of democracy. Today we celebrate Tom with a screening of a number of his films, including: THE POTTER (1956)—A simple, elegantly crafted, beautifully photographed first film about the art, the processes, and the pleasures of being a potter. (12 mins.) CAPRICE WILL BECOME THE RULE (1969)— Made by Tom and his students, CAPRICE is a delightful and chaotic piece shot during rehearsals for the PSU Group for New Music’s “Beulahland Rag.” (13 mins.) THE SEVENTH DAY (1970)—A behind-the-scenes look at student protests at Portland State against the killings at Kent State and the U.S. bombing of Cambodia. (29 mins.) BECOMING (1973)—A sponsored film produced for the Women’s Division of Continuing Education at PSU that explores the pressures on women to find meaningful lives in a conformist culture. (24 mins.) IN THIS VERY ROOM (1993)—Produced by the Senior Community Video Project, a community based non-profit Tom founded, IN THIS VERY ROOM offers a poignant look at a project that creatively helps seniors suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. (13 mins.)
9/20/09 Sara Accuardi (00's) recently received her MFA in Writing from Northwestern University, and finished an internship at Chicago's Raven Theater, where she worked in the literary office.
9/15/09 Brian Keith (90's) is Technical Director at Tears of Joy Theatre Company, PCPA.
9/8/09 Lorraine Bahr (faculty in Acting) is associated with two productions in Portland Playhouse's 2009-2010 season. She is performing in "Bingo With the Indians" playing Nov 20 - Dec 13, and directing "Willow Jade" playing Jan 22 - 31. www.portlandplayhouse.org
9/7/09 Devon Allen, (faculty in Acting) is appearing in the OurShoesAreRed production of Howard Barker's "Ursula" at IFCC, Sept 11 - Oct 3. Also appearing is Sarah McGregor (00's GR) and lighting design is by Peter West (70's). www.ifccarts.org
8/28/09 Cassie Hohn (90's) reports "I have lived in New York for over 9 years Managing a theater on 42nd Street called The Duke, and performing as a singer around the city. Having produced a few theatrical productions I took a stab at independent documentary film and the result of this is the award winning documentary film The Promise of New York." The film made it's Oregon Premiere in Auguest at the Salem Cinema with all proceeds going to benefit the Salem Film Festival. www.thepromiseofnewyork.com
8/9/09 Joe Gillie (80's GR) is executive director of Old School Square Cultural Arts Center in Delray Beach, FL. For more about Joe, see: www.sallyjling.com/articles/magazines/profile-joe-gillie/.
8/5/09 TONIGHT and every Wednesday in August at COHO --Original Plays by Valory J. Lawrence (90's GR) 10 pm - sliding scale $5-1,000,000! 2257 NW Raleigh!
7/30/09 Matthew Pavik (TA Senior) is appearing as Fallstaff in the Portland Actors Ensemble production of "Henry IV, Part 1" for Shakespeare in the Park, August 1 through September 7. www.portlandactors.com/
7/15/09 Amanda Jensen Alsman (00's) and Theater Arts major Alex Fuchs, are appearing in "Taking Steps" at Clackamas Rep, July 1-26. www.clackamasrep.org
7/10/09 Sean Kennedy (80's) has worked locally in film/tv for over 20 years as Art Director, Set Decorator, Set Buyer and Prop Master. He recently completed work on "The Crowley Project."
7/6/09 Will Goblirsch (00's GR) will be appearing as Romeo in "R & J" at Bag & Baggage Productions, Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza, Hillsboro, July 17 - August 2 @ 7:30.
6/8/09 Carolyn Gage (80's aka Seidman) is an accomplished playwright and touring performer, and will be in the Portland area in October for a booking on the 16th at Pacific University. She writes, "I have deep and fond memories of my years at PSU ..." In May 2009, Carolyn won the top LGBT book award in the US, the Lambda Literary Award, for her most recent collection of plays. Her web address is www.carolyngage.com.
