Dmae features continues conversations about anti-racism in the arts with an in-depth talk with Chip Miller, the newly appointed associate artistic director of Portland Center Stage at the Armory.  Chip originally joined PCS in the spring of 2019, in the role of associate producer. In 2019, he directed the company’s smash-hit production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (which is slated to return sometime in 2021) and the celebrated world premiere of Redwood, a play PCS also helped develop. We hear about Chip Miller’s impressions of Portland and the arts scene as well as inclusion for BIPOC and LGBTQI+ artists and how to build audiences of color in predominantly white theaters. Dmae and Chip also share their love of Ben Vereen in Pippin.

(Aired 11am  9/01/2020 on KBOO 90.7 FM or always on stagenstudio.com and iTunes.)

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About Chip Miller: Before joining Portland Center Stage, Chip (they/them) held the role of artistic associate/resident director at Kansas City Repertory Theatre for seven years, where their directing credits included School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Welcome to Fear City, Sex with Strangers, and A Raisin in the Sun. Beyond KCRep stages, directing credits include Becoming Martin by Kevin Willmott (world premiere, The Coterie Theatre), dwb: driving while black (Lawrence Arts Center), and 4:48 Psychosis (The Buffalo Room).

Chip has developed work with playwrights including Kevin Willmott, Kara Lee Corthron, Brittany K. Allen, Catherine Trieschmann, Darren Canady, Andrew Rosendorf, Michelle T. Johnson, and Michael Finke. He has developed work at The William Inge Theater Festival, NYU Steinhardt’s New Plays for Young Audiences, Orlando Shakes’ Playfest, Midwest Dramatists Center, Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s OriginKC: New Works Festival, and Portland Center Stage at The Armory’s JAW Festival. Chip has a B.F.A. from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr. and Ithica Tell in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."
Delphon “DJ” Curtis Jr. & Ithica Tell in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” – Directed by Chip Miller.

Virtual Events at PCS: https://www.pcs.org/events

Livestream concert featuring Joe Kye and Niema Lightseed, Thu, Sep 3, 2020 at 7 pm. • A FREE special livestream concert with Indie String Pop violinist-looper and vocalist Joe Kye in collaboration with poet Niema Lightseed. More: https://www.pcs.org/events/livestream-concert-featuring-joe-kye-and-niema-lightseed

Renaissance Technically, Fri, Sept. 4, 2020 at 7:30pm via Zoom. This project led by Josie Seid, actor and playwright, is the first step in an ongoing experiment that strives to blur the edges between the digital world and real life, and investigate the very process of creating and experiencing art. Nine dynamic artists — including poets, musicians, dancers, actors, and visual artists — have come together to devise this virtual theater event. Lava Alapai, Robi Arce, Michael Cavazos, Joe Kye, Kailey Rhodes, Andrea Vernae, Barbie Wu, Ken Yoshikawa with Chip Miller, associate artistic director and  Kristen Mun, stage manager. Tickets here: https://www.pcs.org/renaissance-technically

Community Voices Project launched online with the release of 12 works from celebrated Black artists based in Portland: Cycerli Ash, Ayanna Berkshire, Bobby Bermea, Delphon “DJ” Curtis Jr., Phil Johnson, Treasure Lunan, Tamera Lyn, Lauren Modica, Vin Shambry, Ithica Tell, Wanda Walden, and Damaris Webb.  Experience all 12 here: https://www.pcs.org/original-works/community-voices