From the Ground Up

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From the Ground Up From the Ground UP is a Portland-based nonprofit that provides accessible arts programming focused on creating new art.

ENROLLMENT ALERT!Creating comedic characters from the self - Level 1 is officially SOLD OUTIf you have similar experienc...
09/13/2026

ENROLLMENT ALERT!
Creating comedic characters from the self - Level 1 is officially SOLD OUT
If you have similar experience our level 2 class still has some spots left. Act quick!
SOLO - a 5 week workshop traversing the early stage of solo work has just ONE spot left
Consider SOLO a taste of what our 6 month residency program offers. Find the gravitational pull of your work. What makes your story compelling and urgent?
Register for SOLO here https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/workshops-intensives

The final performer for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL is the wonderful Monique Barbee! She recently presented "if i...
09/11/2026

The final performer for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL is the wonderful Monique Barbee! She recently presented "if i loved you" at the 2026 New Works Festival with From the Ground Up.
We are thrilled to have her perform on Sunday, September 20th. See you there!
Tickets available https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/capitalm-still-a-bummer-still

Can't keep it a secret any longer, Emily June Newton will be dazzling our stage at Capitali$m, Still a Bummer STILL!What...
09/09/2026

Can't keep it a secret any longer, Emily June Newton will be dazzling our stage at Capitali$m, Still a Bummer STILL!
What character will she perform as? Well you'll just have to come and find out!
Join us Sunday, September 20th for a night of good tacos, good w**e and a great show!
Ticket purchases are tax deductible
https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/capitalm-still-a-bummer-still

Emily has performed nationally and internationally with acclaimed companies such as Terrapin Puppet Theatre (AUS), Oregon Children’s Theatre (USA), CoHo Productions (USA), The Children’s Art Theatre of China (CHN), and Dell’Arte International (USA).

Described as “comedic gold” by Broadway World and a “standout clown” by The Mercury PDX, Emily holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theater from Dell’Arte International. She is the co-artistic director of the CoHo Clown Cohort, faculty at the Institute of Contemporary Performance (PETE), and a proud member of the Portland chapter of Fou Fou Ha, San Francisco’s premier burlesque clown troupe.

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September ...
09/08/2026

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL
A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th from 3-7 in SW Portland
Tickets available now and are tax deductible https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/events

The next performer featured is Katherine Murphy Lewis.
The fearless Artistic Director of From the Ground UP will also perform at our fundraiser. You won't want to miss it!

We look to continue this groundswell of community based support with a fundraising campaign focused on amount of donors,...
09/08/2026

We look to continue this groundswell of community based support with a fundraising campaign focused on amount of donors, not just amount of funds raised!
Many hands = light work! Our goal is 50 donors AT ANY LEVEL by September 13th
Donate here! https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/donate

Your contribution will directly support our new space and our mission to expand, reimagine and invent new ways of making, producing and presenting art.
The next $5,480 donated will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous anonymous donor.
50 people donate $10 - that would be $500 - $1000 with matching.
50 people donate $25 - that would be $1250 - $2500 with matching.

Donations are tax deductible

Now that you have begun exploring the comedic character within, bring it from discovery to performance through Creating ...
09/05/2026

Now that you have begun exploring the comedic character within, bring it from discovery to performance through Creating Comedic Characters from the Self - Level 2. Led by Emily June Newton and held at New Expressive Works November 14th and 15th from 11am-4pm
ONLY 5 SPOTS LEFT! Register and learn more
https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/workshops-intensives
Add the next layer of your craft through costume, object work, structure and, the real test of an audience!
Participants are invited to bring costume pieces, accessories, or personal objects that spark curiosity or silliness for their character — these become essential material for the weekend's work.

Note that taking level 1 or similar experience is required to register for this workshop.

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September ...
09/04/2026

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL
A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th from 3-7 in SW Portland
Tickets available now and are tax deductible https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/events

The next performer featured is Aberdeen Stuart.
Aberdeen also works with From the Ground Up as the Program Assistant!

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September ...
09/03/2026

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL
A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th from 3-7 in SW Portland
Tickets available now and are tax deductible https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/events

The next performer featured is Jana Crenshaw.
“To say Jana is a natural is an understatement, vigorous at points and softer than dew on a peach the next; her songs lift off and mesmerize the room before you know it.” -South by Southwest
Find her online at JanaCrenshaw.com, and listen to her music streaming on all platforms. . .pdx. treeHAUSgallery.com

Discover the clownish character from within yourself with this new workshop. Led by the hilarious Emily June Newton! ONL...
09/02/2026

Discover the clownish character from within yourself with this new workshop. Led by the hilarious Emily June Newton! ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!
Play with core principles of clowning to unlock a new original comedic character. Using personal discovery, costumes, and objects.
Held at New Expressive Works on October 24th and 25th 11am-4pm
Learn more and register here https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/workshops-intensives

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September ...
09/01/2026

JOIN US September 20th for CAPITALI$M, Still a Bummer, STILL
A happening disguised as a fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th from 3-7 in SW Portland
Tickets available now and are tax deductible https://www.fromthegrounduppdx.net/events

The first performer to be featured is Madame Beverly Randolph Fox (Summer Olsson).
An early From the Ground UP collaborator, Summer Olsson is a performer, director, and writer. Her career has spanned touring devised theatre through Europe to playing kids shows across the PNW with a trash puppet rock band. She has directed more than twenty theater productions. As a second assistant director in stop motion animation, she worked on projects including on the Oscar-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio and the Emmy-winning The Tiny Chef Show. Her writing has been published in Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, Slippery Elm Literary Journal, Art Born Words (Demagogue Press) and others. She is also a registered nurse and works in addiction recovery.

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Portland, OR

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