Don Kern
Don Kern grew up in Des Moines, IA. After a half-hearted attempt at college he
returned home and followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a union carpenter.
Realizing a change was needed, he moved to Portland in 1995. He chose Portland
because Vegetarian Times had proclaimed it to be the best place in America. After
settling in, he found work as a carpenter and quickly became involved in political
and environmental activism. He developed an interest in theater and performance
after meeting his wife, Carla Grant, and being introduced to the work of longtime
producer/director/teacher Scott Kelman. While a student of Scott's, he was part
of a monthly experimental venue called "8-1/2", first as a performer and eventually
as the emcee/producer.
It was there that he learned two things: Portland was loaded with talented,
creative performers; and most of them would never be seen on the big stages
around town. In January 2007, he launched ScratchPDX, a monthly open-stage
cabaret where "non-actors" could try out new material and audiences could connect
with artists in an intimate, unpolished setting. Don is also a founding member of
The Tuesday Group, an ensemble of unlikely performers dedicated to creating original
works of theater using improvisational techniques learned from the late Kelman.
They are currently collecting material for their first full-length show, scheduled
to open in early 2011. Don views performance art as a full-time endeavor, and his
favorite areas of exploration are inappropriate humor, the choreography of relationships,
and the use (and non-use) of space. He still makes his living as a carpenter and
lives in NE Portland with his wife Carla and their 18 month old viking princess,
Vada Leigh. This is his first collaboration with Portland Story Theater, and he
is a little bit nervous, but mostly honored and excited to be a part of this festival.
Maybe It's Me: Confessions from a Lover of Crazy Women
Don turned 40 recently, and while that's no cause for alarm, it does give pause
for reflection. After examining a half-life of complicated relationships and
surreal situations, a question occurred to him - "What was I thinking?"
Join him as he weaves a tale of car crashes, adoption, pornography, and small
mammal rescue into a funny and touching ride through a land called "crazy".
Best known as the impresario of ScratchPDX, this is Don Kern's first full-length
solo show. It's all part of PST's Solo Performance Festival, Singlehandedly!
Catch Don on Saturday May 1st.