6/2/09 Theater Arts at the 2009 Drammys: Valerie Stevens (90's) for Actress in a lead role, "Fabuloso" at Third Rail, and Peter West (70's) for Lighting design, "El Grito del Bronx" at Miracle Theatre.
5/11/09 Schuyler Schmid (00's) is appearing in "Three Sisters" at Artists Rep, May 5 - June 14.
5/8/09 Emily (Sahler) Beleele (80's) is appearing in "Into the Woods" at Lakewood Theatre Company, May 8 - June 14.
5/4/09 Lorraine Bahr (faculty in Acting) is appearing in "Live Nude Fear!" May 7-23, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Tickets: 503-205-0715.
5/4/09 Valerie Stevens (90's) is appearing in "Fabuloso" at Third Rail Repertory May 8th-31st.
5/1/09 Gene Dent (70's) is a professional lighting designer and President/CEO of STUDIO CONCEPTS www.studioconcepts.com.
5/1/09 Cochise Anderson (80's) accomplished actor (SAG/AEA/AFTRA) and musician, has worked as a Native American cultural arts educator for the past eighteen years throughout the country. His website is www.Cochise_Okcha-a.com.
5/1/09 Currently staff members at the Northest Children's Theatre are Melody Bridges (90's), Development Director, Roger Monroe (90's), Company Stage Manager, Paul Brown (90's), Technical Director, and Wendy Reznicsek (00's), Production Manager.
5/1/09 Teri Mathern (80's and faculty in Dance) is Artistic Director with Mary Oslund of Conduit Dance Inc.
5/1/09 Sandra Mathern-Smith (80's) is an Associate Professor of Dance at Denison University.
4/24/09 The short "Florida" by Jeffrey Richardson (Film major) will screen as part of the PDX Film Fest's Shorts Program #2 "Friends and Neighbors: New Videos by Portland Artists" on Saturday, May 9, 2009 @ 1:00 PM at the Clinton Street Theater.
4/24/09 In Memoriam. Thomas T. Taylor III, 1927-2009, Tom Taylor was a faculty member of the Center of the Moving Image, the original Film program at Portland State University, which graduated a number of alumni who have gone on to be distinguished professionals in the industry.
4/20/09 Theater Arts congratulates 2009 KC/ACTF Irene Ryan Acting Award Nominees: Sarah McGregor and B. Fife Ririe for "Minutes from the Blue Route"
4/20/09 Selective admission starting Fall 2009 For many years, the department has been increasing its commitment to excellence by raising the academic standards of our incoming students. Students will formally apply to our programs, either Theater Arts, Film or Dance, after completing 2 years of lower division core courses and other appropriate coursework. We have set our admission standards at a minimum GPA of 2.33 GPA.
4/17/09 John Duncan (01 GR) is currently appearing as George in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" with Twilight Theatre Co at Triangle Theater.
4/9/09 Blitzen Trapper (http://blitzentrapper.net/) including drummer Brian Koch (00's) is featured on the cover of today's A&E, The Oregonian.
4/8/09 Naomi Fast (00's GR) was recently hired by PATA as their new Communications Coordinator.
4/2/09 Lorraine Bahr (faculty in Acting) is currently appearing in "Bobrauchenbergamerica" at Portland Playhouse, April 2-26.
4/1/09 Scott Parker (70's GR and faculty in Acting) is currently appearing in "A Flea in Her Ear" at Lakewood Theater Company.
3/20/09 Theater Arts congratulates 2009 KC/ACTF Irene Ryan Acting Award Nominees: Anneke Wisner and Noelle Eaton for "Electra"
1/25/09 Theater Arts congratulates 2009 KC/ACTF Irene Ryan Acting Award Nominees: Sarah McGregor and William Goblirsch for "Burn This"
1/9/09 Stewart Lessel (80's) continues to teach English in Japan. (slessel@hotmail.com) He wrote on 4/20/09, "I am currently writing a play, a drama for a contest held by the BBC Worldservice which offers a prize for the best one. I went to the British Council in Tokyo and received an application. Every year the BBC presents radio dramas on shortwave and the internet. I still play chess as a tournament player and i won first place last January."
