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“The Laramie Project”: Play is ‘Challenging, Raw, Emotional Material’

On Saturday, November 4, 2017, the Camas High School Theatre group performed “The Laramie Project”, I attended the matinee at 2:00 pm.

There are many specific reasons that individuals join together to share in a common interaction with the arts. Be it music, painting, sculpture, film, photography, dance, theatre or other forms. Generally, the reason is the same, we expect the art to affect us emotionally. Sometimes the emotion is joy, perhaps happiness, or simply to be entertained through humor or wit. The best art tells a story about real or fictional characters, their motivations, their joys and pains, to be revealed through the senses—sound, light, color, speech, smell, taste, or form.

In the case of exceptional art, that story aspires to more than just someone else’s journey discovered through an artist’s medium. Art can attain a higher level, where if the subject is willing, the story unfolds around you in such a compelling narrative that the story is no longer a foreign entity, it enters you and demands that you become part of it. “The Laramie Project” is such an opportunity. If you let it in, you become part of the story. If you let it in, and apply introspection to the experience, you will learn about yourself. In you let it in, and act on what you learned about yourself, it will change you.

Laramie

Actor Forest Myers-Power.

“The Laramie Project” is challenging, raw, emotional material. With data, quotes, and experiences gathered over significant amount of time through observation, interview, and research. The material is then presented in a narrative that depicts just not the journey of those directly involved in Laramie and surrounding locations, but the journey of the playwrights themselves as they interact directly with the setting in space and time. Slowly building the pieces of the puzzle, and then putting those pieces into the larger tapestry of the events surrounding the life and death of Matthew Shepard.

Occasional reexamination of one’s beliefs, prejudices, and biases is a critical component to human progression. Art is often the catalyst allowing one to sort through many attributes of the human condition in rapid succession. Hate, love, guilt, passion, judgement, compassion, anger, disgust, fear, charity, hope, and forgiveness may all run their course through you in the span of just a few hours’ time.

While there are moments of humor, this is not easy or light material. Your experience with it will vary greatly dependent on your willingness to engage it and especially to honestly engage yourself. If you let it in, you will leave with a greater desire for compassion and tolerance. Even towards those things which you don’t believe and for people and cultures that you don’t understand. If we are to heal our world, our nation, our community, even our families—it will take a little more of such desire.

There will be three more showings: This Friday at 7; Saturday matinee at 2, and a final showing this Saturday at 7 pm — all at Camas Theatre (at Camas High School).

To learn more, visit www.chs.camas.wednet.edu

— by Jon Pugmire

“The Laramie Project” Image Gallery

Photos by Jon Pugmire

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Events: Clark College Jazz Band Fall Concert Features Prairie HS

VANCOUVER, WA.  The Clark College Jazz Ensemble performs their Fall Concert on Friday, November 17, with special guests, the Prairie High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Ryan Messing.  The concert begins 7:00 p.m., in the Gaiser Student Center on the Clark College Campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.  The concert is free to the public.

“Last year the Prairie Jazz Band received numerous outstanding musician and soloist awards throughout the area jazz festivals, most notably winning the AAA division at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival ,” says Richard Inouye, Clark’s Director of Bands. “We are extremely excited to have them as our guests this year, so we hope folks can come and listen to the swingin’ big band jazz our local students are creating!”

For complete information about all the Clark College Music Department concerts including the orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts.

About the Clark College Music Department

Clark College offers an Associate in Music DTA/MRP degree with courses in music theory/ear training, instrumental and vocal performance training, and ensemble experience. Classes prepare the music major for advanced studies at a four-year institution while providing the non-major with the skills and background to fully enjoy music as a cultural pursuit. Ensembles on campus include three choral groups, orchestra, concert band, and jazz ensemble. Three tenured and several adjunct faculty, provide professional instruction to the 500+ students that pass through Beacock Music Hall each year.

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Camas High School Drama Students Take On “The Laramie Project”

Camas Theatre students are in the middle of daily rehearsals for “The Laramie Project,” which director Sean Kelly says is the “most in-depth play we’ve ever produced here.”

The play, written by Moises Kaufman, and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project, is about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student, Matthew Shepard, in Laramie, Wyoming. The three-act play is based on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, interviewer journal entries, and published news reports.

The cast of 19, each of whom takes on multiple characters, spends their afternoons rehearsing their lines, and preparing themselves for a play that is causing most of them to look deep into human nature and behavior. We spent 90 minutes with the actors as they listened closely to instruction, and then had their own in-depth discussion about what causes people to behave badly.

