Portland Actors Conservatory Announces 2010 Season of Plays

Portland Actors Conservatory has announced its 25th Anniversary Season of Plays, marking a quarter century of arts leadership in Portland. Like the Conservatory's big achievements of the past two years: national accreditation, a fulltime day program, and Federal Financial Aid disbursement, the upcoming season takes on the big questions. Is happiness possible? What's the deal with love? Big questions yield Big Love (literally) and will leave Portland Actors Conservatory audiences gasping for air. Play selections include:

You Can't Take It With You (by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart) This Pulitzer Prizewinning, classic American play celebrates PAC's 15th Anniversary production and is directed by PAC founder/artistic director Beth Harper. Opens Feb. 19.

Melancholy Play (by Sarah Ruhl) Follow this MacArthur Genius playwright down the moody rabbit hole of an increasingly taboo emotion as Illinois residents are beguiled by an irresistibly tragic young stranger. Directed by Connor Kerns, Artistic Director at Quintessance Language & Imagination Theatre, and PAC faculty member. Opens April 16.

Big Love (by Charles Mee) This theatrical free-for-all explodes with vitality, visual spectacle, and raw emotion. Directed by Philip Cuomo ("La Carpa" at Miracle Theatre, Third Rail core company member), and Conservatory Associate Director. Opens June 11.

Graduate Showcase - Graduating Second Year students present scenes and monologues representing the culmination of their study at the Conservatory July 14-17.

Long before the current explosion of in-migrating creative talent, Portland Actors Conservatory was providing top tier professional actor training (starting in a Hollywood neighborhood dentist's office in 1985). In 2010, Oregon's only independent professional actor training program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre celebrates 25 years of cultural stewardship with its Two Year Conservatory program as well as ongoing evening Studio Classes and summer youth programs.

Subscription prices for the 2010 Season of Plays range from $50-$80, and are available online.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Portland Actors Conservatory is the premiere school for professional actor training in the Pacific Northwest. Artistic director Beth Harper leads the Conservatory's multiple offerings including its fulltime, Two Year Professional Training Program, ongoing Studio Class offerings, and the Summer on Stage youth theatre program. Portland Actors Conservatory provides the highest standard in actor training with distinguished faculty including Beth Harper, Connor Kerns, Philip Cuomo, and Michael Mendelson among others. The Conservatory is located near Portland, Ore.'s City Center in the historic Firehouse Theatre, housing an upstairs studio space as well an intimate 70-seat theatre. Portland Actors Conservatory annually produces a three show season featuring its second year students working alongside professional guest artists, in addition to two student showcases. Portland Actors Conservatory is Oregon's only independent professional actor training school accredited with the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

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