Theater director to discuss state of theater in the Rogue Valley and beyond

Jessica Sage, artistic director of the Rogue Theater Company
November 18, 2022

Jefferson Center hosts event Sunday afternoon at the Historic Ashland Armory

The Jefferson Center will host a discussion of the state of theater and current issues facing the performing arts in the Rogue Valley and beyond on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 20.

Leading the discussion will be Jessica Sage, producing artistic director of the Rogue Theater Company.

The internet and other technologies have exerted a profound effect on performing arts in the last couple of decades. More recently, the pandemic has hit live performance hard. As live theater emerges from a difficult two years, new uncertainties and opportunities have arisen. This event will address how local artistic endeavors can thrive in the internet age.

How will the situation of the arts in the Rogue Valley evolve in the coming years? What kinds of audiences does live theater seek these days, and what do audiences seek from theater? How dependent is theater on local audiences and patrons in a relatively small area like the Rogue Valley, as opposed drawing in others from outside the area? What role should local governments, educational institutions, and businesses play in supporting performing arts?

Long active in theater here and elsewhere, Sage debuted her play “Fragments” at Rogue Theater Company. She has acted on stage throughout the U.S. and Europe. She was last seen performing as Mama in RTC’s production of “‘night, Mother.” Before that, she played Emma in “Annapurna” opposite Peter Alzado in Oregon Stage Works’ production, where she served as co-producing artistic director. She has taught acting, written plays, and produced stage works for nearly three decades, directing 35 theatrical productions, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Ashland High School.

Sage was awarded the “Extraordinary Theatre Artist” and “Ovation Award” from the California Educational Theatre Association, as well as a special Gubernatorial Commendation for her work with California Youth in Theatre.

This event is free and open to the public. It is set to run from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Jefferson Center’s space, suite 101, in the Old Armory Building, 208 Oak St., in Ashland.

This event is part of the Salon Series at The Jefferson Center, a Rogue Valley nonprofit focused on critical thinking using secular humanist values to understand and engage with issues important to our community. Go to thejeffcenter.org for more details on this and other events.

Source: Jefferson Center news release.Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.

Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

Related Posts...

Our Sponsors

Literary Arts Oregon Book Awards Portland Center Stage at the Armory Portland Oregon
Ashland Community Composting Ashland Oregon
Rogue Valley Symphony Visit the Grand Canyon Medford Grants Pass Oregon

Latest posts

Crossword: Rogue Climate #02

This week’s crossword: more rogue “climate.” Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next Friday’s crossword: “Eureka Moment #04.” More crosswords under the Culture menu.

Read More >

Our Sponsors

ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum Summer Camp Ashland Oregon
Conscious Design Build Ashland Oregon
Southern Oregon Summer Camps and Activities Directory Ashland Medford Oregon
Ashland Parks and Recreation Ashland Oregon

Explore More...

This week's crossword: more rogue "climate." Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next Friday's crossword: "Eureka Moment #04." More crosswords under the Culture menu.
Herbert Rothschild: Now that deep cuts in spending are planned for education, health, nutrition, housing, community development, environmental protection, energy assistance and so much else, it’s clear that our federal government itself is assaulting the people whom all its military spending is ostensibly meant to protect from assault.
A looming fiscal cliff could force Rogue Valley Transportation District to cut routes and endure an almost 50% drop in ridership in 2026. The local bus service, which serves most cities in Jackson County, has already instituted a strict fare enforcement policy, which wasn’t in place during the pandemic because it helped assist the homeless and unemployed.
An “IndyCon independent media celebration” is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19, in the Rogue River Room in Stevenson Union at Southern Oregon University. It’s part of Ashland's 20th annual Independent Media Week organized by Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice showcasing local independent media sources.
The Ashland Chamber's Spring Ashland Sidewalk Celebration returns this year from May 16-18. Community creatives and partners are invited to showcase their music, dance, crafts, and nonprofit or business information during the event which will span from the Ashland Public Library down to Lovejoy’s Tea Room.
ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)

Don't Miss Our Top Stories

Get our newsletter delivered to your inbox three times a week.
It’s FREE and you can cancel anytime.