“The play is about how people can rationalize, in general,” says Kelly. “The students are taking on some really deep material. It’s stretching them.”

Armita Aziza, who plays Zubaida Ula, among other characters, says the play addressed how the incident affected the town.

“Our characters address prejudice, hatred, and community,” she says.

Omar Shafiuzzaman is playing four characters: Dennis Shepard (Matthew’s father), police detective, Rob Debree, a news reporter, and playwright, Moises Kaufman.

“We’re all on stage for the whole show,” says Shafiuzzaman. “It’s very challenging to switch between these characters, and we’re learning a lot.”

Skylar Derthick plays Jeddidiah Schultz, Dr. Castaway (who operates on Matthew), and Reverend Fred Phelps, of the Westboro Baptist Church, who lead a protest at Shepard’s funeral.

“It’s tough to play all these roles,” says Derthick, who appreciates the work going into this production.

Kelly encourages the local community to turn out for their play, and welcomes a broader discussion about prejudices and attitudes. Following the play, there will be an open question-and-answer period. And, it should be known the play does contain profanity, as it reflects on real-life accounts and interviews.

“It’s easy to hate an idea,” says Kelly. “But, it’s a lot harder to hate a person once you get to know them.”

The Laramie Project Play Dates

  • November 3 @ 7 pm
  • November 4 @ 2 pm (matinee) and 7 pm
  • November 10 @ 7 pm
  • November 11 @ 2 pm (matinee) and 7 pm

Location: Camas High School Theatre

To learn more, visit www.chs.camas.wednet.edu

Photo Gallery

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Images: “Sillyheart” Play Focuses on Joy During Turmoil

Camas Theatre premiered “Sillyheart” Wednesday night in conjunction with Compass Oncology and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a fundraiser to help cure cancer.

Before the touching play began, the audience heard from Brianna Barrett, who was named “Portland’s Best Storyteller” by Willamette Weekly. She discussed being a cancer survivor and how she documented her cancer battle. Dr. Kathryn Kolibaba, who practices hematology/medical oncology at Compass Oncology in Vancouver, WA, talked about how everyday heroes find ways to raise and apply needed cancer research funds. Megan McDonald talked about her daughter’s ongoing fight with leukemia, and Janelle Hayden also shared her family’s story of how they battle the disease.

Featuring a talented youth cast, “Sillyheart” is a one-act play where tragedy meets fantasy, and myth meets reality.

From the playbook: “The fairy tale world winds itself around the real drama of one little girl’s battle with cancer and her family’s anguish. As they struggle to cope with her prognosis and desperate treatment, the fairy tale characters from the little girl’s book play out in their own drama. Will an evil sorceress and her dark creatures succeed in pulling Princess Caroline (played nicely by Genesis Martinez — on this first night) away from her beloved family and prince? Will little Cora’s experimental cancer treatment save her?”

Sillyheart

Actors Wyatt Hodgson and Genesis Martinez in the opening scene of “Sillyheart.”

“In our imaginations, the villain is always slain, the good win out, and even happily ever after is truly possible. Our fantasies, like so many blankets, can keep us warm in time when the real world is simply too dark, cold and cruel to bear. At the end we are reminded it’s not just children who need fairy tales.”

The play is written by Billie W. Boone, and directed by Sean Kelly. The stage manager is Lily Haddan; costumes and makeup and by Carol Babilon. The event is coordinated by Kylee Shafiuzzaman.

To learn more, visit chs.camas.wednet.edu

Photo Gallery, by Jon Pugmire

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Songs for Autumn, A Spotify Playlist by Veronica Beth Whitney

Regardless of what season you claim your favorite to be, it is hard to deny the special kind of wonderland that the Pacific Northwest becomes once autumn kicks itself into gear. I may personally be biased because October is my favorite month – but to me, there are few things lovelier than driving the backroads on a chilly autumn day, encapsulated by trees that have clapped their hands and littered the ground with gold and maroon leaves. I’m a sucker for a sunny pumpkin patch outing, a warm cup of apple cider, divine-smelling candles, and every other fall cliché there is out there. I also find autumn to be a time where the right kind of music can be so poignant and fit a mood like your favorite chilly-weather sweater. This song list includes tunes that are prone to fit any weather that this glorious season throws at us, and the moods that shift along with it. So, grab your pumpkin spice-flavored drink and enjoy this autumn playlist!

