"Les Miserables" comes to PCC Sylvania June 2 and 3

The cast of “Les Mis” - from left, clockwise from top:
Rebecca Davis - Mme Thenardier, Estin Kiger - M Thenardier, Terese Tomlinson - Eponine Nancy Jameson - Fantine, Andy Reisbick - Marius, David Hutzler- Javert, Aaron Hobson - Jean Valjean, John Landsverk - Bishop, Abbi Dunham - grown Cosette, Kaitlyn Mullins - Gavroche, John Fitzsimmons - Enjolras, Breanne Littner - young Cosette.

"Les Miserables"

Welcome to new Board members

This classic Victor Hugo story, spectacularly performed by PHAME Academy students, will dazzle your senses as it touches your heart. Jean Valjean, a noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, is released after 19 years on the chain gang. Only the saintly bishop treats him kindly. Valjean decides to start his life anew, and becomes a factory owner and mayor. One of his workers, Fantine, is dying and he promises to look after her daughter, Cosette. Inspector Javert pursues him the rest of his life. Unrest in the city erupts in revolution with Enjolras leading idealistic students. Besides the revolutionary students, Thenardier and his gang robbing everyone they can and Javert pursuing Valjean, "Les Mis" is full of surprises and intrigue. You must see this spectacle - call the office at 503- 973-5815 and reserve tickets for your family and friends. There will be two performances only, Sat. June 2 at 7 pm and Sunday June 3 at 2 pm at PCC Sylvania's Performing Arts Center.

We are pleased to welcome three strong new members to our Board of Directors.
Frank Romanaggi, Portland Police detective and father of Kara, is our new Treasurer (sounds very safe ). Cathleen Corbett, who for many years has run the Faith and Sharing retreat program which reaches out to special needs people, brings her special touch to the Board and to play rehearsals. And Carolyne Haycraft comes to us with superb background in theater from Wisconsin and Australia.
Lucky for PHAME they are all ready to help us thrive!

Holiday Gala News

Student Spotlight: Andy Reisbick

Please mark your calendars...PHAME's Annual Christmas Gala will be held again (by popular demand) at the Acadian Ballroom on NE Alberta, on Friday Dec. 7 at 7:00 pm. It will feature all your favorites: entertainment by Michael Allen Harrison, Julianne Johnson and the PHAME Academy Choir, a lively Silent Auction and a delicious dinner. Invite your friends!

"Hello, my name is Andy Reisbick. I was on the PHAME Student Council. My part was Board Rep, that means I go to the Board meetings and I hear what they say and give a report back to the Student Council. It's that easy but it is kind of hard, just a little. I was on the Board for about one year. They have elections every year and the best part of it you have fun at it. Thank you for helping me."
Andy also serves on the Multnomah/Clackamas ARC Board. Thank you, Andy, for doing such a good job representing your friends!

Phame students now published authors

Thanks to teacher Cheryl Adelman for championing our first ever collection of original poems and essays, on sale now for $10. For copies please contact Phame Academy at (503) 973-5815. The book is dedicated to Joan Reid who passed away this past year. Below is a Haiku written by Joan.

Out of the silence
Suddenly the seagulls cry.
Are they lonely too?

Phame remembers Joan Reid

We all loved Joan at Phame Academy. She was a good actress, a good singer and wrote good too. She was always there and always happy to come to Phame. When I'd wait for the lift with her she always had something funny to tell me and the other kids. We all miss her like heck and I don't know how we're going to get along without her coming every single day. I don't like this. It's not fair. But I want her to know we love her.
- John Fitzsimons, Student Council President

Calendar of Events

April 28
Choir performance at ARC auction
April 28 and 29; May 5 and 6; May 12 and 13
Set building from 10 - 6 at 5040 SE Milwaukie
May 23
7 - 9 pm
Spring recital; Last day of classes
June 2 - 7 pm and June 3 - 2 pm
"Les Mis" at PCC Sylvania
June 9
7 - 9 pm
Meidiland Rose Ball
July TBA
Kids on the Block, Pioneer Square
August TBA
Carol and Michael's Benefit concert

Easy new ways to support PHAME

by Michael Ashton

A fund raising revolution has begun for PHAME Academy - easy and affordable e-commerce!

If you are not certain about any of these fundraisers or have questions, please contact Michael Ashton at 503.973.5815 or email him at phameacademy@gmail.com for information.
Thank you all again for your past and continued support. We couldn't be here without you.

March 14th Winter Recital

A beautiful spring evening saw families and friends packed into the church gymnasium for the "End of Winter" recital. From the "9 to 5" country line dancing to the art work dancing on the clotheslines, it was a colorful night. Voice, piano and Johnny Be Good guitar solos were cheered. The drama class satirized the Achademy Awards in great style, and the writers had their work beautifully read by teacher Cheryl Adelman. The choir ended the night with a haunting Enya song, where the men's and women's voices played off one anther magnificently. Cheers to all.

Thanks to recent donors

We are very grateful to the wonderful foundations who have given us grant money to make "Les Mis" possible. They are:
The Collins Foundation
Spirit Mountain Community Fund
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Harry C. Merlo Foundation
PGE Foundation
The Autzen Foundation

Bid for time volunteer opportunities

Can you paint sets? Sew costumes? Help dress and organize actors backstage? Usher and take tickets? Sell PHAME merchandise? We would love to hear from you as "Les Mis" draws near. Please call the office and we will get you connected.

Thanks also to all the other individuals, corporations and foundations who have given to PHAME this year. You are much appreciated and your money is being spent wisely.
Are YOU ready to make a much-needed donation? (Tax deductible, since we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation - tax ID #93 0991167.) Please send your check to:
PHAME Academy of Fine Arts, 1640 NW 19th Ave., Portland, OR 97209.
Thank you. And please remember PHAME when you are writing or updating your will.

Student Council 2007:

Board Rep: Jason Marick
President: John Fitzsimons
VP: Estin Kiger
Treasurer: Terese Tomlinson
Secretary: Katie Dunn

PHAME Academy (Pacific Handicapped Artists, Musicians and Entertainers) is Portland's only fine arts academy for the developmentally disabled. For more information, call the office at 503-973-5815 or check our web site, www.phameacademy.org. PHAME classes are held at the Community of Christ Church, 4837 NE Couch, Portland. We thank them and Pastor Brad Shumate for their warm support.