PHAME

The power of positive thinking will be on technicolor display this June, as PHAME’s inspiring student performers take the stage in “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka!” – PHAME’s major annual musical production, running June 23-24 at Mt. Hood Community College mainstage theatre in Gresham.

Golden Circle tickets to PHAME’s “Willy Wonka” production are on sale now, online here – and general admission tickets go on sale starting May 9th. The complete “Willy Wonka” PHAME cast and artistic team will be announced in mid-late April, as well as some exciting opportunities for the greater Portland community to find your own golden ticket through PHAME - and win some fantastical prizes…

PHAME’s production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” – lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley; adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald; based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” Roald Dahl – plays two performances only:

Saturday, June 23 – 7 pm
Sunday, June 24 – 2 pm
at Mt. Hood Community College mainstage theatre
26000 SE Stark, Gresham

Gold Circle tickets are $22-$28, and general admission tickets are $14-$19. PHAME’s 2011 musical production, “Grease,” was a sold-out event – be sure to buy your tickets today!

Day 1 of PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour!

“Awe-inspiring.” “Incredible!” “Life-affirming.” “Totally surprising and delightful.”

These are some of the words that our audience members and community partners are using to describe the power of seeing and hearing the inspiring student artists and performers of PHAME along our recently wrapped regional tour: “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour.”

Thanks to the support of more than 1,600 audience members, 48 PHAME student artists and performers, over 40 volunteers, 11 staff members and countless supporters, PHAME has successfully completed one of the most ambitious artistic and outreach projects in its 27 year history: “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” which ran March 14-22, 2012 across the Portland metropolitan region.

Along the Tour, during which PHAME logged nearly 200 miles across the Portland metro region on special VIP charter tour buses from Blue Star, PHAME gave 12 free showcase performances in communities including Beaverton, Estacada, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Vancouver, WA and neighborhoods across Portland (St. Johns, outer East Portland, Northeast Portland and inner Southeast Portland), culminating in a blowout PHAME showcase show at Portland’s historic Aladdin Theater on March 22nd, featuring collaborations with Live Wire Radio, Bureau of Standards Big Band and Portland Baroque Orchestra’s Adam LaMotte alongside PHAME’s incredible student artists and performers. Part of the show was broadcast live on KGW Newschannel 8′s “Live @ 7″ show.

“This Tour has helped to fundamentally changed hearts and minds about the incredible talent, dignity and humanity of persons with developmental disabilities,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “In the incredible media coverage of our Tour; in the Tour performances themselves; in the conversations our students have had with our incredible audiences – it’s all added up to an indelible experience for our PHAME students and families, and in powerful, personal connections forged between diverse communities. We loved being on Tour, and can’t wait to hit the road again some time in PHAME’s future!”

Along the Tour, there were some incredible moments: the packed and incredibly enthusiastic opening show for the young ladies of St. Mary’s Academy (500+ in attendance!); our opening public performance at St. Johns Community Center; PHAME students – and Estacada natives – Andy Reisbick and Ross Edwards being recognized with a proclamation honoring their talent by Estacada Mayor Becky Arnold; State Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer stopping by our East Portland Community Center showcase; performing for friends old and new at the Elsie Stuhr Center, and of course the standing ovations from our tour-ending showcase at the Aladdin Theater.

Standing ovation for PHAME at the Elsie Stuhr Center

Reviews from PHAME’s audience members and community partners along the Tour have been enthusiastic. Broadway baritone Douglas Webster – Director of Events for Merrill Gardens at Orchard Village, where PHAME performed on Day 4 of the tour – offered this praise for PHAME’s tour showcase at his venue: “You exceeded my already high expectations for a PHAME presentation. Our residents loved your show and were inspired to tears by the affirming message your students embodied. Thank you!”

Special thanks to all the supporters who made “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” possible, including: Portland 100 Fund of Equity Foundation, Regional Arts & Culture Council, Work for Art, New Seasons Market, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, Oregon Cultural Trust, Willamette Week and many generous individual donors.

For more highlights and photos from “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” visit our PHAME tour blog, online here.

A new documentary about the PHAME tour, produced by Portland’s own Runaway Mustache Productions, will debut Wednesday, August 1st at the Hollywood Theatre – save the date!

Photo ©2009 All Rights Reserved, Katharine Kimball Photography

With just one week until PHAME’s “H is for Honored Tour” launches across the Portland metropolitan region – inspiring possibility and joy in 10 communities over 8 days – PHAME is proud to announce our final roster of eight free tour public performances, occurring March 14-20, 2012.

