Hand2Mouth Theatre


Hand2Mouth Theatre is theatre ensemble based in Portland, Oregon. The group collaboratively create their performances, and evolve all language, movement, and design elements themselves—instead of working from a pre-written script.
Since 2006, Hand2Mouth has also run a youth education program in the Portland area.

Influences

Hand2Mouth Theatre are influenced by the work of Forced Entertainment, Elevator Repair Service, and Jerzy Grotowski.

History

Jonathan Walters founded Hand2Mouth in 2000 after training with street theatre troupe Teatr Biuro Podrozy in Poland. As of 2009, Hand2Mouth has created 15 original performances, and the ensemble has grown to include a core of company members and associate artists. Company members have traveled and studied in London, New York, Poland, Denmark and Mexico City.

Performance Development Process

Hand2Mouth actors, dramaturgs, and designers collaboratively develop the performances utilizing a combination of long form improvisations, movement, dance, singing, and discussion. Each collaborator contributes researched material through these means. Design elements can result from experimentation and improvisation of materials, set, lighting, sound, music and various objects brought to the stage.

Performance History

2002 - Blue Mountain Community College, Pendelton, OR
2003 - River Theatre, Astoria, OR
2004 - Open Theatre International Festival, Katowice, Poland
2004 - Pablo Neruda Centenary Festival, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2004 - PuppetLove! Festival, San Francisco, CA
2004 - River Theatre, Astoria, OR
2005 - Festival Malta, Poznan, Poland
2005 - Kalisz Theatre Festival, Kalisz, Poland
2005 - Edmonds Community College, Seattle, WA
2005 - Willamette University, Salem, OR
2006 - Just Add Water Festival, Portland Center Stage, Portland, OR
2007 - On the Boards, Seattle, WA
2007 - Time-Based Art Festival, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Portland, OR
2007 - Northwest New Works Festival, On the Boards, Seattle, WA
2008 - Myrna Loy Center, Helena, MT
2008 - Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Seattle, WA
2008 - NW New Works Festival, Seattle, WA
2008 - 10 Tiny Dances, Portland, OR
2009 - Fury Festival, Fury Factory, San Francisco, CA
2015 - Time, A Fair Hustler, Fertile Ground Festival, Portland, OR.