Theater lover: Jo Dodge's Acting Workshop to resume June 11

Jo Dodge's Acting Workshop to resume June 11

Greetings!

The Pentacle Theatre Governing Board is thrilled to announce the return of Jo Dodge's Acting Workshop beginning this June.

"At long last, we're back!" said a delighted Dodge. "I want to pick up where we left off in our explorations of the human spirit."

We're sure that Jo's students will be thrilled to return to her classroom. New students are also welcome to register.

Students participate in improvisation and scene work in a safe, supportive and non-competitive environment.

Dodge said that people new to the class, "can expect to join in sharing the art of community."

The details

When: June 12 through August 28, Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (an afternoon session may be added if more than 10 people register).

Where: Pentacle Theatre's auditorium, 324 52nd Ave. NW, Salem

Cost: $105

Requirements: all enrollees must provide proof of vaccination to participate and comply with other COVID protocols established by the theater. Registrants must be 18 years of age or older.

Auditions tomorrow!

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.

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.

Submit your audition form by 8 p.m., Saturday, May 1.

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.

More history: Redface in theater and film

Just as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been harmed by the practices of "yellowface" and "whitewashing," indigenous people have experienced the effects of "redface."

The stereotyping has recently come to the fore as the NFL team representing Washington DC recently dropped the slur , The term Redskin had become a pejorative, fueled by American film depictions of indigenous people as "savages."

The practice of redface transcends face paint. It is reflected in clothing and speech.

Hollywood saw many stars play Native Americans in face paint and wigs:

Rock Hudson in Winchester '73.
Harry Brandon in The Searchers, playing a murderous "chief," replete with feathers, fur and "war paint."
Burt Lancaster in Apache.
Audrey Hepburn in The Unforgiven.
Johnny Depp in The Lone Ranger.

Other white actors playing Native Americans on film include Elvis Presley, Burt Reynolds, Victor Mature and Anthony Quinn. Television provides many more examples.

"There is no excuse for Redface. No matter the purpose or intent, it’s dehumanizing and turns Native Americans into cartoonish characters rather than real people worthy of rights and respect." ~Maddie Easley, member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma