Pre-show music with Portland Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers
Join us for a pre-show music performance with the Portland Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers, featuring live a capella (unaccompanied) singing inspired by the multiple roles and voices presented in Macbeth. Enjoy songs from members of the strong, local Shape Note singing community located here in Oregon as they share historic songs from one of America’s oldest musical styles and social gathering activities.
Portland Sacred Harp sing among themselves and the singing occurs with whoever is present on any given day. This often includes every possible level of musical experience and ability, from trained opera singers, to people who sing in their church choir, to those who have no musical or singing experience at all. All people and voices are welcome!
Shape note singing, as a form of music, has been practiced throughout the country since its origins in
New England in the late 1700s. The shape note system was developed to help people learn to sight read music,
and even after the system lost favor in the Northeast, it continued to thrive in the American South, and has now
experienced a revival in all parts of this country and in many places abroad.
“Shape note” refers to the musical notation system you see inside the tunebook. The notes appear in four different shapes: triangle, circle, square, diamond. The idea is to make music accessible and easy to learn by adding an extra layer of information: the pitch of a note can be determined not just by which line or space it is on, but also by what the shape is. Additionally, shape notes expose the intervals between notes much more clearly.
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Acting Shakespeare: Monologues
Dive into the world of the Bard and explore the excitement of performing Shakespeare!
Pre-show Panel Discussion for Mrs. Harrison
Join us for a pre-show panel discussion for as part of BIPOC Affinity Night for Mrs. Harrison, featuring playwright R. Eric Thomas, writer and the owner of Grand Gesture Books Katherine D. Morgan, and Associate Artistic Director at Portland Center Stage Chip Miller.
An Evening with Storm Large
Join us for a very special Portland Center Stage benefit concert, featuring the legendary Storm Large.
Foundations of Improvisation
Looking to expand your knowledge and skills of improvisation? Whether you did theater in high school and want to jump back in, are looking to find creative connections with others, or are a theater professional looking to deepen your training, this course is perfect for you!
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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