With a schedule that includes an author talk from a distinguished Linfield alumnus, a musical Molière adaptation and a massive sculpture that will go up on flames, April is packed with arts events on the McMinnville campus.
April 10: A reading by memoirist and poet Jane Wong
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10
Where: Austin Reading Room inside Nicholson Library (location)
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Jane Wong grew up in a Chinese-American restaurant on the Jersey shore and now lives in Seattle. She is the author of the debut memoir, “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City” and two books of poetry: “How to Not Be Afraid of Everything” and “Overpour.” The Washington Post has called Wong’s work “joyful” and “lyrical” and said her memoir “invites those who have been overlooked in America to hold up their verses, accolades and solidarity in a collective rejoinder to their detractors.” She holds an M.F.A. in poetry from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington and is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Western Washington University.
April 18-20, 25-26 and 28: “The Imaginary Invalid”
When: 7:30 p.m. April 18–20 and 25-26; 2 p.m. April 28
Where: Marshall Theatre inside Ford Hall (location)
Cost: $8-12, on sale April 3
More information
Linfield Theatre’s April production will be a new take on Molière’s “The Imaginary Invalid,” adapted by Oded Gross and Tracy Young, with original music by Paul James Prendergast and original lyrics by Oded Gross, Paul James Prendergast and Tracy Young.
Molière’s final play follows the story of Argan, a hypochondriac who seeks to marry his daughter to the son of a doctor, which he believes will mean cheaper medical bills and easier access to prescriptions. Mistaken identity, subterfuge and other classic tropes of comedy follow, and this zippy production contains side–splitting wordplay, slapstick gags and a healthy dose of pop culture references.
Proceeds from April 18’s opening night performance will be donated to Henderson House, which shelters and supports those experiencing domestic violence. Attendees are also invited to a post-show reception to celebrate the cast and crew with wine and light refreshments.
The cast includes Colin Bellairs, Victoria Breazeale, Zoe Hertlein, Lucy Ingham, Shayden Lough, Bella Rigutto, MJ Rinehart, David Stephens, Fay Short, Dominic Thompson, Robert Turner and DeAndre Williams. Directed by Professor Janet Gupton with scenic design by Assistant Professor Derek Lane. Costume, hair and makeup design is by Instructional Associate Laurel Peterson. Instructional Associate Jesse Klug and junior Sydney Monroe are co–lighting designers. Choreography is by Linfield alumnus Eve Brindis. MJ Rinehart is the music director with support from the Linfield Music Department faculty Anton Belov and Julie Cross. Katie Jones is the production’s stage manager.
This play contains mature themes and language and is recommended for ages 13 and older. For more information, call 503-883-2292.
April 26: 16th annual ‘Built to Burn’
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26
Where: The field west of the Miller Fine Arts Center on Keck Drive behind Albertsons
Cost: Free and open to the public
The Department of Art at Linfield University hosts the 16th annual Built to Burn under a waning gibbous moon — participants will gather at 7:30 p.m., burn an enormous wooden sculpture at dusk and then enjoy a marshmallow roast. The event is held rain or shine. This collaborative wood sculpture was built by students in Instructor Totem Shriver’s Introduction to Studio and Sculpture courses. Visit Digital Commons to view photos and videos of previous Built to Burn events. Follow all the events and activities of the Department of Art on Instagram. Full description and more information.
April 30: Mac Reads presents Shane McCrae at Nicholson Library
When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30
Where: Austin Reading Room inside Nicholson Library
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Linfield University, Third Street Books and the McMinnville Public Library present Mac Reads: “Pulling the Chariot of the Sun: A Memoir of a Kidnapping.” Shane McCrae’s memoir, “Pulling the Chariot of the Sun: A Memoir of a Kidnapping,” was published in 2023 to positive reviews from The New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post, and many other venues.
McCrae is also the author of nine books of poetry, including “In the Language of My Captor,” winner of the 2018 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and a finalist for the National Book Award as well as the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His poems have appeared in the Best American Poetry series, Poetry, The American Poetry Review, Gulf Coast and other anthologies and journals, and he has been awarded the Lannan Literary Award, a Whiting Writer’s Award, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
The first in his family to graduate from college, McCrae earned a BA at Linfield, an MA at the University of Iowa, an MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop,and a JD at Harvard Law School. McCrae teaches at Columbia University and lives in New York, New York. The event is sponsored by Friends of Nicholson Library and Friends of the McMinnville Public Library.
