February 8, 2017 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Page 15 Arts & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Swimming While Drowning,” a world premiere play about two homeless teens who find inspiration to live life on their own terms, opens Thursday, Feb.9 and runs through Feb. 25 at Milagro, 525 S.E. Stark St. Life on Their Own Terms Milagro, Portland premier Lati- no arts and culture center at 525 S.E. Stark St., presents the world premiere of “Swimming While Drowning,” When teenager Angelo Mendez decides to leave his home out of fear of further disappointing his homophobic father, he encounters a world he was not prepared for at an LGBT homeless shelter in Los Angeles. Spoken word poetry and teen romance collide in this com- ing of age story as two homeless teens find inspiration to live life on their own terms. “This play is going to be unlike anything that is currently playing right now in Portland and it’s excit- ing to help bring it to life with the world premiere,” said playwright Emilio Rodriguez. “We’re not see- ing teenage characters that identify as LGBTQ and the real struggles that they go through, so being able to give a voice to those types of characters, that’s important. “Swimming While Drowning,” opens Thursday, Feb. 9 and runs through Feb. 25. Bigger Plans for ‘Hidden’ Star (AP) - Octavia Spencer is up for her second Academy Award this year, but the star of “Hidden Figures” said Monday that she has even bigger plans. “The role I’m destined to play is to be one of the biggest produc- ers in Hollywood,” Spencer said at the 3rd annual Makers Confer- ence, a women’s empowerment event sponsored by Verizon. The actress shared her aspira- tions during a conversation with Gloria Steinem that kicked off the two-day conference in California. Spencer received a supporting actress Oscar nod for playing Dor- othy Vaughn, a black mathemati- cian who worked at NASA, in the crowd-pleasing best picture nomi- nee “Hidden Figures.” Spencer told the Makers crowd Monday night that she wants to continue to tell stories “that hav- en’t really been told.” Octavia Spencer “I want the movies that I pro- duce to show a broader spectrum of people in the world,” she said. Spencer said she is working on a project about the Jonestown Massacre for HBO and develop- ing a story about pioneering black entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker. Upholster y C le aning • S ofa / L oves e at • Pet St ai ns • F l o o d R estor at i ons 5 0 3 - 7 0 5 - 2 5 8 7 2 Rooms + Hall $ 95 59 $ 95 109 Complete House We Also Do Janitorial Services Licensed • Bonded • Insured Carpet Cleaning Spot/Stain Removal • 24 Hour Flood Service Upholstery Cleaning • Area Rug Cleaning • Dry Time 2-4 Hours With Free Deoderizer Free Estimates • Available Weekends