November Newsletter

November Newsletter  

Dear Community,
 
Welcome back to our monthly newsletter! We hope you’ve been enjoying this rainy PNW fall and are getting excited for the holiday season. A lot’s been happening at 21ten as we gear up for our fall Mainstage production Taking Care of Animals. It’s hard to believe we open in a week.

The wonderful Scott Thompson recently sat down with director Alex Hurt and playwright Jerrod Jordahl to capture a lively conversation about the meaning of Taking Care of Animals and what excites them about this production. From Alex:
 
“It feels like all the characters in this play have animalistic impulses just like you see in America. And I think that’s really what this play is about. It’s about the ways in which we’ve learned to survive, and how that carries on even past the world ending.”
 
Watch the full video below:

    
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Play Picture-in-Picture
 
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Thanks for being a part of our community! Keep reading for more updates on what's been happening in our corner of town.

 Volunteer Opportunities
 
We are looking for Front of House volunteers to help support the run of Taking Care of Animals! There are two positions we need filled for every show: Box Office and Concessions.
 
BOX OFFICE: The box office volunteer will welcome guests to the theatre and sell tickets at the door.
 
CONCESSIONS: The concessions volunteer will sell food and drinks at the concessions station.

You can sign up to volunteer here! Email any questions about volunteering to victoria.p.spelman@gmail.com. As a thank you, all volunteers receive a complimentary ticket to the performance of Taking Care of Animals they are helping out with.

Volunteer

Happy Hour at 21ten!
 
For company core and loose associates, and friends (anyone, really), 21ten is holding a Happy Hour at the Theatre starting 6pm tonight, Friday the 10th. There will be good music, great company, plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic refreshments and lots of snacks.
 
If you know someone who might like to join, bring em along! The primary goal is to reconnect with folks you know from 21ten and to meet new ones. And to enjoy it being the end of the work week (at least, for about 67 percent of us).
 
If the mood is right, artistic director Ted Rooney may grab attention for a few minutes to address the state of 21ten.
 
21ten Happy Hour
6pm Friday the 10th 
@ 21ten Theatre 2110 SE 10th

Community Movie Night
 
Seeking to match the vibe of Taking Care of Animals, we have chosen to screen the Coen Brothers classic Fargo for our next community movie night. It will take place this Sunday  at 7pm. Attendance is free. To RSVP, email Ted Rooney at acted@att.net.
 
MOVIE NIGHT AT 21ten
A COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENT
Free
Drinks are available for purchase.
Sunday the 12th of November
House opens at 7 PM. Screenings start at 7:30 PM.
21ten Theatre
2110 SE 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

21tenTedTalks
A Note From Artistic Director Ted Rooney
 
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, there is so much going on at 21ten that it’s hard to pick what to highlight. 
 
The obvious ONE is our world premiere of Taking Care Of Animals that opens next week. I think Jerrod’s (Jordahl) play is going to be huge for 21ten and something special for Portland theater…But I don’t ‘know’ this. Will it be as funny and moving as it was to me when I first read it? It pushes conventions - but does it go too far? The story is unique and takes risks - but in a good way? Will it even work or will it fall flat on its face? Will it not actually be as fresh and surprising to audiences as it was to me when Alex (Hurt) first handed it to me.  Time will tell. But to me this quirky story WITH HEART is the play that needed to be done right now. Never before have I felt that so clearly. And I love that it’s character driven as opposed to all message-ey. Intrigued?
 
Here are my stabs at briefly describing each of the four characters. Mine is an asshole with a DEEPLY BURIED heart. Illya’s (deTorres) is a dude dying to do the right thing.  Annie’s (Trevisan - from 52 Pick-Up) is the abused rising like a phoenix from the ashes. Michael’s (Heidingsfelder) a simple soul who brilliantly adapts. I am so curious how you are going to react to this new story!!!
 
There is one more thing on the horizon I am excited to tell you about... But for now it will have to remain a mystery. “What the hell is this thing Ted is talking about?” Look for the announcement of the launch date and come find out. We want to have a huge party to celebrate going live WITH THIS. 
 
For now, I’m afraid I can’t say anything more. “Oh such a mystery! What could this be? I’m sure it is just bullshit talk! But still, I am curious! I want to be there on the day when this mystery is revealed!” Well, good.
 
One way or another, I hope to see you soon at 21ten. For Taking Care of Animals. Or at our 6 PM cocktail hour this Friday, or AT our movie night this Sunday evening (Fargo). Or to our next Sunday reading (soon to be announced). Also, it won’t be long ‘til our January production of Caryl Churchill’s A Number GOES LIVE...directed by Mike O’Connell and staring Alex Hurt and Bruce Burkhartsmeier.
 
SEE YA. Ted.

That’s all for now! Check your inbox for more updates as they come, and we’ll see you in November for the next edition of the newsletter.
 
Sincerely,
The 21ten Team
 
P.S. Don't forget to get tickets to Taking Care of Animals.

Tickets

Posters for Taking Care of Animals designed by local artist Jack Solomon.