much Ado

all the drama of a house party...in an actual house.
Sept. 13th - 28th
Thurs. - Fri. @ 7:30p
Saturdays @ 2p & 7:30p
SHOW VENUE: Mt. Tabor*
(*Address Revealed Upon Ticket Purchase)
Six friends meet at their childhood summer home to relax and reunite, only to discover old flames and feuds still simmering beneath the surface. Jon is furious when he discovers that his first love, Hero, only has eyes for Claudio. Benedick and Beatrice’s long-running feud quickly picks up where it left off, until their friends decide to set them up with each other. Margaret's waiting for the right time to tell Beatrice she's in love with her, and family friend/self-appointed neighborhood watchman, Dogberry, is hot on the case of Jon's scheming. Will they? Won't they? It's all the drama of a house party...in an actual house.

TICKETS

Be sure to read through this webpage so you know what to expect for this immersive show!

General Admission:
Includes 1 FREE drink upon arrival! (Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available)

VIP Experience: (+$8)
Treat yo' self! Add this little bonus to your cart and when you arrive at the show, you'll be presented with our show poster and a souvenir wine glass decorated by a cast member, into which we will pour you your free drink.*
*Alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available
Learn how to get a FREE VIP experience here.
"What a treat! So much fun to be in the middle of the action...Truly delightful!"

What To Expect At The Show:

ARRIVAL

Arrive at 7p so you can shed your coat and collect your first, FREE drink!

The Party Host will let you know places that you can and cannot sit or stand, and will guide you where to be throughout the performance. The show will start in the living room.​

The show is 110 minutes without an intermission -- so do use the bathroom beforehand if you can.
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DURING

Enjoy this wonderful home with your eyes, not with your hands.

The actors may offer you the option to engage with them, physically or vocally. If you would like to, engage when the invitation is given, and not otherwise.

The 8th actor is an adorable orange cat named Ezra who will be joining us outside. Like with the other actors, engage when he offers, and not otherwise.​
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WRAPPING UP

At the end, you’ll be invited to hang for a little while, have another drink and chat with us. 

When you hear the bell, it’ll be time to wrap up and head home.

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CONTENT NOTE:
Recommended for ages 13+. Contains swearing, some violence, intimacy, suggested sex scene.
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ACCESSIBILITY: Due to the site-specific nature of this project, this run of Much Ado will not have ADA accessibility. Audiences will need to feel comfortable walking up a short flight of stairs, and slowly moving from indoors to outdoors. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to ensotheatre@gmail.com. We are hoping to remount this project in an ADA accessible space in the future! Stay tuned!
"My cousin is a fool and thou art another. I'll wear none but this."

What to wear:

​COMFY, CASUAL
(with a dash of masquerade!)
In the world of the play, Hero is throwing a Masquerade party. Masquerade masks will be available for audience members if you’re feeling that vibe. If you’d rather not, no problem. Whether you’re masquerading or not, you’ll be sitting and walking and standing a little bit, so be sure to wear something that allows for that.
THE WEATHER
(hello, Portland!)
You’ll be both inside and outside. We’ve got fingers crossed for great weather, but hey! it’s Portland, so maybe bring a light jacket just in case. You'll be able to leave your jacket with the Party Host when you enter, and snag it when you head outside. We will provide ponchos in case of rain.

Support Theater MADE WITH Mindfulness.
Thanks to over 40 donors, we raised $8,575 to support this project, in just four weeks!
That is AMAZING. Thank you so so much!!
We are still just $1,425 short of our $10k goal.
We are keeping our CrowdRise donor page open for a little longer, if you would like to help us bridge the gap.
All donations are tax-deductible. 
Thank you! And be sure to check out our donor rewards!
SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE ROCKSTARS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED MUCH ADO:
Scott Austin
Kees, Kirsten and Tova
THE WORD ELF
Lizz Brown
Margaret Knecht
Leah Cushman
Ariel Kusby
Abbey Howe
Steve Lovett & Connie Sullivan
Laura Crawford
Our Anonymous Donors
Joellen Sweeney
Bobby Nove
Lisette Sheer
Cathy Gibson
Dylan Wiggins
Scott & Beatrice Munson
Le'Ann Duran
Stephanie & Kevin
Our Shakespeare Trivia Night Attendees
Michael & Julie Lushington
Zella Henderson
Sahana
Michael & Janet Fisher-Welsh
Brooke Silva
William Thomas Berk
William A. Schmiedeskamp
​Patricia W. Cliff & Karl Von Frieling Foundation
...AND, OUR MONTHLY PATREON DONORS & SPONORS:

Meet THE ENSEMBLE

The artistic force behind Much Ado. (Character videos being released each week!)

Bailie Nokes-Borge

Director

Bailie Nokes-Borge (DIRECTOR) is a nomadic maker and theatre lover.  They have facilitated storytelling all over the country and they are so happy to be making theater here in Portland.  They are excited for you to see our show.  Much Ado is their first solo directing venture!  YAY! When they are not making plays, you can find them walking their dog Tulip, or eating fancy cheese and crackers.  Thanks a million to Enso Theatre Ensemble, you all rock their world :)

Madeline Shier

Hero

Madeline Shier (HERO, WRITER) has been working in Portland theatre (and at Powell’s Books) for the last five years. Hailing from Pullman, WA by way of Ohio Wesleyan University (with a detour to the British American Drama Academy in London), selected credits include Helen in Cymbeline (Anon It Moves), Olympias in The Maid’s Tragedy (Northwest Classical), Lily in The Skriker (Third Rail Mentorship Company), script/dramaturgy for The Romeo and Juliet Project (Enso Theatre Ensemble), and dramaturgy for Red (Crave Theatre Company). When not buying books for (and from) Powell’s or working on theatrical productions, Madeline can usually be found playing board games, baking (mostly waffles), or making cross-stitches with swear words in them. 

Kiah Hart

Claudio

Kiah Hart (CLAUDIO) has been acting in Portland the last 3 years and is thrilled to be creating with Enso Theatre Ensemble! When she isn't exploring a new project you can find Kiah in her kitchen experimenting with uncommon foods or curled up with her nose in a book. Keep in touch with Kiah on her IG @mahalahart or check out her work at www.kiahmahalahart.com

Scott Snipes

Co-Light Design

Scott Snipes (CO-LIGHT DESIGN) has worked in theatre electrics and lighting for a decade, and is excited to join Enso for his first outing as a designer. He would like to thank his amazing wife/co-designer and his cat for their endless support. 

Lizz Brown

Stage Manager

An active member of the Portland Theatre Community since 1999 Ms. Brown (STAGE MANAGER) has had the pleasure of working with companies big and small. Favorite companies include Northwest Children’s Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Defunkt Theatre, The Really BIG Dance Company, Staged!, Nutz & Boltz, and Badass Theatre. Lizz joyfully shares her passion for the storytelling arts with students at West Sylvan Middle School and Valley Community Presbyterian Church.  

Helena Fisher-Welsh

Margaret

Helena Fisher-Welsh (MARGARET, WRITER) was born and raised in Portland and received her B.F.A. in Acting from the University of British Columbia. Locally, she has worked as an actor with Enso Theatre Ensemble (Elizabeth Bennet, Pride & Prejudice: An Adaptation), Salt and Sage Productions (Hamlet, Twelfth Night), Portland Shakespeare Project's Proscenium Live (2016), and Artists Repertory Theatre (Ah, Wilderness!, 2010). She has also worked as a grant writer for Enso Theatre Ensemble, and as an assistant director for CoHo Productions (Playhouse Creatures, 2017) and Third Rail Repertory Theatre (John, 2018). She is a recent graduate of Third Rail's Mentorship Cohort. Favorite roles at UBC include Masha in The Seagull (dir. Kathleen Duborg) and Claire in Little One (dir. Barbara Tomasic). She doesn't like to rank her favorite Shakespeare plays but Much Ado About Nothing is definitely in the top five. 

Tim Fodge

Benedick

Tim Fodge (BENEDICK) has been performing locally for over a decade, and graduated in 2013 from George Fox University with a degree in theatre. He has performed with many different theatre groups from Newberg to Portland, including Steep & Thorny Way to Heaven, Valley Repertory Theater and Outer East Arthouse. Amongst his favorite roles: Orlando (As You Like It), Silvio (Servant of Two Masters), and Demetrius (Midsummer Night’s Dream). Tim is profoundly grateful to Enso for giving him the opportunity to bring this show to life and work with such a wonderful team of artists. He would also like to give a big shout out to his wife, Liz Fodge, who constantly inspires him to keep chasing after his passions and helps him to be a better person one day at a time.

