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Nicole Yoba and Vinnie Duyck in Living Out at the Portland Actors Conservatory
on the fringe circuit, exemplify this
goal: “We want our students to view
themselves as actor-producers, to
say, ‘I can have a hand in creating my
own destiny’ through original works
and/or solo performance—to craft a
piece they can then perform as they
enter the marketplace.”
Success Through Support
At Oregon’s Portland Actors
Conservatory, the emphasis is on
putting theory into practice—and
when it comes to doing this through
original work, students receive
outstanding encouragement and
feedback. The only professionally
accredited two-year acting program
in the state, PAC’s artistic director
Beth Harper founded the school “as
a home for wayward actors,” she
explains. “My mission has always
been driven by the work—that’s
my educational impetus.” Harper
and her faculty of master teachers
immerse student actors in a wellrounded
curriculum, including a
full slate of performance instruction
plus stage management, breath and