1/5/09 M. Thomas Cooper's (TA major) "Tongue, Tied and Other Short Plays" (ISBN: 9780573663680) was recently published by Samuel French, Inc. "Tongue, Tied" was included in the 2008 Humana Festival of New American Plays. His short play "The Plaid Man," which is included in the Samuel French collection, is a finalist for the 2009 Heideman Award. Also, his first novel, 42 (ISBN: 9781932010244) was published in July by Ooligan Press. For more information you can visit www.ooliganpress.pdx.edu/42.html. Both books are available at Powells or Amazon.com.
Theater Arts congratulates 2008 KC/ACTF Irene Ryan Acting Award Nominees:
Clara Weishahn, Carrie Emrich and Kevin Crowe for "The Triumph of Love"
Celia Adams and Skye Champagne for "Savage in Limbo"
Chelsie Kinney and Darren Merrit for "Haroun and the Sea of Stories"
Jackie Kronyn and Corinna Van Liew for "Dancing at Lughnasa"
Guest Residency Scheduled in Documentary Film Production for Winter/Spring 2009 with Steve Amen (80's)
12/1/08 Melik Malkasian (80's) can be seen in the title role of THE AUTEUR (2008) at Cinema 21, playing Dec. 5-12. The film is directed by John Westby and filmed in Portland.
12/1/08 Michelle Kopper (80's), relocated back to Portland from NYC, offers group and private lessons in singing, acting and yoga at her studio (http://www.michellekopper.com/).
11/20/08 John Morrison (70's GR) is currently appearing as Grandpa in "You Can't Take It With You" at Lakewood Theatre Company, through 14 December. Margaret Chapman (90's GR, aka Ball) designed costumes for the production.
11/19/08 Brian Koch (00's) appeared with Blitzen Trapper (http://blitzentrapper.net/) on Conan O'Brien on Nov. 17th. Blitzen Trapper last appeared on the PSU campus in the Theater Arts production of "Lysistrata".
11/19/08 Check out Victoria Pohl (90's GR aka Parker) and Kelly Brooks (70's) on you tube:
www.metacafe.com/watch/588668/portland_valley_girls_great_debate/
11/19/08 Chelsie Kinney, TA major, appeared as Elma in "Bus Stop" in August at Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre. In March, she designed costumes for the Staged! production of "Les Miserables."
11/6/08 Erin Way (00's) appeared in ABC's Private Practice ("Medical Records Moment" Season 2, Episode 2), on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - as a pregnant dying teenager. Check it out on the Web!
11/1/08 Bruce Abbott (70's) is currently in production on HOUSE OF RE-ANIMATOR with William H. Macy, with release scheduled 2010.
11/1/08 Pam Roylance (70's) can be seen on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in MURDER SHE WROTE "Dead to Rights" (#9.18) on the Hallmark Channel.
10/20/08 Jennifer Rowe (00's) is currently appearing in "Speech and Debate" at Artists Repertory Theatre.
10/6/08 Another JAZZ SINGING WORKSHOP with Mary Kadderly ('80's) and the great NANCY KING: Five Mondays October 27 through November 24, 2008. Hours: 7:00-9:30 PM ish For more information, see
www.marykadderly.com and/or www.myspace.com/marykadderly
10/1/08 Jim Eikrem (80's) is Instructor of Theatre at Central Michigan University.
10/1/08 Jack Sowle (70's) is Director, Sales at Alaska Distributers Company (wine & spirits) in Seattle.
9/9/08: PLEASE VISIT US AT OUR 2-YR INTERIM HOME at 1600 SW 4TH, Suite 110
9/1/08 Joanna Goff (70's) heads the Theater program at Everett Community College.
9/1/08 Brad Duffy (80's GR) heads the Theater program at Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen, WA.
8/1/08 Jeanne Arnold (80's) is Assoc. Professor of Theater at American University in Cairo.
