2015 Risk/Reward Festival of New Performance Announces Lineup

The Risk/Reward Festival showcases new works by visionary performing artists from across the region. In 2015 we celebrate our 8th year blurring the boundaries of independent theater, music, dance, and performance art in new and surprising ways. Expanding to two weeks and eight Artists!

The festival chooses eight performing artists/groups from pool of applicants to create a brand new piece than can be performed in less than 20-minutes. These artists propose an idea and we let them run wild - encouraging creative risks, experimentation and bold ideas. No one really knows what to expect until opening night. Each week, four performances are staged back-to-back in a festive environment (meaning drinks and lively conversation). Audiences come to sample a variety of artists and art forms in what Rebecca Jacobson of the Willamette Week calls, "speed dating for contemporary performance."

Week 1 - July 10-12

MARKEITH WILEY - 31 & Counting - Dance (Seattle, WA)

FAITH HELMA - I HATE POSITIVE THINKING - Theatre (Portland, OR)

NANCY ELLIS - Nancy's NANCY - Dance/Theatre (Portland, OR)

EOWYN EMERALD & DANCERS - Will You Take This Balloon - Dance (Portland, OR)

Week 2 - July 17-19

DANI TIRRELL - The Beautiful - Dance/Vogue (Seattle, WA)

KATIE PIATT - Springfield Today (LIVE) - Improv Comedy / Performance Art (Portland, OR)

TIM SMITH-STEWART - Awaiting Oblivion or How to be ok when everything is not ok - temporary solutions for surviving the dystopian future we find ourselves in at present. - Theatre - (Seattle, WA)

JESSICA JOBARIS & GENERAL MAGIC - A Great Hunger - Performance Art/Dance Theatre (Seattle, WA)

2015 Risk/Reward Festival of New Performance will take place Friday-Sunday July 10-12 and 17-19. Performances are 7:30 on Friday and Saturday and 5:00pm on Sundays.

Performances are held at the Artists Repertory Theatre, Morrison Stage at 1515 Southwest Morrison Street, Portland, OR. Tickets can be purchased at www.risk-reward.org or 503-241-1278.

Tickets are $14-18 in advance, $20 at the door and $30 for both weeks.

Photo Credit: Risk/Reward Festival