FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce A. Hostetler
Tel: 541-601-9841
Email: bruce@compassworks.org

 “FERAL”, A NEW PLAY EXPLORING HOMELESSNESS IN PORTLAND, PREMIERS JANUARY 24

You Cannot Ignore Someone Whose Story You Know

 “Feral”, an original theatrical work by Portland playwright Bruce A. Hostetler, highlights the stories of individuals and families who struggle to retain their self-identity and humanity in the face of the impersonal generalizations of housed society. “Feral” questions the common assumption that people experiencing homelessness are driven to fulfill basic needs in any way possible. The project also seeks to empower those who are experiencing homelessness by providing a medium to tell their stories.

Drawn from over 600 interviews with Portlanders experiencing homelessness, the play’s content was shaped through community readings and feedback sessions at several organizations that serve Portland’s homeless and transitional communities, including the Bud Clark Commons, JOIN and p:ear. Members of the community – both homeless and housed – are invited to provide feedback on the work following the performances. Upon completion of the collaborative writing and premiere performance, the “Feral” script will be offered to advocacy groups and municipalities throughout the USA and Canada.

“Feral” is produced by CompassWorks, a Portland company dedicated to the creation and production of powerful professional narrative theatre drawn from the stories of overlooked and isolated populations. We believe that understanding each other’s stories will smooth our interactions, diffuse some of our tensions, and increase our ability to live together in community. CompassWorks is founded on the idea that everyone has a powerful and important story, and that it is impossible to ignore someone whose story you know. By telling stories of real individuals and families through “Feral”, CompassWorks aims to increase respect and understanding between Portland’s housed and unhoused citizens. By increasing empathy, we can move further toward a community based on understanding and mutual respect.

“Feral” performances will take place at the Bob White Theater Warehouse, 6423 SE Foster Road in Portland, Oregon on January 24, 25, 26, 31 and February 1-2, 2013 at 7:30 pm and January 27 and February 3 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15, $12 for students and seniors and available at www.boxofficetickets.com. Directed by Asae Dean and presented under the auspices of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance’s Fertile Ground festival of new works, this production of was made possible by grants from the Regional Arts and Culture Council and the Kinsman Foundation, as well as generous support from Portland area donors.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with Bruce A. Hostetler, please call 541-601-9841 or email bruce@compassworks.org.