Willamette STAGE Company looks to develop talent

CORVALLIS - This summer, the mid-valley's local professional theater company Willamette STAGE will turn up the lights on a new act in its development, the creation of an actors studio program called STAGE U.

"It's always been in the back of my mind as something that could be an adjunct for a theater company," Willamette STAGE Company artistic director Robert Hirsh said. "From my point of view, it's part of an educational mission that is part of the company's mission,"

Hirsh brought former Linn-Benton Community College theater instructor Brian Newberg on to head up the program.

The offer came at a fortuitous time for Newberg, who had learned earlier this spring that his position as theater instructor at LBCC, would be cut at the end of 2008-09 school year.

"With all the budget crisis mechanics that have been going on at the college, it's been a tough situation," Newberg said. "They had decided not to renew my contract and that they were basically slashing the program."

Newberg, who had been with LBCC for two years, has more than 35 years of experience as an actor, director, script consultant and teacher, and founded and operated a private acting studio in San Francisco before moving to Oregon.

H was considering starting a similar studio in the Corvallis or Albany area.

"A lot of my LBCC students wanted to keep working with me," Newberg said. "It's been disheartening. … Bottom line is, I'll find a way to make a living because I've been doing this for a long time, but I'm really concerned about my students because they don't have a program. …. For those that want to stay in the area and continue their development this will provide them an avenue."

"Putting an acting studio under the banner of Willamette STAGE Company was a no-brainer," Newberg said.

Newberg and Hirsh envision "a studio for all levels of development."

It will finally create a way for earnest, but inexperienced, actors to get involved in the company and prepare for future roles, according to Hirsh, who looks forward to the larger casts for future productions developed from ensemble work in the studio.

STAGE U will also provide a chance for veteran actors to work on specific challenges for new roles, according to Newberg.

"There is always something new you need to master," Newberg said.

"The challenge never ends," agreed Hirsh.

In addition to workshops for actors of all levels, Hirsh intends to sponsor educational opportunities for theater patrons under the STAGE U program, such as pub chats on subjects related to theater and screenings of plays adapted into film.

Newberg and Hirsh are already working to pull together a production of Sam Shepard's "True West" with participants from this summer's workshops to present as a bonus show during the "STAGE Fest" next September.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: STAGE U Studio

WHO: Brian Newberg, MFA, associate artistic director of Willamette STAGE Company.

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, July 11-Sept. 26 (12-week term).

WHERE: Corvallis High School Black Box Theatre, 1400 N.W. Buchanan Ave., Corvallis.

COST: $30 per session ($360 total) or $325 with prepayment for all 12 sessions.

INFO: 707-291-5755 or www.willamettestage.org.