OCT’s Blog

This past week at Acting Academy 11 of our Young Professionals (YPs) have been immersed in a class called YP Intensive. The class title pretty much says it all.  Each day brought a new instructor, a new set of skills, and 6 hours of intensive learning!

They studied classical theater with Andy Alcala; learned the language of the Viewpoints Method with Val Landrum; applied the Alexander Technique with Jacklyn Maddux; donned masks and explored Commedia Dell'Arte with Tony Fuemmeler; and directed a staged reading with OCT Artistic Director Stan Foote.

As the Marketing Director at OCT, I spend the majority of my time in the office promoting our plays and classes. During the summer, it’s a pleasure to be able to work off site for a week or two getting to know Acting Academy students and parents.

This week I was reminded again how amazing our Young Professionals are. Ranging in age from 14 - 18, they are smart, polite, mature, and a joy to be around. Their dedication to their craft is impressive! Bravo to our Education Director Dani Baldwin who manages the YP program and to all the parents of these great kids!

Learn more about the Young Professionals program here.

And be sure to catch them in Gatherings in Graveyards and A WWII Radio Christmas!

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MAKE IT A FULL DAY EXPERIENCE AND SAVE!
Sign up for 2 classes during& the July 7 - 16 session and save 50% on one class. Great choice combos for all ages and levels.

Make-A-Musical
Miracle Theatre | July 6-17 | 9:00 a.m.-noon
Ages: 8-11 | Level: Beginning/Intermediate | $245

COMBINES WITH...

Seuss Vs. Silverstein
Miracle Theatre | July 6-17 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Ages: 8-11 | Level: Beginning/Intermediate | $245

Beginning Acting (A)
A: NW Academy | July 6-17 | 9:00 a.m.-noon
Ages: 11-15 | Level: Beginning | $245

COMBINES WITH...

Beg./Int. Improvisation
NW Academy | July 6-17 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Ages: 11-15 | Level: Beginning/Intermediate | $245
Students will have a supervised lunch break from 12 - 12:30 and then head into their second class.

If you are interested, or have questions, please call (503) 228-9571 ext 2, mention this offer. Offer only valid for the class combinations listed above. Full tuition cost is listed above, 50% will come off the price of the second class added. See full class listings at www.octc.org.

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With the YP group at OCT there is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of. A trip to NYC! I went on this trip with other YP's and we all had a blast. We got to do so much in so little time. New York City is such a big place that you would need at least a month to see its vast culture. When you arrive in Times Square you can't help but look up everywhere you go. You can tell who the tourist are by the people just staring up at the sky scrapers all the time with there big cameras around their necks. lol(that would be me!) But this trip really can be one of the most memorable experiences. If you need to save money to go next year! DO IT!! You don't want to miss it!!! You will get to see theatre that you can not see anywhere else. While staying in the heart of the Broadway district you feel like you yourself can't possibly even be there. It is very incredible!!! So just GO!!!

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The Young Professionals performance of The K of D: An Urban Legend last December was a huge audience hit. Haunting and engaging, it kept you at the edge of your seat.

It's the story of Charlotte, a small town girl who discovers she has the kiss of death, and her friends who end up recounting the story, or is it an urban legend? Don't miss this encore performance!

• The K of D: An Urban Legend
  June 11 -14
  Thursday @ 7pm / Friday @ 7pm
  Saturday @ 2pm / Sunday @ 2pm and 5pm
  YP Studio at the Galleria
  600 SW 10th Ave.
  Tickets: Suggested Donation $5-$10
  Call for reserved seating, 503-228-9571

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…And so it begins! We’ve been hard at work preparing classes for Fall. The Acting Academy has really diversified this season, and it’s exciting to see what we’ve developed in terms of new curriculum. I usually teach improvisational comedy classes, but several new courses we have planned are built to accommodate that style, but from different angles.

Teen Scene: Classic Comedy is a class that goes back to the most important part of comedic acting: its roots. To gain a mastery in modern timing and irony, it’s best to take a lesson from the guys who invented it. Dennis Mosley is our newest teacher, and will be your guide to this laugh from the past.

Comedy Workshop: LOL is a modern take on an old classic. Working with Chris Murray, an established Portland actor and funny-man, the students will   take on the most important rules of timing and delivery. It’s a must-have class for anyone aspiring to entertain.

Any students that like improv or comedy, or both should take at a look at those classes. Later this year (in either the Winter or Spring), we’re planning a few new classes that are also a bit out-of-the-box:

• On Camera: Meisner
• Dance Workshop: Jazz
• Mask Creation and Characterization

Lastly, I plan to teach a couple of improv classes myself. We’re still working on the details, but I plan to accommodate both the beginners, and the experts. I know I’m excited about the upcoming opportunities, and I hope you are too!

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