Teens write, organize, edit, and direct their stories—the entire rehearsal process.
We differ from other youth organizations because of our focus. We allow underserved youth to tell their stories through song, dance, or comedy. They engage wherever they feel most passionate. Performing, working behind the scenes, or telling their story through drawing. RP asks youth what they would like to learn within the story process, then makes it possible.
The process of writing and staging their stories strengthens their ability to connect. Audiences then gain an understanding of children who are usually seen as “acting out.” It also provides a broader range of universal life skills.
Raise morale by providing youth with an educational experience. Encouraging them to continue the path toward higher education.
Enhance their educational development. By engaging in group-skill building, children establish communication and interpersonal skills.
Find a voice. With bold honesty, children build resiliency. In a nurturing class setting, children can be themselves without judgment.
Improve their writing and project development skills through the staging of their stories. This improves their writing, reading, and public speaking. Useful for any future professional.
Connect with the community. We are opening up a dialogue with the audience with talkbacks after performances. We give voice where there has been silence.
As the program grows each year, so does the cultural access. Cultural diversity and artistic expression promote understanding, support, and connectedness throughout the community.
Our leaders, guest artists, and board include people of all backgrounds. Our youth-board diversifies the ages of our leadership team.
Eric Simons is a writer, improviser, teacher, producer, and Cool Dad™ who has been accumulating comedy and storytelling experience over the last 20+ years—from all across the contiguous US and THREE CANADIAN PROVINCES! A firm believer in bringing your personal experience to the stage or the page, and he seeks to help marginalized populations unlock their truth through his teaching (Kickstand’s BIPOC Comedy Program) and you can see him leading by example with his improv troupe Broke Gravy.
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has performed in London, Edinburgh, and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. She’s done theatre in NYC, Seattle, SF Bay Area, N. California, and Portland and several independent films in NYC and Portland. Her most recent role was Death/Beggarwoman in Blood Wedding at Shaking the Tree Theatre. In addition to acting, she has taught acting,improvisation, and has written, devised,and directed projects in the US and Great Britain. She is currently preparing a solo production.
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A local actor, he graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts. Roles he’s played are Casimar in the Bag &Baggage production of Red Velvet and Mario in the premiere reading of Christopher Oscar Peña’s new play Our Orange Sky at Profile Theatre and at Milagro Theatre in their world premiere production of City Without Altar. Thomas hopes to help others find the spark of creation his drama teacher nurtured in him when he was younger.
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Andrea began choreographing and performing as a young age. As an adult she danced 11seasons with Northwest Dance Project and choreographed for the project company and students. Passionate about storytelling, she has self-produced three solo shows that combine dance and physical theater. She will present her latest work, You Can’t Be Serious, in November 2023. She also teaches and choreographs contemporary dance and is on faculty at Pacific University.
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Rae’s passion for storytelling comes from his innate desire to nurture human connection and foster curiosity about, and compassion for, one another. With a BFA in Acting, Rae’s most prominent artistic expression is submerging himself into imaginary scenarios, performing in stage productions,to investigate the human psyche and ways we can delve into mental health,creating tools to interact with ourselves and one another with self-worth and integrity.
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When not ironing her husband’s tube socks or flossing her cat’s teeth, Myronie loves watching others succeed and fail at improv. She has her Master's in Spiritual Development and when not acting, loves to direct productions for local theaters. Her last role on stage was playing Auoda in Around the World in 80 Days just before quarantine started.. You might also spot her in the occasional commercial thanks to her agent. Her greatest joy comes from helping people finding their own voice.
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Is the Executive Director and founder of Rogue Pack. She holds a BFA in Theatre from NYU and a Masters in Education from San Francisco State. Ann has taught children and adults throughout the world, including Spain, Chile, South Africa, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. She has taught storytelling workshops and performances for underserved populations in the Portland Metro area since 2009. She served on the board of Soroptimist International and Echo Theater. Currently she sits on the board of the SMBA.
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