“Oh the bitter winds are coming in
And I’m already missing the summer
Stockholm’s cold but I’ve been told
I was born to endure this kind of weather…”

The opening lyrics to “Emmylou” by First Aid Kit go. A band of two sisters from Stockholm, Sweden, I believe First Aid Kit are one of the greatest folk groups of our modern day. One of the first concerts I ever attended was a show of theirs on their Lion’s Roar tour, and it remains one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever seen.

“…But when the leaves fell on the ground
And bully winds came around pushed them face down in the snow
He got the urge for going and I had to let him go
He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown

And summertime was falling down and winter was closing in…”

 

Joni Mitchells sings in “Urge For Going.” Definitely a more melancholy song for when autumn starts drawing to a close and the weather grows colder – especially for the people who annually dread to see the warm weather disappear for a while. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful tune and one of my favorites of Joni’s.

Included also are a couple of live acoustic versions of songs – “New Test Leper” by R.E.M., and “Kooks” by David Bowie – a song featured on Hunky Dory that Bowie had written for his newborn son, Zowie (which famous English disc jockey, John Peel, discusses briefly at the end of the 1971 recording).

Finally, this playlist also features upbeat tunes that are perfect for those beloved sunny autumn day drives – including “Oh, Mojave” by The Ruby Suns, a dreamy cover of John Lennon’s “#9 Dream” by José González (featured on the soundtrack for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – one of the better movies I’ve seen in the past few years), and “Team Zissou” by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge from The Life Aquatic soundtrack – another fantastic film.

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Camas Theatre Prepares For “Sillyheart” Premiere

Camas, WA — In collaboration with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Compass Oncology, the award-winning Camas High School Theater Department is preparing for their premiere of “Sillyheart,” which is a 40-minute play about a young person’s cancer journey.

“It’s a play about an 8-year-old girl with leukemia that’s been in remission, but then the cancer becomes more aggressive,” says the play’s director, Sean Kelly. “The play is about how she maintains hope through her connections to a fairy tale called ‘Sillyheart.'”

Kelly explains it’s about how this princess uses courage and good will to deal with this terrible time. “It’s how the family stays afloat,” says Kelly.

All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night walk to help support research for blood cancers.

The Camas Theatre is located at Camas High School Auditorium, 26900 SE 15th Street — South Entrance, Camas, WA

House opens at 6:30 pm, Curtain at 7:30 pm
$10 Suggested Donation
http://tinyurl.com/LTNsillyheart

View Flyer

Upcoming Sillyheart Occurrences:

  • Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 6:30pm
  • Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 6:30pm
Sillyheart

CHS Theatre actor signatures on the stage wall.

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Dayley Dance Academy Prepares for “Moving Art Show”

The Dayley Dance Academy NW is performing The Moving Art Show on October 14th as the organization’s fundraiser. These funds are needed immediately to produce upcoming projects, cover costs for the performance company and to admit hardship students for participation in the current dance season. The Moving Art Show is one night only on October 14, at 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8 pm. The show will be held at Dayley Dance Academy NW on 1700 Main Street Washougal.

Audience members will move room to room to view and participate in the different exhibits, some of which are a dancer performance with a unique close up viewing experience, a walk through art gallery of the DDANW students in inspirational and creative dance photos, ballroom dance lessons, and local food, drinks, and desserts. Tickets are $25 per person.

“After nearly a decade of running a small dance studio and giving scholarships when we could, we have received many moving letters, but one stands out from the others,” said owner, Sarah Dayley.  “Upon graduation from high school, a young man wrote an impactful letter highlighting the story of how our dance studio saved him from suicide.  Mentioned were a group of instructors and peers who encouraged his artistry and gave purpose to this young man inside the refuge that has been our dance family.  This is powerful. Saving this one life in the way that we did will save countless others.”Dayley adds: “Inspired to reach out to our community on a much larger scale, we are now Dayley Dance Academy NW (DDANW), a brand-new non-profit performing arts school along the Columbia River’s Gateway to the Gorge in Washougal.”

Community Benefits

DDANW provides professional training and unique performance opportunities to youth and adults in our community, no matter their socio-economic backgrounds. Offering subsidized tuition, special education grants, and community outreach classes will expose a broader range of students in our local area to the movement arts as an alternative to unproductive activities. The academy believes that this will result in the development of emerging new artists, innovative choreographers and instructors of the future.

