Profile Theatre Launches New Education Fund

PROFILE THEATRE has announced, through generous contributions of theatre education supporters, a new fund has been named in honor of Founding Artistic Director Jane Unger. The Jane Unger Hands on Theatre Fund will support Profile's theatre education programs in local schools, an effort highlighted by the Hands On Theatre Program created by Ms. Unger.

Developed in 2002 by Founding Artistic Director Jane Unger, Profile's Hands On Theatre Program was created to address the lack of theatre and arts education in local schools. The program offers extended residencies with an experienced teaching artist to local middle and high schools. Over the course of several months, students explore basic principles of theatre and performance, then rehearse, design, construct and finally perform a fully staged play. Teaching materials and scripts are selected based upon Profile's featured playwright and the themes at the heart of their body of work.

"Education was key to Jane's plans when she created Profile Theatre, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to establish this fund in her name," says Artistic Director Adriana Baer. "Jane made sure that education was integral to Profile's mission, and her legacy lives on through these programs."

The announcement of the Jane Unger Hands on Theatre Fund occurs as Hands on Theatre students at Metropolitan Learning Center prepare for this year's performance. Metropolitan Learning Center has participated in this program for nine years, becoming a model upon which Profile has based the further development of its residencies and partnerships with local schools.

Director of Education and Community Engagement Lauren Bloom Hanover commented, "This year's students impress and inspire me every day. They are an exceptional group of young people whose courage and imagination is evident, not only each time they get onstage, but also in the creative and analytical preparations they have done as part of their process." Hanover continued, "I can't wait for them to share their work!"

Additional education programming that the fund will support includes Profile's Inside Out Community and School Tour-bringing the company's main stage productions into the community with performances in high schools and community centers throughout the greater Portland area-and Professional Internships and Apprenticeships for emerging artists.

The Metropolitan Learning Center Hands On Theatre Residency will culminate in two upcoming public performances. The students will present a series of scenes and monologues from three of Sam Shepard's Family Plays on Wednesday March 5th and Thursday March 6th. The performances begin at 6:30 pm in the school auditorium, located at 2033 NW Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon. The performance is free to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.