The Hatchery is a breeding ground for new work that centers music and movement.
2024 marks the launch year of this nontraditional new works development model, thanks to funding from the NEA and individual contributions!
The Hatchery allows Many Hats to provide a weeklong workshop for individuals or ensembles developing new works of theater in which music and movement are integral to the storytelling of the piece. We are specifically engaging with projects that serve historically underrepresented playwrights and ensembles.
We offer paid stipends for a cast of up to five people to explore, dream and dare over the course of 30 hours in a room together, culminating in a workshop-style public performance that is free and open to the public.
Prior to that, we offer pre-production customized to support whatever the needs of the project are. From sourcing core collaborators to stage management, Many Hats provides the dramaturgical, technical, design, and peer support designed to meet artists’ specific creative and access needs as they test their visions and develop work.
Many Hats will present two projects at The Hatchery 2024:
WHY and HOW Are Not in the Picture, by Monique Holt - written in American Sign Language for a cast of d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing actors. More info coming soon!
New Work To Be Announced - to be selected from proposals submitted by emerging theater artists. In 2025, an application will be available online for any qualifying projects to apply.
The Hatchery takes place August 20-25, 2024 with two public performances on August 25, times TBD.
Rehearsals and performances will take place at The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway, T-100, Portland, OR 97205.
Would you like to be notified about all the Hatchery news? Sign up for our mailing list and be in on the latest news.
For more information view our press release in Press.
Great Wide Open was a co-Production with Portland Playhouse.
April 12th – May 7th, 2023
By Jessica Wallenfels
[adapted from the novel Into the Great Wide Open by Kevin Canty]
co-directed by Jessica Wallenfels and Charles Grant
In a world of confusion two teenagers find hope and solace in each other.
World-weary Kenny wants to escape the nightmare of his family life when his world collides with troubled, fiercely independent Junie’s and he finds the refuge he’s been seeking.
Seniors in high school, and on the brink of possibility, Kenny and Junie take us on an intense, messy and confusing journey that evokes the heady emotional truth of young love, and confronts the hypocrisy of the American dream head on.
Exciting, beautiful and full of life lessons that teach us to speak our truth out loud.
Image and description courtesy of Portland Playhouse. Original Artwork by Paola De La Cruz.
A sneak peek behind the scenes of the rehearsal process of Great Wide Open. Video by Reina Solunaya, thumbnail image by Shawnte Sims.
A community devised, site-specific dance film
In the three weeks following the election, 20+ female and nonbinary artists created short dance expressions of their experiences of isolation, personal agency and confronting the unknown at a time of peak 2020 tumult. Initially inspired by Many Hats’ 2007 piece REST ROOM, this piece continues our inquiry into the issues of identity and intimacy that occur in the privacy of bathrooms, relocated from a public space to the intimacy of our own homes. Collaborators’ contributions, compiled into a short film by director Lava Alapai and scored by Yawa Amenta, bring us into their private spaces to share experiences of grief, anger, triumph and absurdity, often kept behind closed doors. With an eye toward documenting a period of heightened uncertainty and asking questions about the possibility of a shared reality, THE NOVEMBER PROJECT takes aim at healing the collective traumas of 2020. The show debuted Sunday, February 7 through the Fertile Ground Festival, 2021.
Check out the November Project Fertile Ground Content Collection in the top nav bar, or go straight to to Dancing in Bathrooms for a history of the project dating back to 1995.
Donate or subscribe to support keeping this work free
Read about us in “A room with a redemptive view” by Bobby Bermea, featured in Oregon Arts Watch
Creative Team Bios | Performer Bios
Creative Team
Director and lead deviser Beth Thompson
Filmmaker Lava Alapai
Composer/Performer Yawa Amenta
Choreographer Jessica Wallenfels
Performers
Delaney Barbour
Ingrid Carlson
Sarah JG Chenoweth
Trisha Fey Lazo Elizarde-Miller
Subashini Ganesan
Nicole Gladwin
Madeline Harmon
Ash Heffernan
Jessica Hemingway
JoAnn Johnson
Paige Jones
Breydon Little
Amber Lux Archer
Kate Mura
Heather Nichelle
Janelle Rae
Alex Ramirez de Cruz
Rozlyn Reynolds
Kailey Rhodes
Yolanda Suarez
Beth Thompson
Jessica Wallenfels
Barbie Wu
Janelle Rae; photo by Beth Thompson
Janelle Rae; photo by Beth Thompson
conceived, written and performed by Charles Grant
a co-production between Many Hats Collaboration and Portland Playhouse
Inspired by recent (and not so recent) events, Matter follows the quest of one young Black man looking to find answers to police brutality and gun violence. Determined to save Black lives, he seeks to sort out the noise of opposing viewpoints and social division with a methodical examination of facts. As his theatrical investigation uncovers patterns of senseless violence and clues lead him to the likelihood of his own death, the reality and tragedy of lives lost begins to truly hit home. Watch Matter’s feature on Good Day Oregon.
If you appreciate viewing Matter, we encourage you to visit the websites of the other artists, donate, share or sign up for newsletters with either of the two co-producers as well as Don’t Shoot PDX. This Black-led community organization, founded by Teressa Raiford in 2014, advocates for accountability to create social change.
Check out MATTER: Conversations behind the scenes (left) for an insider’s look at the forces that shaped the making of this work. Or, catch some excerpts on KBOO’s Stage and Studio podcast on Matter.
Matter is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Ronni LaCroute, Virginia Belt and Curt Frye, and Charlotte Rubin.
Thank you to our media sponsor, Oregon Artswatch.
Matter
co-produced by Portland Playhouse and Many Hats Collaboration
conceived, written and performed by Charles Grant
film by Tamera Lyn
directed by James Dixon
movement direction by Jessica Wallenfels
lighting design by Thyra Hartshorn
sound by Sharath Patel
Charles Grant is an actor, producer, and teaching artist originally from southern California, now based in Portland, OR. He has worked with various companies over the years: Portland Center Stage, Fuse Theatre Ensemble, Broadway Rose, Portland Playhouse, Confrontation Theatre, Staged!, and Milagro. Selected credits and more at thecharlesgrant.com. Gratitude and love to Many Hats Collaboration, Portland Playhouse, and everyone on the Matter team for their belief and bravery in bringing this project to life. May we all use our power, privilege, and platforms to listen, engage, and truly make this world a better place.
On September 17, 2020 MATTER writer Charles Grant, James Dixon, Tamera Lyn, Board Member from Don't Shoot PDX Fyndi Jermany, joined in a conversation hosted by Executive Producer from MediaRites, Dmae Roberts. They discuss their experience working on the filmed theatre piece and delve into gun violence, violence against Black bodies and why we need, but hope someday we won't need, works like MATTER.
Special limited engagement co-production with Bag & Baggage Productions February 2020
An aging mother’s health teeters on the brink. Her adult daughter scrambles to find footing in her new role as caregiver. Death pounds at the door and they both wonder, could someone this pissed off actually be dying? The Undertaking portrays end-of-life care using theater, dance and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2, played live by Northwest Piano Trio musicians Esther Shim, Susan McDaniel and Hannah Hillebrand. Presented as part of the Fertile Ground Festival of New Work January-February, 2019. See a review of The Undertaking in Broadway World.
With sponsorship from Michelle’s PIanos
The Undertaking
Conceived and directed by Jessica Wallenfels
With text by Emily Gregory
Created in collaboration with actors JoAnn Johnson and Beth Thompson
Musicians - Hannah Hillebrand, Heather Mastel-Lipson, Susan McDaniel and Esther Shim
Scenic design - Kaye Blankenship
Costume design - Jenny Ampersand
This piece was originally presented with generous support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
Actor photos by Gary Norman feature Beth Thompson and JoAnn Johnson.
Northwest Piano Trio photo by John Green. L-R Heather Mastel-Lipson, Hannah Hillebrand, Susan McDaniel.
Go behind the scenes of "The Undertaking," presented at Bag & Baggage Productions, 2020. Filmed and edited by Alec Lugo.
The Undertaking portrays end-of-life care using theater, dance and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2, played live in 2019 by Northwest Piano Trio musicians Heather Mastel-Lipson, Susan McDaniel and Hannah Hillebrand. Video by Ethan Swihart with footage by Chloe Jarnac.
Winner of Three 2015 Drammy Awards
Best Production of a Play, Many Hats Collaboration + Coho Productions
Outstanding Achievement in Piano Performance, Eric Nordin
Best Young Peformer, Elisha Henig
This visceral, sonically vivid new performance piece brings the classical piano music of Rachmaninoff to life through cutting edge physical theatre spun around a classic romance with magical elements of puppetry and mask. The power of music to connect, to ignite, and to heal weaves through this original fable by some of Portland’s most inventive and cherished collaborating theatre-artists. (Photos by Rachelle Hacmac unless otherwise noted).
"utterly charming" - Willamette Week
"a magical performance that blurs lines between music, dance, theater...a stunning and inspired performance piece" - Oregonlive
Cast: Kira Batcheller, Chris Harder, Elisha Henig, Brian Demar Jones, Matt Kerrigan, Garland Lyons, Jamie Rea, and Beth Thompson.