Benefits for Students and Instructors

DDANW continually works to provide and maintain proper studio space for their instructors and students to not only teach, learn, and cultivate safe spaces, but to create new and innovative works of art. Promoting healthy lifestyles and exposing their dancers to prestigious instructors from around the nation will give their students new vision and world perspectives that encourage growth and build character while increasing their ability to network with other artists on professional levels in the industry.

Funds raised will be used to benefit DDANW grant recipients as well as the academy’s very own Illumination Youth Dance Company for producing performances and exposure to advanced instruction and choreographers that are prominent in the performing arts community around the globe.  Funds are needed immediately to produce projects, cover immediate costs for the performance company and to admit hardship students for participation in current dance season.So many children are wandering around after school hours not knowing what to do with their free time and getting into trouble. Exposing these children to something that is lasting and positive, regardless of their financial situation, can provide a safe haven and an addition family of support, says Dayley.  Teaching them to set goals, work hard and be their best selves will strenghten our community and improve our society.

You may also contribute funds to: https://www.gofundme.com/dayleydanceacademynw
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Disney’s ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’ Play Coming Soon

JOURNEY THEATER ARTS GROUP PRESENTS Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Youth Theater Production Runs Two Weekends – October 21 – 29, 2017 at Ridgefield High School

Travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures.  Featuring updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated motion picture, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. is a fast-paced take on the classic tale.

The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit.  Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game!

Performances are October 21 – 29, 2017 at Ridgefield High School, 2630 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield WA, 98642.   Tickets are on sale now at journeytheater.org or by calling 360.750.8550.  Pre-sale adult tickets are $12.  Youth and senior tickets are $10.   Our “family day” performance is October 21st @ 2 p.m. with all tickets $10 in advance.  Tickets for all performances will be $4 more at the door.

Public Performances

  • Saturday, October 21st @ 2:00 pm
  • Sunday, October 22nd @ 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, October 28th @ 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, October 28th @ 7:00 pm
  • Sunday, October 29th  @ 2:00 pm

About Journey Theater Arts Group

Journey is the most dynamic theater arts community in the Portland/Vancouver area, offering dozens of classes in drama, dance, voice and more, as well as producing 12 shows in four locations during the school year and a professional-level community theater musical each summer.   Journey strives for excellence, while providing a welcoming and encouraging environment where kids ages 6 to 18 and their families can build life-long skills and friendships. Journey is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization, with offices located at 1400 NE 136th Ave, Suite 201, Vancouver WA, 98684.  Contact at 360.750.8550 or www.journeytheater.org.

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Camas Author Releases Sequel to Award-winning “Lying in Judgment”

Award-winning Camas author and playwright Gary Corbin is releasing his fourth novel, Lying in Vengeance, today with accompanying release parties and signings in stores around the greater Portland and Vancouver area.

Lying in Vengeance is the sequel to Corbin’s award-winning debut novel, Lying in Judgment, from Double Diamond Publishing of Camas, WA. In Lying in Judgment, a man served on the jury of a murder trial—for the crime that he committed. Lying in Judgment was selected as “Book of the Week” by Bookworks.com in July 2016 and was the “Indie Spotlight” featured book on the UK-based Literary Lightbox in February, 2017.

In this new book, 33-year-old Portland man, Peter Robertson, must choose between two horrible options — and both involve death and revenge.

Lying in Vengeance will be officially released to bookstores today, and is also available on Amazon.com and on the author’s web page (www.garycorbinwriting.com).

Peter once fought a man on a remote forested road and left him to die. Six months later, he served on the jury that freed a wrongfully accused man—and let his own secret slip to a beautiful but manipulative fellow juror, Christine Nielsen.

Two months later, Christine wakes him in the middle of the night with a threat: kill Kyle, the man who stalks and abuses her, or have his own murderous past exposed.

Peter pretends to go along as he seeks another, less violent solution. But Kyle forces his hand, kidnapping Christine at gunpoint. Peter’s daring rescue gives him the opportunity to fulfill Christine’s request.

The next morning, Kyle turns up dead, and the police arrest his best friend Frankie, of all people. Peter knows he’s innocent, but can he prove it without directing the finger of blame at himself—for both murders?

Book Release and Signing at Vintage Books

 To help promote the book, the author will kick off a multi-stop bookstore tour at a local favorite Vintage Books, 6613 E Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver, September 16 at 1 pm. Corbin will sign books and read excerpts from his books, which will be available for sale at the event.

“Vintage Books has been amazing at finding readers for my books, and they’re incredibly supportive of local authors,” Corbin says.  “Vintage was one of the first to put my books on its shelves. It’s a great local bookstore with great selection and terrific event programming. I can’t say enough good about it.”

