Dmae features Paul Susi, an educator, a social services professional, an arts administrator, an activist, and a theater artist who was born and raised in Portland. A trained classical actor, Paul has also focused on bringing art to communities in need. Currently he is working with Patrick Walsh, artistic director of Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative to bring Greek classics to prison communities: An Iliad and Antigone, the latter will be filmed at the controversial Wapato Jail. We’ll hear more about those projects as well as a Prison Pen Pal project that Paul has created as a volunteer to help friends who are inmates at time when most outside services have been halted. 

If you’re interested in becoming a pen pal visit www.paulsusi.wordpress.com for more info. Learn more about NWCTC at www.nwctc.org.

(Aired 11am  7/28/2020 on KBOO 90.7 FM or always on stagenstudio.com and iTunes.)

Featured music: David Ornette Cherry

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Paul Susi has served as a fundraiser gala master of ceremonies for PlayWrite, Inc., Cerimon House, Streetbooks, Sisters of the Road, and Transition Projects. As an actor, he has appeared onstage with the Red Door Project, NW Classical Theatre Collaborative, Portland Actors Ensemble / Shakespeare in the Parks, Action Adventure Theatre, Anon It Moves, Profile Theater, NW Children’s Theater, Shaking the Tree, Push Leg, The Forgery, Island Stage Left in the San Juans, WA, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Vermont Stage Company, Teatro Solo/ Boom Arts, as well as in self-produced, original work.

Paul has served on the Boards for numerous cultural nonprofits, including the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, Cerimon House, and Portland Actors Ensemble. In 2018, the Regional Arts and Culture Council honored Paul for outstanding contributions to local theater and culture. For five years, Paul specialized in managing new emergency homeless shelters for Transition Projects, with experience in opening and / or closing 6 different shelter programs during that time.

He continues to work for Transition Projects as a Diversity and Equity Training Facilitator. Paul currently serves as a Site Supervisor for the Outdoor School with the Multnomah Education Service District, where he goes by the camp name, “Badger.” More info at www.paulsusi.wordpress.com