Northwest Academy Students Perform Original Musical and Raise $295,000

Northwest Academy Students Perform Original Musical and Raise $295,000

Portland, OR. The Northwest Academy hosted Club Cabaret, “The Mad Hatter’s Cocktail Party” at The Nines Hotel in downtown Portland. The event raised $295,000 for academic programs and student scholarships. Supporters at the February 29th benefit included Amy Hillman, Nicholas & Megan O’Toole, Todd McCoy & Tawnya Fox. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) More than 200 guests came for the silent auction, cocktail party, an original musical performed by Northwest Academy students, and a live auction.

Students perform an original production called, “The Mad Hatter’s Cocktail Party.”

Educators say the Northwest Academy in downtown Portland strives to provide students with an enriching education consisting of developing their fine and performing arts skills, rather than implementing the arts only as a bonus to students education. Northwest Academy emphasizes the importance of the balance of academics and art fostering curiosity and creative thinking.

Mary Vinton Folberg, Chris Schuck, McKenzie Kerman, and Lauren Partington

Serena Schulz-Rodriguez, Sarah Santangelo, Chiharu Olsson, Lori & Peter Buss, James Olsson, Terence Barr, in back row: Marilyn Beach, Bronson & Marisa James

Zach Levow, Joe & Linda Rosinski, and Holly Levow

The Quest Foundation, along with a challenge match from Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, contributed to programs and scholarships for the students.

From Northwest Academy:

Mission: Northwest Academy is committed to inspiring students to discover their intellectual and artistic voices in a creative and supportive atmosphere fueled by curiosity and constructive challenge. Vision: Northwest Academy will be recognized as a center of excellence in proficiency-based education, artfully blending academic instruction and experience.  Graduates of the school will be innovative thinkers who chart their own futures and excel in a diverse global society. Core Values: Education in both academics and arts, results in a more complete and balanced individual who, while being productive, also leads an inspired and meaningful life, talented faculty, passionate about their subject areas, and the support of free and open inquiry motivates students’ interest in learning and creative thinking, student engagement, curiosity, and creative thinking expand when nurtured by accomplished and energetic faculty who promote participation and welcome debate, students thrive in an environment where both individuality and collaboration are encouraged and fostered, proficiency-based placement enhances students’ motivation and initiative while allowing a student to work through education at relatively accelerated or a more leisurely personal pace.

Artists Repertory Theatre Invites Audience Participation at “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart”

Artists Repertory Theatre Invites Audience Participation at “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart”

Portland, OR. The Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) cast of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart performs scenes in and around the audience seated at pub-style tables. Directors Luan Schooler & Dámaso Rodríguez created the unique production of David Greig’s play which is presented, with an optional dinner of pub fare, at the Tiffany Center at 14th and Morrison. (ART has temporarily moved out of its Southwest Portland home during a site redevelopment, so the company is ‘on tour.’) About the play: Prudencia (played by Amy Newman), a scholar specializing in traditional Scottish folklore, has no time for modern pop culture, and even less for her colleague Colin Syme (Eric Little). After a long night out at the pub, Prudencia becomes lost in the snowy forest, only to be rescued by the mysterious Nick (Darius Pierce). But, are Nick’s intentions as altruistic as they seem, or does he have something more nefarious in store?

Amy Newman, Eric Little, Luisa Sermol, Susannah Mars, Alicia Hueni, and Darius Pierce

Luisa Sermol

Darius Pierce as Nick

Amy Newman as Prudencia Hart

Alicia Hueni & Rachel Bentzen

The show will run from Dec 6th through January 5th 2020 in the Tiffany Center, at 1410 SW Morrison Street. Tickets begin at $60, with discounts available for students and those under 35. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 503.241.1278 or visit online at www.artistsrep.org.


From Artists Rep:
Artists Rep is Portland’s premiere mid-size regional theatre company and is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and Managing Director J.S. May. Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. ART became the 72nd member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) in 2016 and is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network (NNPN). Artists Rep’s 2019/20 season can be found here.