Misconceptions about UP Theater

The University of Portland is known for many things. UP's women's soccer team consistently does well from season to season. UP's School of Nursing is known as one of the best in the state. Recently, UP's School of Engineering building Shiley Hall was deemed LEED Platinum certified.

But, what about the UP Theater department?

One aspect of life on The Bluff that students overlook is the Theater program. Just a quick poll around campus, many students can name only one or two drama productions. Even the ones they can name, many of those productions are years old.

Through some asking around, I found that many students are unaware of the student actors and the work they do in Mago Hunt Theater and the new Mehling Black Box Theater. Every year, the UP Theater program produces 4 mainstage productions and 3-4 second stage productions.

Some popular shows include "Much Ado About Nothing," "Urinetown" and "Little Women."

Students are involved in almost every aspect of these productions. Undergraduate and graduate students act, direct, create the sets, design the lighting, do stage makeup, and design costumes. They practice their craft everyday and are at rehearsals almost every night for these shows.

As mentioned previously in this blog, the UP Theater department competes in an acting competition called ACTF. Each and every year, undergraduate and graduate theater students receive honors and scholarships from their performances.

The University of Portland is a small university with a small theater program. But no matter how small, the UP Theater department should get the recognition it deserves.

Watch the video, find out about the University of Portland and UP Theater for yourself!

Senior Series Part Two: Connor Bond

Meet Connor Bond

photo by Owen Carey

Connor Bond is the charismatic actor who can be found spending his time rehearsing, acting, and singing in Mago Hunt Theater. Most recently seen in the UP production of "Present Laughter," Bond was most notably seen in UP's "Servant of Two Masters" and "Urinetown." Bond has also been in numerous productions in the Portland area. This past summer Bond was in Portland Center Stage's "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and he was also Blue Monkey Theater's "Altar Boyz" two years ago. This past ACTF, Bond and his partner Phil Orazio made it to the final round of competition.

Next year, Bond will be leaving Oregon for California to become a student in the UC Irvine MFA acting program. Bond auditioned for UC Irvine, one of the schools on the "top of the list," in New York during the URTA auditions.

"I had a private audition set up with UC Irvine and I also got called back through the URTA auditions," Bond said. "After that I was invited to a callback at UC Irvine, which occurred a few weeks ago and days after I got a call that I was accepted!"

Bond hopes to move to Los Angeles after the UC Irvine acting program to "continue living the actor life and challenge what I have learned in my three years of grad school."

And more than anything, Bond hopes to continue to develop his craft.

"The development of an actor is somewhat progressive," Bond said. "It seems to get better every time you do it. I hope that feeling continues throughout my entire life."