"The Color Purple" Perspective Series
Please join us for a series of 30-minute post-show discussions following select Sunday matinee performances of The Color Purple. Hear and share personal reactions and thoughts inspired by the play, filtered through the perspectives of local musicians, leaders, health workers, historians and community leaders. Join us and discover how The Color Purple connects directly to our community. All speakers identified and discussions moderated by Lenanne Sylvester.
Immediately following select Sunday matinee performances
Perspective series on The Color Purple
September 23 – Norman Sylvester & Mel Brown
September 30 – Cyreena Boston-Ashby & Antoinette Edwards
October 7 – Margaret Carter & Carmen Sylvester
About The Speakers
 | Cyreena Boston-Ashby
With deep experience in the issues facing Oregon’s diverse communities, Cyreena has worked on social determinants of health including affordable housing, transportation and criminal justice. She lends much of her personal time to political issues involving women and people of color running for office, LGBTQ equity, and reproductive justice, and has served on several boards of directors, including the Urban League of Portland and the Basic Rights Oregon. |
 | Antoinette Edwards Antoinette Edwards has spent most of her lifetime engaged in community activism. She is a tireless, passionate activist who has spent over 30 years reaching out to the most vulnerable populations in our community, providing leadership, policy development, service provisions and advocacy for children and families of North and Northeast Portland. Antoinette currently serves as the Director of the Office of Youth Violence Prevention for the City of Portland with Mayor Charlie Hales’ staff. |
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!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
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!
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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