PRODUCTION HISTORY

The piece was first presented as a monologue at an oral history conference, co-sponsored by Columbia University and NYC Library of Performing Arts. During a 2009 summer residency at Artists Rep, the play was developed into an ensemble work-in-progress.  In 2010, The Hillsboro Story was Artists Rep’s entry in the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works in January and then traveled to Hillsboro, Ohio in April.

The artistic team of The Hillsboro Story and Artists Repertory Theatre are especially interested in feedback from the African American community about the play.

Director, cast and composer talk about their journey on The Hillsboro Story with Dmae Roberts on KBOO's Stage and Studio. Click here to listen to the segment.

Jazz Scene interviews Composer and Sound Designer David Ornette Cherry. Full interview can be read beginning on Page 4 here. 

PLAYWRIGHT
Susan Banyas’ artistic roots as an improviser, dancer, and experimental performance artist led to collaborations through SO&SO&SO&SO Inc.  She has an MA in performance and documentary art, ran  Dream Well Studio for 12 years that featured experimental, low-tech dance and performance, raised her son, Jack, and developed her teaching forms -- Everyday Dancing, Soul Stories, Performance Lab, Who Owns Your Mind? (media literacy) -- which she has taught in studios, universities, and residency programs.  Recent performance projects, No Strangers Here Today, and The Hillsboro Story, are centered in Highland County, Ohio (where she was raised) 100 years apart and dance between memory and American history. She has toured No Strangers around the country with collaborator, David Ornette Cherry.   Everyday Dancing, A Dance Lecture, originally delivered at an academic conference, is in development as a dance-story quintet and photography project,  titled It's Been a Busy Week.    http://www.susanbanyas.com/

HILLSBORO STORY ENRICHMENT EVENTS 
Post-show discussion after each show as Act II
Hosted by a guest moderator with Susan Banyas and cast. 

October 16 6:30-7:15, Artists Repertory Theatre
Self-Enhancement, Inc, sounds of Soul Mass Choir, directed by Cinda Jackson 

October 23 6:30-7:15, Artists Repertory Theatre
David Ornette Cherry Quartet
Expressions of Energy 

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS  

Two high-school teachers at Portland Public Schools developed a 5-week curriculum based on the script of The Hillsboro Story for 11^th grade language arts students.  This curriculum is one of several developed over the past summer and has been added to a list of curricula teachers can access.  It is not required curriculum, but it is one of several choices for teachers to choose from and adapt to their needs.  It is designed to use with just the script, but can be enhanced by a performance. Matinee school performances are scheduled for this purpose. Roll out of this curriculum took place on August 26. For more information: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/news/4367.htm. 

"Artist Rep's lo-fi production is confidently rooted in the strength of its story and the skills of its four-woman cast," - Portland Mercury.
Read the full review here.

"...understated, spacious melodic builds that slide together; fusing interwoven threads from the various musical patterns captured in his mind," said OPB Music. Read the full review here.

"Packed with heart and historical detail, it's a remarkably rewarding piece..." - Marty Hughley, The Oregonian

"There are few props and the narration is straight-to-the-point, but this is a powerful play. All four female performers’ acting is superb..." - Willamette Weekly

"The Hillsboro Story is worth telling, and seeing. I hope the play has a healthy future in schools and youth theaters — not that it isn’t a good piece of theater for adults (it is), but because still-developing hearts and minds in particular need to understand this vital part of their heritage," Bob Hicks, ArtScatter.com