All of the “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” showcase performances listed below – in communities including North, East and Southwest Portland; Estacada; Vancouver WA; Hillsboro and Beaverton -  feature command performances by PHAME’s student performers and artists, showcasing PHAME’s Choir, Vocal + Instrumental Combo, Acting, Dance, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Mixed Vocal Ensemble, Directing and more. All showcases below are free and open to the public.

Please join us in experiencing the possibility, hearing the heart and feeling the joy of PHAME’s honored artists and performers!

Wednesday, March 14: Tour Kick-off Party and Showcase Performance
7 pm – St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N Central

Thursday, March 15
7 pm – East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Avenue, Portland

Friday, March 16
7 pm – Estacada Junior High Auditorium, 500 NE Main Street, Estacada

Saturday, March 17
7 pm – Clark College Foster Auditorium, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver WA

Monday, March 19
2 pm – Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium, 150 E Main Street, Hillsboro
6:30 pm – Elsie Stuhr Center, 5550 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton

Tuesday, March 20
11 am – Willamette View Retirement Community, 12705 SE River Road, Portland
1:30 pm – Rose Villa, 13505 SE River Road, Portland

For more information on “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” visit our tour blog online here; tickets to the tour’s culminating showcase – “PHAME: the H is for Honored Showcase,” Thurs March 22, 7 pm at the Aladdin Theater – are on sale now.

Photo ©2009 All Rights Reserved, Katharine Kimball Photography

PHAME is thrilled to announce that tickets for the March 22nd culminating showcase performance of our “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” – taking place March 14-22 across the Portland metro region – are now on sale online and at the Aladdin Theater box office. Tickets are $15 each.

The PHAME Tour’s culminating showcase performance takes place Thursday, March 22, from 7 pm onward at the historic Aladdin Theater in Southeast Portland (3017 SE Milwaukie). PHAME’s previous Aladdin Theater appearances – at “Songs for Haiti” in 2010 and “From Oregon, With Love” in 2011 – resulted in wildly enthusiastic ovations from sold-out crowds.

PHAME’s “H is for Honored Showcase” at the Aladdin features collaborations with Live Wire Radio’s Courtenay Hameister, members of the Bureau of Standards Big Band and other special guests. PHAME Artistic Director Jessica Dart and Music Director Matthew Gailey lead the inspiring students of PHAME in performances and showcases of talent ranging from PHAME acting and dance classes, to the PHAME Choir, PHAME’s own songwriters and Vocal/Instrumental Combo, PHAME writers and visual artists. Tickets are $15, and all seats are general admission (doors at 6 pm; performance at 7 pm).

“PHAME: the H is for Honored Showcase” – Thursday, March 22nd at the Aladdin Theater - is the culminating show of our “H is for Honored Tour,” and is sponsored by Portland 100 Fund of Equity Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council, Work for Art, New Seasons Market, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and Oregon Cultural Trust.

Click here to buy your tickets today!

Many hearty congratulations to all who auditioned! We had some difficult casting decisions to make.

The cast list may be viewed here. Rehearsals begin Saturday February 25th, 12:00-4:00pm. We’re so excited to get started!

In a first, PHAME Academy – the acclaimed nonprofit arts academy for adults with developmental disabilities – unveiled this week a new YouTube commercial promoting its upcoming regional tour - “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” running March 14-22, 2012 across the Portland metro region.

The YouTube-only commercial – created by filmmaker Brian Manley and PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin - features footage from some of PHAME’s recent productions, and is set to music by the up-and-coming Portland band Typhoon (with whom PHAME shared the stage in the PHAME Choir’s 2010 collaboration with Portland Cello Project at the Wonder Ballroom). Typhoon band leader Kyle Morton graciously allowed PHAME use of the band’s gorgeous song “Summer Home,” from the EP “A New Kind of House” for the commercial.

Be sure to check out the commercial, the just-released Tour schedule, and share it far and wide!

Mark your calendars – PHAME announced today the venue and date for its Wednesday, March 14, 2012 kick-off performance and party for “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” the nonprofit arts academy’s regional tour starring its inspiring adult artists and performers with developmental disabilities.

“We are delighted to kick off our ‘H is for Honored Tour’ with a performance and party March 14th in North Portland’s historic St. Johns neighborhood,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “St. Johns Community Center is the heart of the St. Johns neighborhood, and a perfect place for us to showcase the inspiring student artists and performers of PHAME with a performance and party to kick off our regional tour. We look forward to seeing so many familiar and new friends on March 14th at St. Johns Community Center!”

The March 14th Tour kick-off performance and party will feature selected performances, readings and art showings from “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” as well as a special party with treats and snacks from Official Tour Grocery, New Seasons Market. The event, like all other “H is for Honored Tour” showcases (excepting the Aladdin Theater show), is free and open to the public.

PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour - Kick-off Performance and Party
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
7 pm to 9 pm
St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N Central Street

“PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” is sponsored by Portland 100 Fund of Equity Foundation; Regional Arts and Culture Council; Work for Art; New Seasons Market (the Official Grocery of the Tour); Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and Oregon Cultural Trust.

PHAME is truly excited to announce a very special event coming up Thursday, February 9, 2012: a PHAME Choir Sing-Along Tea Party at the gorgeous Wieden + Kennedy Atrium, in collaboration with Portland’s own musical luminary – Pink Martini bandleader Thomas Lauderdale!

“Since collaborating with the PHAME Choir on their acclaimed 2011 TEDxPortland appearance, Pink Martini bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale has become a great friend to PHAME, and we are delighted to welcome PHAME students, families and supporters to this marvelous event,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin.

“With the inspiring talents of the PHAME Choir under Music Director Matthew Gailey, Thomas’ infectious energy and spirit as a pianist and song-leader, and great treats from our friends at Cupcake Jones, this is certain to be an unforgettable sing-along party! We can’t wait to see you February 9th at the Wieden + Kennedy Atrium for a fabulous night.”

Some tickets ($100 each) are still available to this event – you can click here to purchase yours today.

More details on the event…

PHAME Choir + Thomas Lauderdale Sing-Along Tea Party
Thursday, February 9, 2012 – 7 pm
Wieden + Kennedy Atrium, 224 NW 13th Avenue, Portland
Special thanks to our official cupcake sponsor, Cupcake Jones

Tickets – $100 each, available online here

Photo ©2009 All Rights Reserved, Katharine Kimball Photography

PHAME announced today the schedule and community partners for a major initiative this March – “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” 2012, a Portland metro regional tour showcasing the incredible talent of PHAME’s inspiring artists and performers with developmental disabilities.

From March 14 to 22, 2012, PHAME’s inspiring performers and artists will fan out across the tri-county Portland region as well as Southwest Washington, offering eight days of free arts programs in over a dozen communities – including Beaverton, Estacada, Gresham, Hillsboro, Vancouver WA and several neighborhoods across Portland – and culminating in a major PHAME and Friends showcase on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at Portland’s Aladdin Theater, featuring PHAME students alongside other of Portland’s most notable artists and performers. Tickets for the Aladdin Theater show ($15 each) go on sale February 1, 2012.

“The H is for Honored Tour will fundamentally change hearts and minds about the incredible talent, humanity and possibility of adults with developmental disabilities,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “We are thrilled to be partnering with wonderful community organizations across the Portland metro region on this Tour, and look forward to showcasing the musicians, actors, dancers, writers and artists of PHAME in free showcase performances to thousands of community members on The H is for Honored Tour!”

“PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” kicks off with a PHAME showcase and media event at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the St. Johns Community Center, 8427 N Central Street. This event is free and open to the public. The current full Tour itinerary is available online here, at PHAME’s “H is for Honored Tour” blog.

“PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” is supported by several generous Foundations, corporate partners and individual donors, and Portland 100 Fund of Equity Foundation was the first foundation to step forward in support of the Tour. Peter Cunningham, Equity Foundation Executive Director, said, “Equity Foundation is excited to support PHAME Academy in this endeavor with our Portland 100 Fund.  Equity Foundation is Oregon’s LGBT community foundation and our mission includes creating communities that promote the dignity and worth of all people and this tour exemplifies that mission!”

“PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour” is sponsored by Portland 100 Fund of Equity Foundation, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, Oregon Cultural Trust, numerous community and business partners and the support of generous individual donors. The “H is for Honored Tour” blog is online here. More information on the Tour – including updated Tour itinerary, community and business partners, new special events and more – will be updated in the weeks ahead.

With just 18 days to go, PHAME’s 2011 Give! Guide campaign has entered the home stretch, and seeks support from across the community to achieve its goal of raising $15,000 for PHAME’s essential arts education and programs for adults with developmental disabilities by the Give! Guide deadline of 11:59 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011.

“At 34% of our goal with 18 days to go, we are optimistic about finishing our 2011 PHAME Give! Guide campaign strongly, and need one big final push from everyone in the community to meet our goal,” says PHAME Executive Director, Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “We have an ambitious winter and spring 2012 ahead at PHAME, including our upcoming ‘PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,’ and raising much-needed funds for PHAME during our 2011 Give! Guide campaign will allow us to serve our inspiring student artists and performers – and the community at large – with great confidence as we start 2012.”

To donate to PHAME through the Willamette Week Give! Guide, click here and select PHAME Academy in the Arts section. The Give! Guide runs through 11:59 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011.