Creative team:
Scenic Designers - Alan Schwanke and Ted Jonathan Gold
Lighting Designer - Kaye Blankenship
Costume Designer - Bobby Brewer-Wallin
Properties Designer - Lauren Knapp
Mask Designer - Tony Fuemmeler
A classic album of epic proportion. An original story told through movement.
Conceived and created by Jessica Wallenfels
Arrangement, Composition and Music Direction by Eric Nordin
Choreographed in collaboration with Assistant Choreographer Erin Shannon and the cast
Set by Chris Rousseau
Lighting by Don Crossley
Costumes by kollodi
Sound by Annalise Albright
Cast
Dave Cole
Eilzabeth Klinger
Emilee Yaakola
Caitlin Upshaw
Tracy Turner
Rebecca Teran
Norman Wilson
Jeremy Sloan
Roxanne Stathos
Shea MacKinnon
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Performed at the Arena Stage of Theatre Vertigo
With support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council, the Puffin Foundation, the Heathman Hotel, and other donors
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Photos by Aaron C. Wong
Video by Nick Manci
Reel by Eric Nordin
The story of a turbulent but loving friendship inspired by Ann Patchett’s memoir.
Adapted and directed by Elizabeth Klinger
Sound assistance by Eric Ewing
Video by Lava Alapai
Created in collaboration with the cast
Cast
Betsy Cross
Joe Spencer
Jessica Wallenfels
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Performed at Shaking the Tree Studio, 2010 as part of the Fertile Ground Festival 2010
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Photos by Jessica Gleason
A site-specific physical theater piece exploring the female relationship to substance. Created using several in-depth interviews with drug-affected women for research and audio track.
Conceived and created by Jessica Wallenfels
2007
Produced by Kristan Seemel in association with Portland Center Stage
Sound Design and Direction by Annalise Albright-Woods
Music Composition by Matthew Marble
Production Design by Lava Alapai
Composed in collaboration with the cast
Cast
Ingrid Carlson
Nicole Gladwin
Jaime Flynn
Amelia Nesbit
Rozlyn “Skeeter” Reynolds
Paige Jones
Kate Mura
Danielle Ross
Yolanda Suarez
Beth Thompson
Jessica Wallenfels
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Performed in the women's restroom of the Gerding Armory Theatre
2006
Performed for "Devise and Conquer," JAW Festival
Cast
Paige Jones
Yolanda Suarez
Jessica Wallenfels
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Performed in a women's restroom at the World Trade Center
All photos by Lava Alapai
An comedic examination of multiculturalism through puppetry, dance and theater.
by Lava Alapai
Directed by Kristan Seemel
Set by Lava Alapai
Lighting by Tony Fuemmeler
Costumes by Betsy Cross
Sound by Annalise Albright
Props by Drew Danhorn
Choreographed by Jessica Wallenfels in collaboration with dancers Amelia Nesbitt, Andrea Harmon, Clara Hillier and Erin Shannon
Cast
Lava Alapai
Jane Fellows
Yolanda Suarez
Jessica Wallenfels
Dancers
Amelia Nesbitt
Andrea Harmon
Clara Hillier
Erin Shannon
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Performed at Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 2006
With support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council
A clown tinted modern adaptation of The Hero With a Thousand Faces, where the journey is love.
Conceived and created by Jessica Wallenfels
Created in collaboration with the cast.
Cast
Bill Holznagel
Kristin Olson
Mary Rose
Timothy Scarrott.
Assistant direction by Mary Rose and Kali Eichen
Set by Jen LaMastra
Lighting by Lava Alapai
Costumes by kollodi
Sound by Annalise Albright
Original music compositions by Jennifer Wallenfels
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Performed at Tribe Theatre, 2005
A time-travelling, site specific piece exploring partnerships through the ages. Created for the "Devise and Conquer" presentation at the JAW Festival, "Stages" took audience members from an elevator to a balcony to the street below, affording glimpses of partnerships from a span of periods and pairings.
Conceived and created by Jessica Wallenfels
Composed in collaboration with the cast
Cast
John Ellingson
Jesse Young
Olga Sanchez
Damon Kupper
Arlene East
LaVerne Greene
With production support from Lava Alapai and kollodi
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Performed at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 2005
Photos by Lava Alapai
Many Hats Collaboration is generously supported by our subscribers and individual donors, as well as the Fred W. Fields and the Blitz Weinhard Funds of Oregon Community Foundation, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
We are also supported by funds from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon, and the National Endowment for the Arts.