ABOUT TANDEM THEATRE COLLECTIVE
Tandem Theatre Collective is a geographically separated, though aesthetically linked, group of artists dedicated to innovative methods of creating theatre and devising new works. Currently, the collective is composed of seven founding artists-at-large spread through four states and beginning the development of five unique "pods"--the dedicated local communities of artists and audiences who operate within the national Tandem Theatre umbrella. The founders of the Collective met while working at Portland Stage Company, in Maine, and created the collective beginning with the Portland Pod in late 2013.
The Legend
The founding members of the Tandem Theatre Collective were all fed up with the status quo, and sincerely pining for a tandem bike big enough for seven people. After a few pints (and Shirley Temples) one night, they asked (as if to the sky), por que no los dos? Why not do both. And thus, in November of 2013, the Tandem Theatre Collective was born.
ARTISTS-AT-LARGE
MEG ANDERSON
Scenic designer, performer, playwright.
Current Pod: Portland
Meg Anderson is a scenic designer, sculptor, artist, performer, and bread baker based in Portland, ME. Meg currently works as a carpenter and scenic artist at Portland Stage Company. Meg is a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, and has designed, devised, and performed works in Dublin, Tacoma, and Portland.
JESSICA BLAND
Teaching artist, performer.
Current Pod: Syracuse
Jessica Bland is an arts educator and performer with a passion for performance installation, devised theatre, and Shakespeare. A 2013 Wells graduate, Jessica has interned with several youth theatre organizations, including "the egg" at the Theatre Royal Bath and Theatre for Kids at Portland Stage. She currently works as a Syracuse Stage teaching artist within the Syracuse City Public School system. When not teaching or on stage, Jessica is blogging about her travel experiences around the world.
SARAH MCKENNEY
Lighting designer, performer, playwright.
Current Pod: Ashland
Sarah is a recent graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Theatre Arts. She got her start in lighting in 2010 and has worked backstage as a designer, electrician, and stage manager ever since. After school Sarah decided to travel across the nation to give the other coast a try. While there she worked at the Williamstown Theater Festival, Weston Playhouse, and of course Portland Stage where she met all these fine people. Currently she is back in her home state working as a technician and programmer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
NICHOLAS ORVIS
Director, dramaturg, performer.
Current Pod: New York
Nicholas grew up in rural upstate New York, and graduated in 2013 from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. His theatrical work draws on a wide array of traditions and training, including a semester he spent learning commedia and clown at the Accademia dell'Arte school of physical theatre in Arezzo, Italy.
J.J. PEELER
SHANNON WADE
Director, dramaturg, playwright.
Current Pod: Portland
J.J. is a Salt Lake City native, but relocated to Portland by way of Chicago. Graduating with a BA in Theatre Studies from the University of Utah, J.J. also studied performing Arts and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco.
Performer, puppeteer, teaching artist, activist.
Current Pod: Omaha
Shannon has been working with kids in different capacities for many years. She grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and recently graduated from Allegheny College with a BA in Environmental Studies and a minor in Theater. After working at Portland Stage for the 2013-14 season, Shannon has become a teaching artist for the Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska.
GEORGIA ZILDJIAN
Playwright, dramaturg, performer.
Current Pod: Portland
Georgia Williamina Zildjian grew up as a feral child on the coast of Maine. She graduated in 2013 from Boston University’s School of Theatre with a BFA in Theatre Arts. Georgia is the recipient of the 2013 KCACTF Region One Dramaturgy Award for her work on Boston University’s production of Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton. She is an alumna of Senior Theatre Arts Majors Present (S.T.A.M.P), which produced her new play, Cold Summer, at Boston University in the spring of 2013. Georgia is the founder and coordinator of the Youth Summer Theatre Program for the Castine Arts Association in Castine, Maine. Her passion is the vitality and longevity of theatre in Maine. Her heart belongs to the sea.