This new play examines the stories of several families as they navigate life's last journey. The characters are fictitious but based on the author's 25 years of experience in home health, hospice and palliative care with the input of physicians, nurses, therapists, death doulas and bereaved families.

Here is the recording of the February 5, 2022 performance. Please note that Act I begins at 17:15 and Act II begins at 1:46:30.

Here is the recording of the February 4, 2022 performance. Please note the performance starts with Act I at 11:45, and Act II begins at 1:43:50.

Here is a Highlight Eel of the February 5, 2022 performance in a an easier format.

Watching the Livestreams is free with a Pay What You Will option. To support this production, please consider contributing to the effort via Venmo or Paypal:

Venmo: @patrickshort4 (7151 if it asks)

PayPal.me/cszportland

Quality of Death

by Ruth Jenkins


Directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Stage Managed by Sarah Nolte


Presented by Thinking People’s Theatre
a division of CSz Portland

Fertile Ground Festival 2022

Supported by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council

Show Run Time is approximately 2 hours, 25 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission


Cast in Order of Appearance:



Teri: Allie Rivenbark

Kathryn: Leslie Inmon

Dr. Thomas: Gigi Lascurettes

Dr. Spencer: Michael Buchanan

Lila: Debbie Gerber

Pam: Angela Michtom

Sherry: Ruth Jenkins

Doug: Thomas Magee

Martha: Pat Lach

Ross: Tony Domingue

Julianna: Gigi Lascurettes

Charlie: Paul Roder

Devon: Olivia Henry

Jeff: Ira Kortum

Bev: Margie Boulé

Susan: Stephanie Crowley

Max: Ira Kortum

Gerry: Tony Domingue

Dr. Brandon: Judy Straalsund

Colin: Michael Buchanan

Nurse: Stephanie Crowley

Aunt Vivian: Debbie Gerber

Aunt Carol: Stephanie Crowley

Uncle Pete : Thomas Magee


Understudies: Theresa Robbins Dudeck, Samuel Hawkins




Scene Design and Construction*:
Kevin Laurila, Paul Roder

*all background set designed and constructed for Twilight Theatre’s production,
“Anatomy of Grey” which runs April 8 - April 25


Properties:
Paul Roder, Sarah Nolte, Ruth Jenkins

Lighting Design and Operation:
Genevieve Larson

Sound Design:
Kevin Laurila

Sound Operation:
Carl Dahlquist

Original Music composed and recorded by
Patrick Short (piano and sounds)
David Short (cellos)
Emily Rose Lewis (viola)
Kevin Laurila (bass and production)
with vocals by Susannah Mars
& saxophones by Brooke Cummins
(The soundtrack CD is available for purchase - ask!)

Ambient Voices:
Janelle Laurila
Fiona Jenkins

Original Artwork
Amy Gray

Photographer
Dale Dudeck

Livestreaming Operations
Patrick Short, Cowan Jenkins
Stream infrastructure provided by CSz Portland.


Act I

Scene 1: Hospital room, early August

Scene 2: Therapist/Caregiver Support Leader Office, same day,
with flashbacks to 1 year previous
and to 4 month previous in various settings

Scene 3: Charlie’s Bedroom in an Adult Foster Care Home, same day

Scene 4: Caregiver Support Group, early September,
with flashbacks over last month


Intermission

Act II

Scene 1: Charlie’s Bedroom in an Adult Foster Care home, mid September

Scene 2: Caregiver Support Group, mid September

Scene 3: Living Room of Teri and Kathryn, mid October

Scene 4: Martha’s Room in Pam’s Home, early November
with flashbacks to caregiver support group stories told earlier that day

Scene 5: Home of Teri and Kathryn, late November

Scene 6: Hospital room, early December

Scene 7: Charlie’s Bedroom in an Adult Foster Care Home, late December


Thank You

Twilight Theater
(Managing Director Alicia Turvin and Artistic Director Dorinda Toner)

CSz Portland ComedySportz Players and Staff

Bridgetown Conservatory

Portland State University

Pete Reagan, MD

Bonnie Reagan, MD

Tom Schaumberg, MD

Mary Sauve

Catherine Beckett

Derianna Mooney

Matt Whitaker

Andrew Berkowitz

All the fine actors who assisted with ZOOM read throughs of earlier versions of the script

Nina Monique Kelly, Nichole Lane
and the Fertile Ground Festival 2022 staff

Cast and Staff Bios

Ruth Jenkins (Playwright, Sherry) has an MS in Speech Language Pathology from PSU and  BFA in Theatre from CU Boulder, where she performed with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She worked for several repertory companies in California, where she also began a thirty year career in improvisational theatre.  Ruth is the co-owner and president of CSz Portland, producers of Thinking People’s Theatre and ComedySportz.  She has been involved in writing, directing and acting in social justice plays about gun violence and people living in hunger.  More recently she was seen as the nurse in Shakespeare in Love at Lakewood Theatre and in The Game’s Afoot and The Elephant Man at Twilight Theater. 

