PRP’s latest Community Voices spotlight features PassinArt: A Theatre Company.

For 40 years, PassinArt has produced African American theatre in Oregon. Its mission is to entertain, educate, and celebrate African American culture while addressing community issues. The theatre company features the works of emerging and experienced playwrights & directors while providing a unique cultural training ground in theatre arts for African American artists and artists of color. This training ground includes interactive masterclasses taught by the top professionals in the industry (local and national), mentoring. internships, leadership development, and opportunities to showcase learned experiences.

William (Bill) Earl Ray, Sami Yacob-Andrus and Iyania McClendon spoke with PRP about this dynamic cultural platform. Bill is the PassinArt resident artistic associate and director with nearly 45 years of experience directing and acting in theatres around the country; both Sami and Iyania have participated in PA productions and educational opportunities.  Through their own personal reflections, these three talented individuals gave us a glimpse into the importance of PA’s mission and the organizations desire to increase the visibility of emerging and experienced African American and multicultural artists, playwrights, and directors to collaborate and highlight their work.

We’re proud to be alongside PassinArt (and about 230+ other stellar nonprofits) for 2022’s Willamette Week Give!Guide fundraising campaign as part of the Creative Expression category – both of our organizations focus on supporting, creating and/or celebrating arts & culture in the Portland area.

Take a listen (below) to our CV episode with Bill, Sami and Iyania and visit PassinArt’s Give!Guide campaign to support their continued efforts to elevate and educate.   (And while you’re here on PRP.FM, feel free to tap that big red heart (or click here) and help us continue to bring our listeners Community Voices and so much more)

 

 

Veronica Bisesti
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