Master Classes

P’5 Education & Community Engagement

Who I Am

This year we partnered with Shalanda Sims,Executive and Artistic Director of World Stage Theater, a local African American Woman-owned Arts Production company. “Who I Am” brought to our stage a predominantly African American local cast which included 85% youth and young adults ages 10-25. This performance brought THEATER to our Education Season increasing the types of performing arts experienced in our venues through our Education Program offerings.

P’5 Education & Community Engagement

Seven Last Words

A performance performed by Camas High School Men’s Choir. Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Kenneth Chamberlain, Amadou Diallo, and John Crawford. These African- American men-each killed by police or by authority figures-are the subject of a powerful multi-movement choral work by Atlanta-based composer Joel Thompson titled “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.” The piece was recently premiered by the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Eugene Rogers, associate director of choirs and professor of conducting at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance. This performance was a three-part project that consisted of the Camas High School Men’s Choir, Roosevelt High School Students, and community members. Step 1, a panel of community members going to Camas High School to speak with the students and share personal experiences. Step 2, Roosevelt High School students traveled over to Camas High School and the students were able to have a discussion with each other sharing stories and experiences. Step 3, Camas High School Choir performed the Seven Last Words piece in front of students from Roosevelt High School, I Am Academy, Rosemary Anderson Middle School, and Rosemary Anderson High School, as well as community members from the Portland area. Before the performance students from both Roosevelt and Camas High School spoke about the experience from Step 2 and what they hoped everyone in the room would take from the performance, after a talk-back session took place with everyone in the room.