My experience working with Shae was over a 5-month period while we co-developed a highly conceptualized theatre production using the medieval play Everyman at Portland Community College, where I serve as program chair.
Shae and I collaborated on an approach that included having numerous characters portrayed by large puppets to convey allegorical characters (Kin, Friendship, Beauty, etc.) These were designed by Shae to be built by the students who were cast in their respective roles in the play. This was a fairly complex plan that would not have been possible without Shae’s continually
positive and innovative approach to the limited budgets, variability in student’s schedules, and the many intricate tasks involved. This was especially true of the aspects that included training mostly unskilled students to create the puppetry required to make the production’s concept a reality. In short, Shae didn’t merely dream up a visual approach, she had her hands on every piece whenever her innovative skill set was required. And yet she was also remarkably comfortable allowing the students to vary her design or vision when appropriate.
The practical aspects mixed with Shae’s conceptual (and occasionally abstract) creations was a marvel for me to observe, and a delight to our audiences to witness. I consider it among the top of my list of highlights during my 35-year career directing plays across many genres, styles, and cultural influences. I’ve never been a part of anything like it since or before. I have every faith that Shae’s participation with students will inspire them to reach higher and deeper into their own imaginations, innovations and potentials. I recommend her without reservation, and with great admiration.
Please contact me if you wish to verify or know more about my experiences with Shae.
Patrick Tangredi
Portland Community College Theatre Arts Chair
Patrick.tangredi (at) pcc.edu
Shae and I collaborated on an approach that included having numerous characters portrayed by large puppets to convey allegorical characters (Kin, Friendship, Beauty, etc.) These were designed by Shae to be built by the students who were cast in their respective roles in the play. This was a fairly complex plan that would not have been possible without Shae’s continually
positive and innovative approach to the limited budgets, variability in student’s schedules, and the many intricate tasks involved. This was especially true of the aspects that included training mostly unskilled students to create the puppetry required to make the production’s concept a reality. In short, Shae didn’t merely dream up a visual approach, she had her hands on every piece whenever her innovative skill set was required. And yet she was also remarkably comfortable allowing the students to vary her design or vision when appropriate.
The practical aspects mixed with Shae’s conceptual (and occasionally abstract) creations was a marvel for me to observe, and a delight to our audiences to witness. I consider it among the top of my list of highlights during my 35-year career directing plays across many genres, styles, and cultural influences. I’ve never been a part of anything like it since or before. I have every faith that Shae’s participation with students will inspire them to reach higher and deeper into their own imaginations, innovations and potentials. I recommend her without reservation, and with great admiration.
Please contact me if you wish to verify or know more about my experiences with Shae.
Patrick Tangredi
Portland Community College Theatre Arts Chair
Patrick.tangredi (at) pcc.edu
