Meghan Doerfler

Meghan Doerfler is honest, thoughtful, and loud. She is a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Western Oregon University. There she cultivated a love of over sharing far too much information with complete strangers, which is what led her to this residency. She likes to make art that makes her palms sweaty, and hopefully it makes yours a little sweaty too.  

To see Meghan’s Solo Work ‘The Breakup’ CLICK HERE

Kayla Forester Saunders

Hi! My name is Kayla(she/her) and I just moved to Oregon from California where I studied theater and dance as a child and teenager. I eventually graduated from Allan Hancock College with an AA in dance and moved to Portland to pursue new opportunities! Joining "From The Ground Up" has helped me in so many ways! From introducing me to the creative community around Portland, to helping me find my own process when creating art, FTGU has been an invaluable resource!  I hope you enjoy my piece, as well as the rest of the show! 

To see Kayla’s Solo Work ‘Princess Atalia’ CLICK HERE

Caralynn Rose

Caralynn Rose is bright, charming and sporadic. She makes work including sex work, poly and the loss of innocence. It feels sweet yet strong, like rose bushes against a brick wall. People have said it's inspiring, relatable and much needed.

To see Caralynn’s Solo Work ‘Fear and Love’ CLICK HERE

Emily Veenstra

Emily Veenstra loves a lot of things, but she loves theatre the most. She is soft, sharp, and comfortable with being a contradiction. Emily is a proud Portland Community College student, and plans on transferring to Portland State to major in Theatre Arts and Psychology and minor in Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies. Her work explores her heartbreaks and impatience, her guttural screams and most gentle whispers. She is immensely grateful for Katherine, Deborah, Kate, Naomi, and the lovely residents for their resilience, community, and support while the world has felt so unfamiliar. She would also like to thank everyone in her life who has supported her desire to be creative when she grows up.

To See Emily’s Solo Work ‘Emily’s Room’ CLICK HERE

Madaleine Schultz

Madaleine Schultz is motivated, empathetic and genuinely trying. She is soon to be a Theatre Arts graduate at Portland State University with a focus on performance and her passions include mental health advocacy, fumbling in her attempt to write new works, and long snuggles on the couch with her dog. She makes work about body positivity, queer people, and uncertain humans. Her work feels like soft glowing lights, cold fall nights, and the color blue. People leave saying it was moving, funny, and useless. 

To see Madaleine’s Solo Work ‘Moments’ CLCCK HERE

Heather Grace Bach

Heather Grace Bach is fun, adventurous, and frankly, a lot. She has a BA in Vocal Performance from Pacific University and was recently seen dancing with Stumptown Stages. Heather Grace makes work about struggles, nature, and nothing at all. Her work feels sparkly, yet delicate. People leave saying her work is genuine, and they ask if the world really is as cynical as we think.

To see Heather’s Solo Work ‘Examining’ CLICK HERE