Before I moved to Portland I was warned that locals might not be that welcoming. I didn’t experience any xenophobia, but bumper stickers and billboards around town made it clear Californains were not welcome.
Years later I was invited to be part of a festival called 30 Days Notice in 2002 and decided to create and perform a character on stage versus in film and dig into this still lingering anti-California animosity.
Bradlee Simmons was a dot com refugee from the Bay Area who experienced backlash for moving to Portland. For the performance I shared my story and then moved the audience around the room geographically based on where they went to high school.
Years later I was invited to be part of a festival called 30 Days Notice in 2002 and decided to create and perform a character on stage versus in film and dig into this still lingering anti-California animosity.
Bradlee Simmons was a dot com refugee from the Bay Area who experienced backlash for moving to Portland. For the performance I shared my story and then moved the audience around the room geographically based on where they went to high school.
When 90% of the audience revealed they weren’t from Portland I turned on the remaining 10%, in the far stage-left corner of the theater, and asked them what they wanted us to do? All move home? And destroy the local economy?
I later performed the piece at the Main Branch of the Portland Library and the inaugural PICA TBA festival with my real life partner Susan Beal performing as my character’s life partner Francis.
Being part of the first TBA festival was life changing and really started my career as a performing artist with a capital P and A. Although I’m not going to capitalize them here.
I also made a 16mm film as/about Bradlee that toured to film festivals.
I later performed the piece at the Main Branch of the Portland Library and the inaugural PICA TBA festival with my real life partner Susan Beal performing as my character’s life partner Francis.
Being part of the first TBA festival was life changing and really started my career as a performing artist with a capital P and A. Although I’m not going to capitalize them here.
I also made a 16mm film as/about Bradlee that toured to film festivals.
