Portland Actors Conservatory Graduate Showcase Launches First Fulltime Crop

Ten diverse actors will culminate two years of fulltime professional actor training with a Graduate Showcase at the Portland Actors Conservatory May 18-21, 2011 at 7:30pm at Portland Actors Conservatory's Firehouse Theatre, 1436 SW Montgomery St., Portland, Ore., 97201. Tickets are available online at http://www.actorsconservatory.com or by calling (503) 274- 1717; all tickets are $15.

"As the first class to graduate from PAC's fulltime professional day program, these students represent a turning point in the Conservatory's growth," said Beth Harper, artistic director. "They're a product of taking our infrastructure to the next level with simultaneous day classes for First- and Second-Year students, and the intensity and focus it's added to their training shows."

Following a rigorous course of study accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater, these men and women of all ages will perform scenes and monologues of their own choosing, mentored by local actor, PAC faculty member and Portland Playhouse company member Cristi Miles.

PAC's Class of 2011 includes international imports such as Anna Xenokrati, originally from Greece, Anika Radloff from Germany, and Susan Nelle from Australia. Closer to home, Nicole Bensching came to PAC from Pendleton, Ore., while Sam DeRoest and Patrick Roth enrolled from Portland. Lionel McCann came from small-town Montana for his professional training; Ashland residents Ty Boice and Juliana Wheeler drove North from Ashland, Ore., and Jessica Anselmo travelled from Las Vegas, Nev.

The graduating students invite local theater, film and television professionals to the graduate showcase to introduce themselves to the professional community. Portland Actors Conservatory has been graduating conservatory-trained classes since 1994.

Prominent PAC alumni include Brooke Blanchard, Spencer Conway, Mario Calcagno, Skeeter Greene, Joe Healy, Andrea Alton, Siobhan Charlesworth Caverly, Leann Littrell, Gilberto Martin del Campo, Lauren Bair, Nathan Crosby, Maureen Porter, and many other actors working in all aspects of acting, theatre, film and event production nationwide.

ABOUT PORTLAND ACTORS CONSERVATORY
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Portland Actors Conservatory is the premiere school for professional actor training in the Pacific Northwest. Artistic director Beth Harper leads the Conservatory's multiple offerings including its fulltime, Two Year Professional Training Program, ongoing Studio Class offerings, and the Summer on Stage youth theatre program. Portland Actors Conservatory provides the highest standard in actor training with distinguished faculty including Beth Harper, Connor Kerns, Philip Cuomo, and Michael Mendelson among others. The Conservatory is located near Portland, Ore.'s City Center in the historic Firehouse Theatre, housing an upstairs studio space as well an intimate 70-seat theatre. Portland Actors Conservatory annually produces a three show season featuring its second year students working alongside professional guest artists, in addition to two student showcases. Portland Actors Conservatory is Oregon's only independent professional actor training school accredited with the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

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