Productions
Interactive Productions that Immerse, Engage, and Empower
ETP Archive: 2006 production “What Would You Do?”
“What Would You Do?” marked the Educational Theatre Program’s debut in Oregon and Southwest Washington public schools, creating a new standard for educational, interactive drama. It completed its successful schedule in November, 2006, setting the stage for current productions “IF” and “The Pressure Point!”.
“What Would You Do?” is an interactive performance that challenges upper-elementary-age students to resolve conflicts in a way that demonstrates respect for themselves and others. The program encourages discussions about creating a caring school climate, and examines issues such as peer pressure, bullying, stress, respecting differences, and recognizing individual strengths. “What Would You Do?” features performances by talented professional actors and stop-action techniques that prompt audience feedback and involvement. Throughout the one-hour performance, the actors pause to invite audience members’ suggestions and then explore these directions as the action resumes. Students are also invited to join the actors on stage to act out their ideas.
Biographies
Lava Alapai (Gabriella) is an actor, playwright, puppeteer and designer. Recent credits include performing an excerpt of her original play, “Mutt,” at this year’s JAW/West playwright’s slam and co-producing “Rest Room” with Many Hats Collaboration, her theatrical production company. She completed a year-long educational tour and several projects with Tears of Joy Puppet Theater throughout 2004-06 and performed in the 2005 JAW/West mainstage reading of “The Thugs.” Alapai completed a nationwide tour of “Bear in the Big Blue House” as a puppeteer. She holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and a BA from Salisbury University. This winter she will premiere “Mutt” at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.
Kurt Conroyd (Max) is thrilled to be working with the Educational Theatre Program. He was seen recently in Clean at the Miracle Theatre, for which he won a 2006 Drammy for Outstanding Actor in a lead role. Other credits include Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant at Artists Repertory Theatre, Eric in the Eleventh Floor (Literary Arts “Verb: Literature in Performance” series), Blue (Hand2Mouth Theatre), The Fantasticks and the 2006 JAW/West Playwrights’ Festival (Portland Center Stage). A graduate of Willamette University, Kurt also studied corporal theater in Paris at Studio Magenia under Ella Jaroszewicz.
Tony Fuemmeler (Stage Manager) is a mask-maker, performer, puppeteer, educator, designer, stage manager and technician. His work has also been seen in New York City productions by Under the Table Ensemble Theatre, Erin Orr, Kate Brehm, Josh Matthews, Peculiar Works Project, Theatre Et Al, and Ten Directions; and in Minneapolis with In the Heart of The Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre and the BareBones Collective. He is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Theatre and the University of Kansas. He is thankful to be surrounded by amazing people.
Damon Kupper (Rudy) is an ‘edu-tainer’ who strongly believes in the power of theatre to promote peaceful relations and cross-cultural understanding. Locally, Damon has acted with Oregon Children’s Theatre (Charlotte’s Web and Alexander, Who Will Not Move ), Artists Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) (Death of a Salesman, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bug), the Well Arts Institute (A Soldier’s Heart) and the Third Rail Repertory Theatre (Dirty Story). He continues to work for theatre outreach programs through the A.R.T, the Young Players and the Portland Theatre Brigade. Damon is also a street performer and walking tour guide in Portland.
Chris Murray (Chad) is so happy to be working for the Educational Theatre Program on this touring show. Chris has been seen on the stage and screen in Portland for the last five years. Recently, he has performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lakewood Theatre, JAW/West and Visions & Voices at Portland Center Stage, and as Shane Mungit in Take Me Out at Artists Repertory Theatre, for which he won a Drammy.
Amy Newman (Whitney) is thrilled to be making her Educational Theatre Program debut. She received her BA in Theater from Temple University in Philadelphia and now happily calls Portland home. Amy is a member of Theatre Vertigo and has a daily yoga practice.