New Documentary Celebrates PHAME Performers with Developmental Disabilities

Portland, August 1st. The VIP screening of “In This Together” was sold out. 380 PHAME supporters gathered at the The Hollywood Theatre to watch the new feature-length documentary about PHAME, and its inspiring student artists and performers. The film, produced in collaboration with Portland’s own Runaway Mustache Productions, follows performers on their ten-city tour, called “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour.”

March 14 to 22, 2012 - a group of artists and performers from PHAME – the Portland, Oregon community’s fine and performing arts group for adults with developmental disabilities – visited communities across the metro region, showcasing their remarkable talent and tenacity; their hard work and heart; their imagination and creativity and possibility to audiences in Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Estacada and Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, Washington.

PHAME visited communities across the metro region, showcasing their remarkable talent and tenacity to audiences in Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Estacada and Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, Washington.

The production team assembled for “In This Together” includes: Producer/Director: Alex Huebsch, Associate Producers: Marc Friedman and Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Cinematographer: Paulius Kontijevas, and Lead Editor: Marc Friedman

The production team assembled for the film, “In This Together” includes:
Producer/Director: Alex Huebsch, Associate Producers: Marc Friedman and Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Cinematographer: Paulius Kontijevas, and Lead Editor: Marc Friedman

At the film premier, PHAME raised over $7,000 in donations, ticket sales and merchandise sales. Supporters enjoyed the red carpet treatment.

PHAME board chair Ethan Dunham, and his partner Michelle Schmidt

Here’s are a couple of trailers for the film (they can be viewed in most browsers including Explorer and Safari.)

PHAME’s Chrystal Figueroa

“We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating on this feature length documentary film about PHAME with the incredible vision and talent of Alex Huebsch, Marc Friedman and everyone at Runaway Mustache Productions,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. ‘In This Together’ asks us to look freshly at what it means to be an artist, and to look more deeply at the very definition of art itself.” PHAME will offer DVDs of the film for sale in the near future.

From PHAME Academy: PHAME is the Portland region’s acclaimed fine and performing arts academy for adults with developmental disabilities.

PHAME Academy supports the development of skills and self-esteem in adults with developmental disabilities through education and participation in the fine and performing arts. Our slogan is “Talent Revealed.” In order to accomplish this goal, PHAME practices the “Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain” teaching philosophy. This approach supports the students by providing opportunities that encourage education, enlightening experiences, and entertainment derived from not only the classroom and special event environments, but also from the experiences and support derived from parents, guardians, and the students themselves.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.