Mary & Nathaniel of Portland Action Theater are INCREDIBLE teachers & performers. Their guidance, care, and attention to us students as we learn and grow our Action Theater skills is so meaningful to me. They are also amazing performers, who inspire me greatly!!!!!!
– Alex De Luise
I was writing to let you know how much I enjoyed my first Action Theater class. It was so much fun! You and Nathaniel did such a wonderful job of creating a space for exploration, joy, and contemplation. It is definitely something I have been looking for. I wish I had discovered it years ago, but that’s just the way it goes. My partner and I also enjoyed the Secret Seed Improv. It was my partner’s first exposure to Action Theater, and she was dumbfounded when I told her it was improvised. She was like, “No way!” I am going to try to go every month, so much fun!
– Elliott Moon
Taking the Action Theater classes was a transformative experience for me. As a naturally shy person, I joined hoping to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others and to build stronger stage presence. What I gained went far beyond that. The classes helped me find my voice, think on my feet, and communicate with more confidence and authenticity. The teachers created such a supportive, encouraging space that made it safe to take risks and grow. I’m truly grateful for their guidance and would recommend this experience to anyone looking to build confidence, connection, and self-expression.
– Elaine Trannin
Mary & Nathaniel’s class offered a space for play, awareness, and ‘comfortable discomfort.’ I had never taken a class like this and loved the opportunity to stretch myself and pay attention to parts of me that I forgot were there.
– Meghan Devine (PCC student)
Action Theater with Mary and Nathaniel reinvigorated my relationship to my personal and professional movement practices. When I took their beginner class I quickly fell in love with the form and it was the highlight of each week for me. Mary and Nathaniel seem to teach from a place of joy and curiosity, and their support of one another’s process came through in their support of the group process as well. After studying dance in college and dabbling in it since then, I had lost some of my excitement and joy in moving over the years. The AT class with Mary and Nathaniel brought it back to me, and then some. I found the practices to be impactful in my client work as a therapist, in my relationships, and in my movement explorations and performance art. I feel it informs my ability to be Human and Present within my movements themselves and directly in my interactions with others. I am certain that action theater will be a part of my life for years to come, thanks to these amazing humans and their community offerings.
– Emily Haygeman, PhD, empowerwhoyouare.com
Portland Action Theatre is a supportive space to explore, play, and take risks. Mary and Nathaniel are sensitive and skilled teachers, and I felt welcome to bring my whole self to class. I always left feeling enlivened and connected both to the group, myself, and the mystery connecting us all. One day, I came to one class feeling deep grief over the state of the world. I barely made it to the studio and wasn’t sure I should even be there given my emotional overwhelm. But I felt safe enough to share what I was feeling with the group, and Mary, Nathaniel and the other students supported me where I was. Through the course of the afternoon, I was able to play, connect with joy and curiosity, and witness others in their creativity and expression. At the end of class, I was filled with gratitude for Action Theatre practice and the people in that room. I left feeling more resourced for life.
– 2023 Beginner Class Student
I had such an amazing time attending Happensdance. I usually feel pretty confident about my ability to be silly/playful, and express myself vocally, but I was blown away in the class! I felt so inspired by the prompts, both vocal and physical, and found myself expanding in ways I didn’t expect! I had so much fun and was experiencing so much joy, I actually ended up leaving the jam early because I hit my ceiling for joy and my face was starting to get sore from smiling so much! I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking to challenge yourself, have a good time, learn about yourself, play, and experience something new!
– Samantha
Mary and Nathaniel are masters of their craft and very fun to explore with. I found their workshop accessible for beginners. And I discovered many tools with which to deepen my own practice. I wholeheartedly encourage any inkling you have to join in and play.
– Carla Grant
Nathaniel and Mary Rose teach Action Theater with great energy,
knowledge, creativity and verve. They create a wonderful and safe
space in which to explore the delight of the Action Theater
improvisational world.
– Doug Kagel
Mary Rose is a compassionate teacher and a passionate performer. She has a remarkable grasp of her craft and teaches with skill, empathy and a unique perspective. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked with her.
– Domeka Parker
Nathaniel Holder has a gentle presence but also a deep skillset and huge expressive range in the art of physical theater improvisation. But more than that, he has an uncommon facility with teaching these skills through Action Theater in a way that meets the level of every student and draws each person easefully into the challenge of expanding their own skills.
– Dan Reed Miller
Mary Rose is that rare kind of teacher who combines comprehensive knowledge with both precise specificity in instruction and feedback and the kind of easygoing and positive demeanor in which there really are “no mistakes”, just welcome space for expansion of skills and expressive capacities. The practice of Action Theater has contributed hugely over the last decade to the growth of my own expressive capacities and skills, and Mary’s enthusiastic and highly skilled teaching is the single biggest reason why.
– Dan Reed Miller