A.G. Angevine

Jon

(she/they) Based in Portland, OR, A.G. Angevine (JON) is an actor, director, writer, and stage manager who is passionate about storytelling and the shared experience of theatre. She is (possibly) the biggest Shakespeare nerd you will ever meet. I mean, she has a degree in the subject. 

BREYDON LITTLE

Props Master

This is Breydon Little's (PROPS) first professional prop design as he’s usually stage managing around town. Credits include: In The Wake, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Water by the Spoonful, Happiest Song Plays Last, Fires once the Mirror, Well, Let Me Down Easy (Profile Theatre). A Christmas Carol, Pen/Man/Ship (Portland Playhouse); The Pride (Defunkt Theatre); Tender Napalm (Dancingbrain Productions); Jesus Christ Superstar (Street Scenes); Frost/Nixon (Bay Street Theatre); A Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: A Rock Experience (Oregon Childrens Theatre)

Kayden Cummings

Asst. Stage Manager

Kayden Cummings (ASM) was last seen as an actor in Meet Me at the Edge of the World with Enso Theatre. They have also performed in a number of shows at Cleveland High School, including Legally Blonde the Musical, Loveless Life, and Scribbleface. This is their stage management debut and are very excited to be part of this production.

Caitlin Lushington

Beatrice

Caitlin Lushington (BEATRICE, WRITER) is deeply grateful for the support from her husband, fellow ensemble members, community and family that has made this possible. She has taught, directed and performed with a variety of companies along the West Coast. Favorite projects include Peter & the Starcatcher (Asst. Dir.) with Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Skriker (Josie) with the Third Rail Mentorship Company, As You Like It (Rosalind) with Speculative Drama, and her Enso Theatre credits, including Pride & Prejudice: An Adaptation (Writer, Director), The Romeo & Juliet Project (Director), and Care of Trees (Director). She has studied and practiced mindfulness for the last 10 years and recently completed the Mindfulness for Youth-Serving Professionals training program with Peace in Schools. Thank you so, so much for supporting this beautiful and necessary work!

Ross Laguzza

Dogberry

Ross Laguzza (DOGBERRY) is an actor, improvisor and comedian. He has worked extensively as an actor in regional theatre in roles ranging from the conventional to the absurd and everything in between. He also has appeared in hundreds of improv theatre performances, most recently at Curious Comedy Theater and The Brody. Ross is a member of the Playback Theatre Company and enjoys playing the drums for his dog Mr. Chowder.

Kelly Terry

CO-Light Design

With over ten years in the industry and lighting for productions from ballet to play, haunted house to wedding, and everything in between, Kelly Terry (CO-LIGHT DESIGN)) still feels so, so grateful to be able to make meaningful art with amazing artists everyday. Her most recent designs include Theatre Vertigo's "A Dark Sky Full of Stars" directed by Jocelyn Seid, and "Jesus Hopped the A-Train"; a co-production of CoHo Productions and Beirut Wedding World Theatre Project, directed by Jamie Rea. She would like to thank Scott for being an invaluable co-designer and Enso Theatre for the opportunity to go on this journey once more. 

Jared Jonas

Sound Design

Jared Jonas (SOUND DESIGN) fell in love with theatre at the University of Idaho where he got his BFA in Theatre Design and Technology.   He has lived in Portland for the past two years and quickly became an active participant in the cities theatre community, working with multiple companies.  Jared believes in the importance of performance arts, and during the day works as Technical Director and as an advisor to the Canby High School drama program.  He is thrilled to be working with Enso again. 

MaryCHris Mass

Costume Design

Costume Designer of a certain age, loving this immersive project.  Experienced in film, theatre, music videos..and hey, available for more paying gigs now!

GET A FREE VIP EXPERIENCE!

Did you know that when you purchase a ticket to our show AND a ticket to Hamlet, produced by our friends at Speculative Drama, you’ll get a FREE upgrade to the “VIP Experience” at BOTH shows? 

When you buy your ticket to "Much Ado" you'll receive a code with your emailed receipt that you can use when you purchase tickets to "Hamlet."

We'll track who has purchased tickets to both shows, and when you arrive, you'll be presented with a free VIP experience.

The VIP experience at "Much Ado" includes a show poster and a souvenir wine glass!

Got your "Much Ado" tickets? Get your FREE VIP Experience by purchasing your tickets to "Hamlet" here.