Pentacle Theatre charts a path to reopening |
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At its April town hall, the Pentacle Theatre governing board presented its plan for returning to the stage.
All of the plans discussed below are contingent on the status of state and federal restrictions. As we have said before, the health and safety of our volunteers and patrons, the financial health of the theater and compliance with applicable state and federal restrictions related to the virus are our top three priorities.
"Phase to the Stage"
Vice President Patrick Moser shared the board's phased approach to reopening. Under this plan, Pentacle will focus on virtual productions through the end of June. During the second phase, July through September, the board will encourage virtual and live, in-person outdoor performances. During the final phase, Oct. through Dec., the board hopes to open the theater's auditorium to live, in-person shows.
The board hopes to announce the 2021 fall productions in July.
2022 season
As you know, the closure of the theater's downtown office and rehearsal space means we do not have a separate space for rehearsals. In recognition of this limitation, the board has approved a five-show season with shorter runs. The board hopes to present uplifting or humorous shows with small casts and low production costs, rehearsing in the auditorium.
The board anticipates announcing the 2022 season in August of 2021.
Keeping cast and crew safe
The board has also approved a set of COVID protocols that better reflect our understanding of how the virus is spread. The most significant policy change is that all volunteers must provide proof of full vaccination in order to participate in in-person activities.
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Auditions set for An Ideal Husband, a modernized comedy of manners
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The Pentacle Theatre Governing Board and the What's Next Workgroup are please to announce our first virtual online production, an original adaptation of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband.
Emily Adela Loberg (last seen as Julia in our 2018 production of 1984) has modernized and reset the Oscar Wilde's comedy in present-day Washington, D.C.
Loberg has reduced the length of the play and the number of characters for this Zoom production.
Audition details
When: Online auditions via Zoom at 2 p.m. May 2. Contact the director if you have a schedule conflict.
Where: Virtual auditions will be held online using the Zoom meeting platform and app. Contact the director for a link and password to the Zoom meeting.
Casting: Nine actors able to play various roles. Actors are encouraged to audition for any role they feel drawn to regardless of the character's gender or age. For a full list of roles, please visit our auditions page.
Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.
About the adapted play
Roberta Chiltern has a successful political career and a happy marriage with her wife, Gertrude. However, all that is threatened when Lawrence Cheveley shows up with proof of a secret act of political corruption in Roberta’s past. If she does not promise to publicly support a fraudulent pipeline scheme that Lawrence has invested in, he will reveal her scandalous secret. Unsure what to do, Roberta turns to her friend, Arden Goring, for help and advice. Arden attempts to sort out their friends’ problems while also navigating a flirtation with Roberta’s sister, Mabel.
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Yellowface and whitewashing in theater and film |
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In the last issue of this newsletter, I shared some ways that anti-Asian hate shows up in our country.
Before the Atlanta murders, the decision of the Seuss estate to cease printing several children's books for their depictions of ugly racial stereotypes was at the center of a debate about "cancel culture." Theater and film must also have these painful conversation about how their artforms have contributed to the marginalization and erasure of Asians and Pacific Islanders.
"Yellowface" -- the practice of casting white actors to play Asian or Pacific Islander characters using prosthetics, tape and skin darkening makeup -- is longstanding. It contributes to stereotypes about those groups and deprives AAPI actors a chance to perform.
"Whitewashing" refers to the practice of casting white people as characters who are non-white (or whose race is not relevant to the part) over equally talented Black, indigenous or other people of color. John Oliver breaks it down in this NSFW* clip (*not suitable for work).
To add insult to injury, casting directors will often say "we cast the best person who auditioned" or make other empty excuses rather than acknowledging that yellowface or whitewashing reflects bias.
Read on for more about these harmful practices
In film:
You don't have to go back to last century, white actors continue to play AAPI characters on film:
Many stage productions similarly stumble:
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The King and I featured Yul Brynner, a Russian American, and Michael Kermoyan, a white Californian, as the "king." Many productions cast white performers in "yellowface" in order to produce this musical.
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Jonathan Pryce in heavy makeup, played a French-Vietnamese pimp in the London and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon.
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The Mikado, is problematic in its mockery of Japanese people and culture and its traditional casting of white people in yellowface.
Read more online:
Printed word:
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We're powered by volunteers through the pandemic |
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Alan Kuhnly, an unsung hero of our groundskeeping efforts, tends the grass along 52nd Ave. among other critical chores that keep things looking good. Recently, he brought his chainsaw and left this tidy reminder of his commitment to the theater. |
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It was uncharacteristically busy at the theater Wednesday. I had two (fully vaccinated) volunteers in the lobby. Laura Davis has been a reliable helper in the office (and on many committees and projects). Her son Tony volunteered to clean the bathrooms and the lobby. It smells wonderfully clean now.
Outside, Tony Zandol and his sister Francie, also fully vaccinated, did some spring cleaning in the flower beds.
If you would like to join in cleaning up after the storm, let me know!
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Tony on the ramp and just one of the many hidden jewels revealed by the cleanup. |
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Stay safe and well. Mask, maintain distance and get your vaccine as soon as you can. |
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P.S. If you haven't renewed your membership for 2021, please consider doing so here. |
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PO Box 8271, Salem OR 97303
Office Phone: 503-485-4300
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