Theresa Robbins Dudeck (Director) is an international theatre scholar-practitioner with expertise in improvisation. She’s a Fulbright Scholar (Brazil) and considered a foremost teacher of Keith Johnstone’s impro system of training. Theresa wrote the critically acclaimed biography on Johnstone, is co-editor of two books on applied improvisation, and co-director/producer of the docuseries On Keith: Artists Speak on Johnstone & Impro. Theresa worked as a professional Los Angeles-based actor/singer/dancer before discovering her passion as a director and educator. Over the last two decades, Theresa has directed twenty-seven productions, several of which were new plays in development. She earned a PhD in Theatre from University of Oregon.

Sarah Nolte (Stage Manager) was born into a theatre family; her big start as a kid was playing “the body” in It Was a Dark and Stormy Night by Tim Kelly. She continued to play bodies until she unfortunately sneezed during a performance while trussed up in a funny sack. Little did she know, that sneeze would inadvertently launch her career in theatre! Sarah directed The Maltest Bodkin and No Sex Please, We’re British, and Stage Managed The Game’s Afoot and Marat/Sade for Twilight Theatre and played Marmie in Little Women. She’ll always be thankful to her family for recommending she play that dead body and she’ll always be thankful to Sam for his love and support.

Allie Rivenbark (Teri) Allie’s last performance was right here at Twilight Theater in 2019 playing Phyllis in Body Awareness after a 9-year acting hiatus. Allie has been performing for over 25 years from Atlanta to New York City to Los Angeles and she has been searching for a role as wonderful as this one and quite overjoyed for the opportunity! Thank you Ruth, Theresa, Sarah and Amy for all you do… every day.

Angela Michtom (Pam) has been involved in theatre since high school.  She has a BA in Performing Arts from WOSC, and performed as a company member with Oklahoma Children's Theatre and Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.  She is a founding member of CSz Portland and has been doing improv for over 29 years.  She is making a slow return to scripted theatre over the last several years,  performing in Some Americans Abroad at HART,  Comfort and Joy at Twilight Theater and Leading Ladies at Mask and Mirror. 

Debbie Gerber (Lila, Aunt Vivian) performed 7 plays over four years at Theater West in Lincoln City where she lives with her husband Perry.  She joined Option Talent in Portland 6 years ago and currently studies at Actors Lab/Kristina Haddad.  Debbie has done television, film, industrials, and print; and her long running commercial for Oregon Lottery, Problem Gambler, ran for two years.  Her passions include kayaking, boating, her travels to Paris and her new grandson Bodhi.  This story is very close to her heart and she appreciates the open conversation being had about this sensitive and personal subject.

Gigi Lascurettes (Dr Thomas, Julianna) has been improvising for over a decade and branched out to scripted theatre over the past several years, including the ensemble piece Revelations for Dance Naked Productions, 10-minute plays, Zoom performances and in Park Bench by Skelly Harrington. Gigi is a textile artist upcycling materials for her own creations, including Hellmuffs - keeping ears of bicycle riders warm.

Ira Kortum (Jeff, Max) considers it a privilege and honor to be involved in the debut production of Ruth Jenkins’ Quality of Death. A lifelong actor, Ira has been in over fifty productions ranging from musicals to operas, screen to stage and just about everything in between. To date, some of his favorite role include Macbeth in Macbeth, Alfred Packer in Cannibal the Musical, Delmont in the Miss Firecracker Contest and Vince in Buried Child.  Ira studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and at Portland State University, where he holds the Masters of Science degree in Theatre Arts. 

