Urban Rural Theater Project

We are on a mission to collect and tell true verbatim stories that excavate and deepen our collective understanding of the “urban rural divide” in the state of Oregon. The goal of the project is to give voice to unheard narratives, honor the stories of those interviewed, and invite audiences into a deeper conversation about community and connection, myth and lived experience, harm and progress as it pertains to the “urban-rural divide.”

SPECIAL EVENT: The Urban Rural Theatre Project will be having public readings on April 25, 26, & 27 in McKenzie Theater at Eastern Oregon University. Open to the public. Download a flyer about this event to share with your class or organization.

ABOUT

Theater artists, Sarah and Jack Greenman, are working with Eastern Oregon University students through the REV Center to collect and tell true verbatim stories that excavate and deepen our collective understanding of the “urban rural divide” in the state of Oregon. The goal of the project is to give voice to unheard narratives, honor the stories of those interviewed, and invite audiences into a deeper conversation about community and connection, myth and lived experience, harm and progress as it pertains to the “urban-rural divide.” Interviews have been conducted with over 30 individuals across the state to identify common themes and utilize the words of real people to write a script for a verbatim theater production. These individuals represent the stories less often told in mainstream media including rural folks, women, Native Americans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community.

How can telling a story bridge the urban/rural divide?

Luckily, there is more that connects us than separates us. Our brains are hard-wired to respond to stories. The purpose of art is to unlock hidden solutions and reveal unexpected answers. It is, by nature, exploratory. By excavating real lived experiences and sharing these stories, we can give valuable context to the central issues of our time. Story-telling is a powerful social tool that creates pathways for equitable communication, collaborative solutions, and collective growth. Sharing stories that reflect the full scope of the Oregonian experience can catalyze audiences into productive dialogue and positive action. This is as true for small-town community organizers as it is for state legislators.