Friday, April 24, 2009

Shoestring Operations: Andrew Golla and Portland Theatre Works

'"Theater is always dying," Andrew Golla [AD for Portland Theatre Works] says. "Someday we're going to stumble on a Greek tablet that says, 'The theater is dead.'" .... So why, on a Monday night in March, in a little theater with a crowd of 45 or so who paid nothing to get in and a cast of professional actors who are working for free, does the corpse look and sound so lively?' -- Bob Hicks, The Oregonian...

2 comments:

Steve Patterson said...

Nice to see PTW get a little ink. As a playwright who's worked with them, I can say the PTW folks are consistently professional and enthusiastic, and it's hard to explain what a vital service they provide as a conduit between writers and audiences. Though there's a great deal of value to be had in having a play read privately, it's hard to replicate that open, unpredictable exchange that happens between a script and a group of strangers who may not know you or your work. Plus it's heartening just to see people take time from their hectic lives to sit and listen to a new play. Thanks for all you do, PTW and to your actors, who so graciously donate their valuable talent and time.

Ellen said...

Yes, terrific to see this company get some recognition and press! Like many playwrights in town, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with PTW. Andrew Golla's keen dramaturgy has helped me immensely.

There is nothing shoestring about Andrew's talent or his vision. In any decent country, that 10K budget would be half a million!