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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2022)
October 19, 2022 Page 7 Arts & ENTERTAINMENT Oregon Children’s Theatre presents Celebrating Our Heroes: Opening Season Extravaganza & FUNdraiser Fundraising event of the year is open to the public and in-person for a day of family fun Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) an- nounces Celebrating Our Heroes: OCT’s Season Opening Extravaganza & FUNd- raiser on October 22 at 2:00pm at the Newmark Theatre. The colorful event will feature several family-friendly and fun-filled events, including an exclusive premiere of OCT and TheaterWorksU- SA’s production of Dog Man: the Musi- cal. The event is OCT’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with goods and services val- ued at over $125 per person. Tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for children (under 18), and are on-sale now. All donations up to $25,000 will be generously matched by the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund. In addition to performances and activ- ities, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Oregon Children’s Theatre and its future. “It’s no secret that OCT has been in a state of flux for the last several years,” says Michael Ham- merstrom, Director of Marketing & De- Musical performers for the production Dog Man velopment. “The pandemic has been un- relenting on the arts and there have been some truly scary and dark moments for OCT, but here we are opening our first full season in three years, and I can truly say we are full of excitement and empower- ment about what lies ahead. OCT is spe- cial because of the people, which is why this event turns the table on the everyday heroes who make up our community: our students, families, artists, partners, sup- porters and staff.” Event attendees will be welcomed by OCT’s staff and leadership, including Hammerstrom and Board President, Dre Slaman, and the Executive Director of the New York City-based TheaterWorksUSA, Michael Harrington. A special guest per- formance by local artist Jillian Snow Har- ris (half of Portland’s acclaimed ‘Liza & Liberace: A Tribute’ act) will kick off the festivities, followed by the regional pre- miere of Dog Man: the Musical. After the performance, families can gather for light- fare food and beverages, theater games, crafting activities, and a raffle featuring over $3,000 in family-friendly outings and gifts contributed by local small businesses. OCT’s acclaimed Acting Academy will engage children with lively theater games and an opportunity to learn dance choreography inspired by Dog Man: the Musical, while Tyler Buswell as Donatel- la Nobody will host a Drag Queen Sto- ry Time. Kids can also spend their time crafting their very own superhero persona and pose in a superhero-themed photo op- portunity, which includes a souvenir pho- to to take home. For their participation, kids will be entered to win a complete set of the Dog Man book series, donated by Green Bean Books. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy music, food and wine provided by local winery, Angela Vineyards. Tickets can be purchased on OCT’s website at http://www.octc.org/gala, or by calling the box office at (503) 228-9571.
