The Portland’5 Podcast is an exploration of Portland’s theatre community through the lens of its five iconic downtown venues.

Art matters. Art brings joy, inspires the mind, and unites communities. Art changes lives.

In this episode, it’s all about the history of two of the theaters we know and love. But since it is almost Halloween, we would be remiss if we did not have a few ghost stories to share.

First, we stopped at the Keller Auditorium to hear from Gage Rutherford, an Event Custodian Lead who just completed his History B.A. with a thesis focus on the Keller. He enlightened us on what the Keller (formerly known as the Civic Auditorium, and much more) has been through since its establishment in 1917.

Next, we talked with Melody Isom, an Event Custodian Utility Lead and close colleague of Gage, who had a frightful encounter with the paranormal in the Keller’s laundry room.

Heading over to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, we heard from Scott Abts, Marketing & Promotions Coordinator for Portland’5, who regaled us with tales of a ghostly broom, a box office shoot-out, and what evidence of it remains to this day.

**After listening to this episode, be sure to check out the gallery of our spooky tour below.**

Guests

Gage Rutherford, Event Custodian Lead, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Melody Isom, Event Custodian Utility Lead, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Scott Abts, Marketing & Promotions Coordinator, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

In this episode, we touch on how the nonprofit theaters in the Portland area can reach out to Portland’5 to rent their venues and artistic spaces. In addition, we will hear from three of these organizations who have utilized these opportunities. The first is the August Wilson Red Door Project, whose mission is to change racial ecology through the arts. The second is Stumptown Stages, a musical theatre company who has presented fully-staged professional musicals for Portland audiences. This season, they are kicking it off with West Side Story. The third testimony comes from Oregon Children’s Theatre, who believe that all children, families, and communities can learn and grow through theater and the arts. Their season begins with Me…Jane, about the dreams and adventures of a young Jane Goodall.

Guests

Andrea Abbott, Booking & Sales Coordinator, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Kevin Jones, Co-founder, Artistic Director, CEO, August Wilson Red Door Project

Kirk Mouser, Producing Artistic Director, Stumptown Stages

Kay Spielman, Business Analyst, Oregon Children’s Theatre

After listening to this episode, you can view the full The August Wilson Red Door Project season here.

Stumptown Stages season here.

Oregon Children’s Theatre season here.

Host: Rebecca Webb, Co-Founder, Portland Radio Project

~ Support comes from Portland’5, which provides its five iconic downtown theatres to local and national arts, music, dance, and education performances. For more, visit portland5.com~

The Portland'5 Podcast is an exploration of Portland's theatre community through the lens of its five iconic downtown venues. Art matters. Art brings joy, inspires the mind, and unites communities. Art changes lives.

Portland'5 has become a national leader in keeping art and culture thriving; and in this episode, Heather Wilton joins us once again to touch on what is in store for audiences this season. We will also hear an interview with Trey McLaughlin about his musical inspirations and the experience of working with a Grammy-winner.

As if this could not get more exciting, we had the pleasure of interviewing venerated journalist and news anchor of multiple generations, Dan Rather, who is coming to Portland to discuss his collection of essays, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism. Tune in to hear Rather's insights on Portland's clash between Antifa and right-wing demonstrators, as well as a stroll down the memory lane that is his 60-plus-year career. In addition, Rather will state what he truly believes unites us as a nation.

The Portland’5 Podcast is an exploration of Portland’s theatre community through the lens of its five iconic downtown venues. Art matters. Art brings joy, inspires the mind, and unites communities. Art changes lives.

In this episode, we talk all about select Education & Community Engagement events that Portland’5 has to offer for their upcoming season. We will hear from Randi Freitas, choreographer of the Hip Hop Nutcracker, a remixed and re-imagined version of the classic we all know and love; and Shannon Wild, a wildlife photographer and conservationist who will be coming to Portland as a part of National Geographic Live to present her documentary Pursuit of the Black Panther.

In addition, we will also hear from two individuals who have sincerely benefited from these events. Imani Burress, who is now the Education and Community Engagement Coordinator for Portland’5; and Zaria Williams, a student at Central Washington University who attended one of the Education performances of Black Violin, and now studies Music Education and interns for Portland’5.

Guests

Randi Freitas, Choreographer, The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Shannon Wild, Wildlife Photographer, Cinematographer, Conservationist

Imani Burress, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

Zaria Williams, Central Washington University Student, Intern, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

After listening to this episode, you can view the full Education Program Season here.

Host:

Rebecca Webb, Co-Founder, Portland Radio Project

Check the newest addition to the PRP Podcast Co-Op!

The Portland’5 Podcast is an exploration of Portland’s theatre community through the lens of its five iconic downtown venues. Art matters. Art brings joy, inspires the mind, and unites communities. Art changes lives.

It is all about Music on Main in this premier episode. Find out what Portland’5 has in store with this free outdoor concert series, held Wednesdays from 5-7 PM during the months of July and August in downtown Portland. It is located on Main Street, as the name suggests, between Broadway and Park – next to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, one of the iconic theaters under the Portland’5 umbrella.

Heather Wilton, Director of Programming and Booking for Portland’5 came up with the idea for the festival, which is now in its 14th season. She and Tiffany Cooper, the Assistant Director of Programming and Booking, tell us all about how it began, and the artists and performers to look forward to this season.

We will also hear interviews from multi-ethnic award-winning Latin-pop singing sensation (and 10-time Austin Music Award winner) Gina Chavez; and Michael Galen, percussionist and founder of the local Brazilian band POPGoji. Both of these artists are featured prominently in the lineup of Music on Main.

Robert Parish spoke with DeLanna Studi, the only woman in this 16- actor play. She portrays Marie Dorian in the story of a journey in the 19th century, to the West Coast, creating the first settlement. Her next project And So We Walked, written and performed by DeLanna, details her and her father’s journey following their family’s footsteps along the Trail of Tears. She is the chair of the SAG-AFTRA National Native American Committee .

Portland's Playlist with Ryan Aiello from Ill Lucid Onset. by Portland Radio Project

Portland's Playlist with Ryan Aiello from Ill Lucid Onset. by Portland Radio Project

Portland's Playlist with Ryan Aiello from Ill Lucid Onset. by Portland Radio Project

Portland's Playlist with Kevin Selfe by Portland Radio Project