Playwriting Masterclass with Philip Kan Gotanda
Theatre Diaspora Presents: Playwriting Masterclass with Philip Kan Gotanda
Philip Kan Gotanda will teach a playwriting master class as part of the Dramatists Guild Fund’s Traveling Masters Program. This prestigious national outreach program brings prominent dramatists into communities across the country to lead master classes, workshops, talkbacks, and other public events.
Philip Ken Gotanda’s plays and adovacy for the past 30 years have been instrumental in bringing stories of Asians in the United States to mainstream American theatre, as well as to Europe and Asia. The creator of one of the largest bodies of Asian American themed work, Gotanda’s plays and films are studied and performed at universities and schools across the U.S.
Challenges of Writing From a Racial and Cultural Perspective
Using the experience of writing his play After The War Blues, Kotanda will discuss his own personal views on race and culture. He'll look at how the post-World War II San Francisco setting provided a unique moment in American history of intersection between two deeply disenfranchised groups – Japanese Americans and African Americans.
He will discuss the challenges of writing from a racial and cultural point of view other than his own and writing stories that purposefully de-center the widely accepted Black and White binary to open the discussion to other minoritarian intersections.
The playwright will also show slides from two of the productions and draw from his experiences working on the American Conservatory Theater and UC-Berkeley productions.
Additional Events: MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora presents the Oregon premiere of After the War Blues by Philip Kan Gotanda, directed by Bobby Bermea and Jamie Rea at Portland State University’s Lincoln Hall June 4 & 5, 1:30pm. More information and tickets here.
Masterclass with Philip Kan Gotanda
Friday, June 3, 2016
5:30-7:00 PM
Portland Center Stage Vigeland Rehearsal Hall
128 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Price: Free!
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).
Season Superstars
Season Supporting Sponsors
