Faculty
View all Theatre faculty.
Patrick Tangredi, Program Chair, Artistic Director
Patrick Tangredi directs annually for PCC and teaches TA 101 (Theatre Appreciation), TA 141 (Fundamentals of Acting), TA 142 & 143 (Advanced Acting), TA 145 (Acting for the Camera), and TA 180 (Rehearsal and Performance).
Patrick received his BA in English from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and his MFA in Theatre Directing from Tulane University. He has acted, directed, written, and taught for over 30 years across the United States. He has directed many productions for PCC. He has also worked with Action/Adventure Theatre, Reader’s Theatre Repertory, and Dance Naked Productions here in Portland, as well as Hartford Stage, New Century Theatre, and The Louisiana Shakespeare Festival.
Dan Hays, Technical Theatre
Dan Hays has designed and taught classes about sets, lights, and technical theatre at PCC since the Sylvania Performing Arts Center was completed in 1994. He is a native Oregonian who returned to Portland after spending two years in Hawaii as the Technical Director and resident scenic/lighting designer for Maui Onstage and Maui Community Theatre. He received his B.S.S. in Theatre and Language Arts from the University of Portland in 1986 and his M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts/Design from the University of Portland in 1992.
Dan became increasingly interested in technical theatre while teaching theatre at Grant High School in Portland from 1987 to 1989 in an enthusiastic three-member drama coaching program with over 250 students. Since then he has designed or been technically involved in over 250 productions. He prides himself on being versatile both on and off stage. His professional theatre experience includes acting, singing, vocal coaching, directing, producing, theatre facility consulting, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, auditorium coordinating, technical directing, and over 35 years experience of piano accompanist/soloist/composer.
Sarah Gahagan, Costume and Set Design
Sarah Gahagan is a costume and set designer for theatre, dance, festivals, and stop-motion animation film, as well as being an adjunct theatre instructor at PCC. She has done theatre design and collaboration work with many of Oregon’s beloved arts organizations including Artist Repertory Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Miracle Theatre, Profile Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Michal Curry Design.
Sarah has received Drammy Awards for her costume design work on Eurydice, James and The Giant Peach, Trojan Women, El Quijote, and A Year With Frog and Toad. She is thrilled to be working with the students and faculty at PCC Theatre Department.
Sue Portinga, Running Crew Instructor, Sound Design Mentor
Sue Portinga is a Theatrical Biologist (sidetracked in college by Marine Biology) because her children led her back to the theater while volunteering at DaVinci Arts Middle School. As Touring Stage Manager, her work soon involved Sue in almost all technical aspects of theatre. Hired in 2008 for the rental crew at PCC, Sue has dedicated countless hours to supporting students on the backstage crew. She’s thankful for PCC’s engaged students.
Michael Pfaff, Scene Shop Supervisor
Michael Pfaff is excited to be PCC’s Performing Arts Center (PAF) Coordinator and Scene Shop Supervisor. A Portland-area native, he spent a dozen years in New York City working as a Set Builder, Scene Shop Lead, and Producer in theater, television, and film before settling in the Fashion Photography World.
Upon moving back to the northwest he spent a few short years on the Oregon Coast where he built sets for the Coaster Theatre in Cannon Beach. He is also the proud father of Jake and Frances, and a Student of Economics at PSU.
Diane Trapp, Hair and Makeup
Diane Trapp has been doing hair and makeup for theatre since 1972. She was the Makeup and Hair Designer for Musical Theater Co. (18 years), Eugene Opera (16 years), and Tygre’s Heart Shakespeare Co. (6 years). She has worked for many other companies through the years including the Tacoma Opera, Little Rock Opera, New Rose Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Columbia Dance, Oregon Children’s Theater, and Triangle Theater. Recently, she has worked with Portland Center Stage and Artist’s Repertory Theatre.
Diane has been the Stage Makeup instructor for PCC’s Theatre program for 35 years, and has designed many shows for them including “Amadeus,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Hairspray,” and “Usagi Yojimbo.” Recently, she has guided the students in creating masks for PCC’s “Midsummer Nights Dream.”
In 1984, Diane established Illusionary Designs, a business dedicated to creating hair, makeup, and mask designs for stage productions. Diane is represented by Maskarade, a New Orleans mask gallery, and has participated in that city’s Mardi Gras celebration for over 30 years.
Diane is a proud member of IATSE Local 28, and has since 1999 been part of their wardrobe and hair departments. “I have worked for over 40 years in this industry and love the challenge, the people, and the shows. It’s a great way to make a living.”