LivePDX
May 7, 2008

Not Your Typical "Tempest"

by Mindy Dillard

For: Give opened last weekend at the Mississippi Ballroom in North Portland. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, seven local actresses explore forgiveness with Cindy William’s Guiterrez’s original script (created in collaboration with the cast) and Tony Fuemmeler’s direction.

Being a theatre person, I like modern adaptations of classic texts (and I’ve acted in my share). I’m especially excited about Insight Out Theater Collective’s work for their fearless exploration of tricky social themes. Last year’s Yellow Boat, based on the true story of the playwright David Saar's son, Benjamin, getting HIV through a blood transfusion and dying before his ninth birthday, was simple and stunning. Plus the famous Wade McCollum is one of their founding members.

Who is forgiveness for? What is the biggest barrier to forgiveness, what is the hardest thing to forgive? These are issues that this innovative production seeks to address. In it, Shakespeare’s mythical island is traded for an abandoned warehouse. Prospero is exchanged for Priscilla and the rest of the all-female cast act as Ariel and the other characters.

Spurred on by a $5,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Insight Out’s collaborative generation process for this production had included educational outreach at Da Vinci Middle School and Franklin High School exploring the caveats of forgiveness.

Insight’s Out’s mission statement is impressive: “Our vision is to inspire social change.” Check out what this vibrant force in PDX’s theatre scene has been working on recently, a Shakespearean play turned seven-woman ensemble piece.

Insight Out Theatre Collective presents For:Give thru May 17 at the Mississippi Ballroom (833 N Shaver St), Thursday - Saturday at 8:00pm, with an additional 2:00pm show on May 17 (free for students, $5 for everyone else). Tickets are $15, available at 503-493-8070 or online.