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Event
TELLING - Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Step into the Light
Circle Theatre Project and Oregon.Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service (OAASIS) present the world premiere of a new play, TELLING; Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Step Into the Light on Friday, May 9 at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC). Performances will continue on May 10, 16, 17 and 18.
In a society in which one out of four girls and one out of six boys have experienced child sex abuse, it remains a secret rarely shared, held close by survivors who feel shame and horror, and whose lives were forever changed when they were victimized by older, more powerful perpetrators. In the gripping play TELLING, the true stories of seven adult survivors are woven together to create a tapestry of pain, secrecy, and ultimately, hope.
Using visual images, original music, movement, dance, and poetry, seven brave residents of the Pacific Northwest share their personal stories of prolonged abuse by brothers, fathers, mothers, teachers, priests, babysitters, strangers and "friends" of the family. With courage, some trepidation and even some humor they step onto the stage, into the light, and recount experiences that changed their lives dramatically. They name names, hold their abusers accountable, recount suffering and shame, and express anger, fear, and, in some cases, forgiveness. Their stories are a roadmap to hope for other survivors.
Playwright Margie Boulé, the daughter of a survivor of long-term sex abuse by a Catholic priest, has selected a diverse group of performers whose backgrounds are varied, but whose lives have all been forever altered by the brutality of child sex abuse. The performers describe their experiences with manipulative aggressors who groomed them and their families so they could have access to commit their crimes. The survivors tell of a culture in which people turn away from children in pain, instead of rescuing them. And they remember homes in which they were never safe from predators.
Margie Boulé worked as a journalist in print, TV and radio for over 30 years in Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. During those years she won dozens of regional and national journalism awards. She also has had a long career as an actress and singer, starring in over 80 theatrical productions, appearing in TV dramas and soaps, recording hundreds of commercials and jingles, and performing across the country with symphonies, the band Pink Martini, and at jazz venues.
Director Jamie Rea holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Reed College and is, in addition to being a skilled actor, a respected stage director having worked with such noted companies as Lakewood, Sojourn, and Oregon Children's Theatre in addition to Circle Theatre Project. Ms. Rea's talents run the gamut from Improvisation to Shakespeare; from Dialects to Lighting Designand she can sing!
The play TELLING was inspired by the Secret Survivor series created by Ping Chong + Company in New York, which has provided funding and support for this production. The play also was made possible by a grant from the Ms. Foundation.
Since its founding in 2009, OAASIS (http://oaasisoregon.org)has worked to increase public awareness of the impact of child sexual abuse, to support and empower survivors, and to advocate for public policies and laws to prevent these crimes. OAASIS is made up of survivors of child sex abuse, their family members, mental health professionals and teachers. It is the only survivor-based organization of its kind in the US and has been the recipient of national awards, grants, and publicity.
Circle Theatre Project, founded by Patty Price-Yates in 2010, is the 'new girl on the block', so to speak as one of Portland's newest professional theatres. The vision of Circle Theatre Project is to provide more opportunities for women and girls in every aspect of professional theatre.
Courageous members of TELLING's cast include: Elise Bradley, Das Chapin, Cristi Dillon, Gabriel Mikalson, and Gordon Romei of the Portland metropolitan area, Carolee Horning of Eugene, and Digene Farrar of Seattle.
A counselor will be present at all performances for anyone who may become distraught by the play's content, which is powerful but not graphic. Adult language will be used on stage. Parental guidance is recommended for children under 13.
A talkback with actors/storytellers, director Jamie Rea, playwright Margie Boule, and Artistic Director Patty Price-Yates will be conducted after every performance, facilitated by Mr. Randy Ellison of OAASIS.
Tickets to TELLING are available through www.brownpapertickets.org
Contact Patty Price-Yates of Circle Theatre Project to arrange interviews with the director, playwright, performers, or the executive director of OAASIS.
TELLING Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Step into the Light opens on Friday, May 9 and continues Saturday, May 10, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 all performances at 7:30pm. Sunday, May 18 performance of TELLING will be a 2:00pm matinee
All performances of TELLING Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Step into the Light will be on the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center Stage, 5340 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97217.
Tickets may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com .
Tickets are: Adult ~ $18.00 ~ Student/Seniors/Military ~ $15.00.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Box Office/Will Call will be open one hour prior to performance.
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LocationInterstate Firehouse Cultural Center, IFCC Theater (View)
5340 North Interstate Avenue
Portland, OR 97217
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 12 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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