Since some of the characters in Lying in Vengeance obsess about beer and coffee, Corbin will share samples of his home-roasted coffee (“JavaTown,” the favorite of Peter’s scheming nemesis, Christine) and homebrew recipes with attendees. “My characters,” he says, “whether good or evil, are good Portlanders!”

 

Corbin Book Signing Events

Sep 19, 2017, 6:00 pm

Caps N Taps, Camas, WA

Lying in Vengeance UnCapped in Camas!

Beers, books, and good times at Camas’s best taproom.

 

Sep 23, 2017 11:00 am

Jan’s Paperbacks

Book signing and reading at Aloha’s best independent bookstore.

 

Sep 28, 2017 4:00 pm

The Coffee Cottage, Newberg, OR

Live music, great coffee, and Lying in Vengeance book signing in the heart of Pinot Noir country.

 

Sep 30, 2017 1:00 pm

Camas Public Library

Camas Library Local Author Coffee Klatch

Gary joins a panel of other local writers to celebrate Camas’s growing creative scene. Come ask questions of the authors and check out their books!

 

Oct 12, 2017 6:00 pm

Loowit Brewing Company, Vancouver, WA

Beer and a Book! Loowit Brewing hosts local author Gary Corbin, who will sign books and join you for one of Loowit’s excellent craft brews. Get a book and a beer for the price of just the book ($14.99)!

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Camas First Friday: Plein Air & Art Event

During the day on September 1st from 9am-4:00pm, local artists will be doing Plein Air (Open Air)painting around town. So fun to watch! Then vote for your favorite during the First Friday event from 5-8pm.

The finished plein air art pieces will be on display at the Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th, from 5-8 pm that evening. The community will vote for its favorites and “People Choice Awards” will be given. These works of art will then be auctioned off at the Dinner in White on the Columbia, a benefit for the Washougal Library Building Fund, on Saturday, September 9th at Marina Park at the Port of Camas Washougal. For artists who would like to participate, visit here for all the info: www.camasgallery.com/plein-air

Other art features, music, and activities that night are:

  • Elida Field’s “Art, Women & Wine” artists will be showcased in participating merchant locations; Meet the artists, enjoy the art, and be entered to win prizes from the merchants.  Arktana-Heidi Jo Curley; Caffe Piccolo-Grace Valentine; Cake Happy-Stephanie Rauch; Camas Antiques-Elida Field; Camas Beauty Bar & Boutique-Lara Blair; Camas Hotel Lobby-Gail McKenna & Camas Hotel Atrium-Suzanne Ferguson; Journey-Alison & Grace Benjamin; Lily Atelier-Bev Kadow; Lizzabeth A-Susan Mooney; Mill Interpretive Center-Ayn Lavagnino; Navidi’s-Jim Rodriguez; Salud!-Shelley Mincks. After party at Elida’s Art Studio! 8pm on, 735 NE 6th.
  • Hidden Bronze Bird Tour Dedication! 5pm at 4th and Cedar.Come find the thirteen bronze birds throughout downtown!The artists Georgia Gerber and Randy Hudson will be joining us for the celebration and there will also be a “Meet and Greet” with the artists from 4-5pm at Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar. Bird Maps will be given out at the dedication and then at the DCA tables in Journey, 304 NE 4th throughout the rest of the evening. Join us for the fun and to discover the flock!
  • Friends of Camas Arts Art Show in Journey
  • Live outdoor music at Mesa with Lance Kinnaird and Lauren Abraham, 228 NE 4th, from 6-9pm
  • Art shows and receptions at Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th, featuring Julie Olson and at Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar, featuring David Allen Dunlop
  • Kids’ art crafts, including The Paint Roller Mobile Paint Party with rock painting; chalk art; and the fourth annual DCA First Friday Coloring Contest with prizes (at the DCA tables in Journey)
  • Our City Cares will be on hand to talk about City-wide initiatives in Camas to combat suicide, by Journey.
  • FREE hair art and face painting at The Wild Hair, 418 NE Cedar
  • The Soap Chest: get a FREE bar of Mona Lisa soap with purchase of $25 or more, 521 NE Everett
  • The artful film The Trip to Spain at the Liberty Theatre at 6:45pm
  • Shop, dine, & have artful fun in Downtown Camas! Receive a free prize ticket for every $10 you spend in downtown.

To learn more, visit www.downtowncamas.com

 

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