Judy Straalsund (Dr. Brandon) loves the theatre and has played many roles, both onstage and backstage. As the Founding Artistic Director of Tapestry Theatre, she was a producer, director, actor, playwright, and marketer, and directed and acted with other companies. She’s also led workshops in Kenya and Egypt, worked with focus groups for Intel, directed the program elements of Wild Canyon Games, and co-wrote program sketches for companies ranging from the Hughes Space and Communication Group to the Portable Sanitation Association. She’s currently using her theatre background in the corporate world by coaching writing, public speaking, and communication skills.

Leslie Inmon (Kathryn) recently played Lenny in Crimes of the Heart at HART and Dearly Departed, Heidi Chronicles, and RX at Twilight. Leslie would like to thank Ruth for her amazing word and Theresa for her direction. Extra love goes to Jer and her boys, without whom she would be a shell of a person. Every laugh is for Bevie and every tear is for Michael.

Margie Boulé (Bev) made her professional stage debut at 16 in Los Angeles, and has since performed in over 140 productions across the US and in Europe. She’s acted in films and TV, recorded jingles, and done improv and voiceover work. For the bulk of her career Margie worked as a radio, TV and print journalist. Recent roles include Gov. Ann Richards in Ann! at Triangle Productions and Mamma in Mamma Mia, for Stumptown Stages. 

Michael Buchanan (Dr. Spencer, Dr. Thomas) A Native New Yorker and avid pet lover; serves as a board member for a non-profit radio station, supports his community, does voice over work and uses his improv skills to entertain and inspire. He is a storyteller, performing with a number of Improv theaters and ensembles over the past several years in the Portland area.  A music enthusiast, Michael works to showcase local music and inspire fellow enthusiasts. He is the owner of three rescue dogs and his humorous interactions with them are featured on Instagram, #UrbanHumanBeing.  Michael was an extra in the final season of Documentary Now and recently joined the Pro Team at ComedySportz.

Olivia Henry (Devon) is so glad to participate in (live!) theater again. When she is not a clown in training, she has taken part in a variety of projects including Speaking of Which, We are Almost Sane and Metaphorical or Otherwise as a part of Portland State University’s New Play Festival, and Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom.

Pat Lach (Martha) has appeared on the boards of West Coast stages since her award winning performance as Miss Hannigan (Annie) in Santa Barbara. She is a retired FNP and in her career, has worked in hospice and palliative care. Since moving to Oregon Pat has continued in both professions volunteering with Signature Hospice and trodding the boards of several area stages. She is happy to debut at Twilight Theatre with Thinking People’s Theatre in this important premier production.

Paul Roder (Charlie, Set Design, Props) was the Artistic Director at HART Theatre from 2012 through the beginning of 2018, and now serves as Shop Supervisor here at Twilight Theater, where he also directs and acts. He was the Technical Director for Experience Theatre Project's Great Gatsby's Daisy, and is finishing work on an original filmed project for Theatre in the 'hood, his DIY venture with his wife Karen and Tina Arth, (which features our very own Ruth Jenkins!). He also enjoys downtime at home with Karen, (without whom none of this would be possible) and their two Maine Coons. Thanks to Ruth and Theresa for the opportunity, and the cast and crew for their dedication.

Stephanie Crowley  (Susan, Nurse, Aunt Carol) has been acting onstage for almost 40 years in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California, and Oregon. She's been seen recently as Queen Gertrude in The Canon Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet, as Edna McCarthy in Lakewood Theatre Company’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and as Mistress Quickly in Merry Wives of Windsor with Majesticpiece Theatre. In her off-stage life, Stephanie works as a yoga instructor and marketing consultant.

Thomas Magee (Uncle Pete) found out he loved acting his junior year in college, and then promptly had a career in tech. He has scratched the acting itch by joining ComedySportz Portland in 1993. Doing some scripted theater, writing and performing sketch, and most recently (pre March 2020) in long form dramedy Improv. He truly believes improv could save the world. He’s also the dad of two grown ups that used to be kids, and married well above his station.

Tony Domingue (Ross, Jerry) has been doing plays with Twilight Theater since the beginning. Tony has appeared in The Miracle Worker, Marat/Sade, Stage Kiss, Rx, and Mr. Marmalade He used to coach high school football until the theater bug bit him and wouldn't let go. Tony would like to thank Jo Strom Lane for getting him started.

Carl Dahlquist (Sound and Lighting Operator) has run lights and sound at Twilight Theater Company for Speech and Debate. He has also recently stage managed Speech and Debate, Christmas Shorts, and Miracle Worker, also at Twilight. Carl would like to thank Ruth Jenkins for inviting him to participate in this show, as well as Sarah Nolte for being a superb stage manager.