8/1/08 E. J. Westlake (90's) is Asst. Professor of Theater (Theater Studies) at U. Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has also taught at Auburn and Bowling Green State.
7/4/08 Graduate student William Goblirsch is currently appearing in "Julius Caesar" presented by Portland Actors Ensemble's Shakespeare-in-the-Parks.
7/2/08 Graduate student Dennis Kelly, currently appearing in "See How They Run" for Clackamas Rep (through July 27), has been selected as an Acting Intern for the 2008-09 Season at the Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee, WI.
6/30/08 TAD ALUM'S FILM SCREENING. Ian Berry's screening of his film Don't Break Easy is this Saturday, July 5 at 11:30pm at Cinema 21 http://www.cinema21.com/ (It's a $5 suggested donation.) A group of ALUMNI FRIENDS are planning to meet around 9:30pm at the North 45 bar for a celebratory drink before hand. Please feel free to join us! And feel free to dress up!
6/9/08 Victoria Pohl (90's GR) received the 2008 Leslie O. Fulton Fellowship from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild at the 2008 Drammy Awards.
5/23/08 Merril Lynn Taylor (80's GR) is directing "See How They Run" for Clackamas Repertory Theatre, playing 7/10-27, 2008. Appearing in the production is graduate student Dennis Kelly.
5/20/08 Rollie Carlson, major in Theater Arts, is appearing in "The History Boys" at Artists Rep, playing May 1 through June 8, 2008.
5/12/08 The premiere of "The Labyrinth of Desire" by Caridad Svich plays May 9-31, 2008 at the Milagro Theatre. The play is directed byDevon Allen, acting faulty member, with PSU Theater Arts majors Clara Weishahn, Joshua Spencer, Hans Eleveld, Jennifer Rowe, Alex Fuchs, and Dennis Kelly in leading roles.
PSU film class to host award-winning director, Allison Anders.
5/21/08 Denise Damico (90's) recently completed her first season as Costume Shop Manager at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Previously, she worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for almost 10 years as Assistant to the Costume Designer.
4/25/08 Valerie Stevens ('90s) is appearing in "Nobody Here But Us Chickens" at Third Rail Rep at the IFCC, April 25 - May 24. Appearing also in the production is Michael O'Connell, acting and voice faculty member.
3/31/08 Theater Arts student's play at Humana Festival.
3/08/08 Jason Coffey ('90s) appeared in the world premier of "Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera" at the World Trade Center, 2/21 - 3/8, 2008.
2/14/08 The Terence Knox website (80's aka Terry Davis) is www.terenceknox.com
1/1/08 Abra Flores Paudler (80's) is head of the Theater Department at Oxnard College.
Theater Arts congratulates 2007 Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting Award Nominees:
October - William Goblirsch and Dennis Kelly for "The Rope"
December - Alex Fuchs and Dennis Kelly for "Glengarry Glen Ross"
12/15/07 Amy Fowkes ('90s GR) directed in 2006-07 at the Florence International Theatre Company (FITC) Firenze, Italia
12/15/07 Blythe Urutia (90's) passed the Oregon Bar Exam in July 2007.
6/15/07 Barbara Moshofsky ('70s) is Newsletter Editor/Graphic Designer with Norris & Stevens Inc.
2/25/07 Jim Davis ('80s) appeared with Alan Nause and William Hurt in "Vanya" (adapted from Chekhov) at Artists Rep, 1/16 - 2/25, 2007. The production was directed by Beth Harper (GR 80's).
1/15/07 Lana Veenker ('90s) is principal of Lana Veenker Casting, Portland, OR
1/15/07 Valerie Stevens ('90s) is a founding company member of Third Rail Rep at the IFCC. See www.thirdrailrep.org.
1/15/07 Michelle Maida ('90s) is a principal broker with John Scott Realty.
1/15/07 Danielle Curran ('00's) is a media buyer for Bradshaw Advertising, a Portland-based advertising agency. She is married to Paul Rector, who was a fellow theater arts student at PSU, and they have two children.