Mayor Ted Wheeler to Proclaim August 29, 2019 as “Stan Foote Day”

Stan Foote makes his final “curtain speech” at OCT’s annual gala, August 24, 2019.

 

Foote, who retired this year after a 28-year tenure with Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT), began working with OCT in 1991 and was named its first Artistic Director in 2001. He directed nearly 50 plays and shepherded the creation of 20 brand-new scripts based on beloved books for children and families. These adaptations include collaborations with award-winning children’s authors such as Lois Lowry (The Giver) and Louis Sachar (Holes) and became a hallmark of OCT’s rise to national prominence amongst its peers.

Originally hired to develop OCT’s education programs, Foote is responsible for creating and shaping the company’s acclaimed Acting Academy and Young Professionals Company, as well as programs that are delivered in schools and the community. Under his artistic direction, the company has grown to be the region’s largest provider of performing arts experiences for young people.

Foote’s innumerable contributions to Oregon Children’s Theatre were recently recognized at OCT’s annual evening gala on August 24, 2019, and a campaign to honor his legacy—the Stan Foote Youth Access Fund—was launched this spring.

On making his decision to retire, Foote stated, “It has been a joy and an honor to be the Artistic Director of OCT. I am grateful to the staff, board, patrons, artistic community, business partners, and my peers in the field of theatre for young audiences for embracing me, guiding me, and traveling on this creative journey with me. I am humbled by their trust and support and could not have done it without them. By the way, I see sunny beaches in my future. Salúd!”

The City Proclamation will take place promptly at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Portland City Hall (1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Portland); members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend. For those unable to attend in person, the proclamation will be available to watch online. The meetings are also cablecast on CityNet 30, Portland Community Media television.

A copy of the official City Proclamation can be viewed here.