Genevieve Larson (Lighting Design) graduated from PSU with a Bachelor's degree in Theater Arts. She's worked tech for many companies in the Portland area. She designs lights for Broken Planetarium and Whisper Skin and recently designed lights for Speech and Debate at Twilight Theater Company. She's also the box office manager for Twilight, resident stage manager for the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra and one of the co-founders and board members of The Canon Shakespeare Company. She feels very privileged to have designed the lights for Quality of Death and hopes you enjoy the show.

Kevin Laurila (Sound Design, Set Design) is an experienced musician and technologist. He spent his 20’s working with bands and touring with assembly program companies throughout the US & Canada. Kevin was trained as recording engineer as part of his music degree and interned on various Will Vinton productions providing foley and sound support. Kevin is the mastermind behind mediaunion, a Portland-based music production company, with a focus on helping folks realize their musical dreams through recording, mixing and mastering (Kevin mastered the Quality of Death CD.) He plays bass in the legendary Dad Kennedys. Kevin also builds things and can fix almost anything. This is his first theatrical sound design project and is very excited to be a part of the team.

Patrick Short (Producer, Composer) is the General Manager of CSz Portland, producers of Thinking People’s Theatre and ComedySportz. Patrick teaches and performs improv, including teaching improv skills to corporate clients; he’s taught in 24 countries on Zoom during the pandemic. He holds the MFA in Stage Direction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has directed, produced and composed music for many Thinking People’s Theatre productions, including Frozen Carrots, Sky Orbison, Jordan’s Quest, I Just Don’t Buy That and Water: The Musical. He writes and performs lots of original music, and plays covers with the legendary Dad Kennedys. The Quality of Death CD is his fourth album release in the last 27 months.

David Short (Composer, Cello) is an active performer and arranger based in Denver, Colorado. He provides live silent film accompaniment with the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, playing coast to coast including Lincoln Center in the east, and the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in the west. David also performs newly composed classical music with the Playground Ensemble and grand opera with Opera Colorado. His arrangements for Sphere Ensemble have been featured on Colorado Public Radio.

Emily Rose Lewis (Composer, Viola) is a Denver-based violinist and violist. She is a member of Sphere Ensemble, and freelances throughout the Denver metro area and beyond! She also does session work for various singers and songwriters. Aside from performing, Emily also teaches both violin and viola, and occasionally composes and arranges music.


Playwright’s Note

This play has been in the back of my mind for many years. I wrote it after watching countless families and individuals struggle with end of life issues in the course of my work as a speech language pathologist working with adults, primarily elders.  When the pandemic started I had more evenings to myself, having less opportunities to perform (thank goodness for CSz keeping it going on ZOOM).  That being the case, I finally sat down and emptied portions of my brain and heart.  

I am a big fan of educational theatre.  We still have a lot to learn about dying and how we come to terms with and prepare for it, by allowing it to be part of our conversations.   I read Being Mortal by Atul Gawande and Advice for Future Corpses (and the people who love them) by Sallie Tisdale.  I watched numerous TED talks.  I interviewed families, physicians, therapists and death doulas.  I thought back to the last days of my sweet mother.  I was informed greatly by patients over the years and although all of the characters/situations are fictitious, they are loosely based on amalgamations of their stories.  Much of the dialogue is base on things people have said to me:  “I don’t want to die alone in an ambulance” “Why doesn’t the Good Lord take me now” “I’d rather die of pneumonia than eat that nasty pureed crap” and “I’m pretty sure I’ve outlasted my expiration date” (which inspired a song lyric in the music of Patrick Short that you will hear in the production).  I also see a lot of humor at the end of life and tried to capture some of the situations I’ve observed here.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey, I hope you will enjoy it and take away some new thoughts/perspectives.  

This play is dedicated to Tom Beckett and Large Marge Jenkins.



Do Not Resuscitate (a song inspired by the play) - listen on SoundCloud.

Our CD, Quality of Death - Music From and Inspired by the play by Ruth Jenkins is available on streaming services, but buying a CD supports the production - Spotify et al pay small artists next to nothing or nothing.

Quality of Life is produced by Thinking People’s Theatre, a division of CSz Portland / Viewers Like You, LLC
More about us at thinkingtheatre.com and cszportland.com