(Hillsboro, Ore.) – In collaboration with Bag&Baggage Productions, the Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St., Hillsboro) presents a cozy winter evening of hot cider, cookies, and riveting stories told by professional actors on Tuesday,December 18 at 7 p.m. As part of the Walters’ Creative Connections Speaker Series, Bag&Baggage actors Cassie Greer, Mandana Khoshnevisan, and Lawrence Siulagi will each share magical tales from their own heritage and traditions: Croatian, Persian, and Samoan, respectively. This live theatrical reading is a holiday favorite—guests are encouraged to arrive early for a seat. The event is free, open to the public and all ages.
Cassie Greer is currently based in Portland, Ore., where she works on a variety of stage, film, commercial, and voiceover projects. Greer teaches in the Conservatory program at Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy; performs as a core member of No Filter Improv; and is the Associate Artistic Director at Bag&Baggage Productions, where she also acts, directs, and runs the Emerging Artist Program.
Mandana Khoshnevisan has appeared in the Bag&Baggage productions of “Romeo & Juliet/Layla & Majnun”, and “Death and the Maiden.” In Portland, she’s recently been in such shows as “Trail to Oregon,” “Tesla City Stories,” “The Rocky Horror Show,”“Reefer Madness,”and “Die Hard: The Musical Parody.” Since moving to Portland in 2013, she has taught at Northwest Children’s Theater, and improvised on the mainstage at the Brody Theater, Curious Comedy, and the Funhouse Lounge, where she is a Director of Improv. Last year, she published her first book, “Managed Mischief,” about improvisation and creativity.
Lawrence Siulagi found a new home with Bag&Baggage Theatre when he was cast in “Romeo & Juliet/Layla & Majnun” as The Sayyid. Previously, he was in Portland Actor’s Ensemble’s production of “Antony & Cleopatra.” Lawrence is also a resident sound designer with Milagro Theatre. An accomplished projection designer, Lawrence created projections for “Óyé Oyá” and sound and projections for “Not My Revolution” at the Theatertage Festival Hanau & Bremer Shakespeare Theatre in Germany.
This program is part of the Creative Connections Speaker Series at the Walters, a series of talks and performances by members of the creative community. Past events have included storytelling, artist’s talks, lectures, literary readings, discussions, and more. These free events take place throughout the year and invite members of the community to spark their creativity and curiosity as they make new creative connections.
