Oregon 365 Women/SWAN Day Readings

Presented by Oregon Contemporary Theatre and Northwest Ten Festival

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Eugene

2:00 p.m. Open Public Reading – FREE – donations to support Ophelia’s Place.

Readings of short plays by Oregon women, written in 2015 as part of the 365 Women a Year Playwriting Project:

“Super Magic Pillow” (excerpt) by Merridawn Duckler of Portland, written about 8th century female Chinese Zen Buddhist Lingzhao, daughter of Layman P’ang.  Directed by Elizabeth Helman of Oregon State University and featuring Alycia Olivar as Lingzhao.

“The Ethel Party” by Lolly Ward of Portland, written about journalist Ethel Payne, African American White House correspondent for the Chicago Defender, 1951-78.  Directed by Rebecca Nachison and featuring Maya Thomas as Ethel.

“Amanda Transcending” by Connie Bennett of Eugene, written about Native American Amanda, who was incarcerated in the Alsea Sub-Agency in 1864, and the effort of Joanne Kittel of Yachats to commemorate her legacy in building a hiking trail.  Directed by Theresa May of University of Oregon, and featuring Melina Pastos as Amanda and Penta Swanson as Joanne.

“Galla in Purgatory” by Barbara Corrado Pope of Eugene, written about Galla Placidia, 392-450, who was the daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I and a major force if Roman politics all her life.  Directed by Nancy Hopps and featuring Ellen Chace as Galla.