Artslandia at the Performance: Portland Playhouse Nov/Dec 2014 | Page 30

Q+A

MAKING
OREGON
A DESIGN

DESTINATION
In Oregon, land of sports apparel giants, we’re well attuned to the idea
of designers as prime movers in business and culture. So it’s not at all
strange to find Christopher Acebo, a set and costume designer, in not
one but two prominent positions: Acebo is associate artistic director at
the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he collaborates with Artistic
Director Bill Rauch on season planning, creative team selection, casting,
strategy and producing the plays. He’s also a member of the Oregon Arts
Commission since October 2013, where he contributes to advocacy,
planning and policy for the broader, statewide cultural good.
A genial genius, Acebo frequently makes the rounds of Portland theaters, but we got his
designer’s-eye view via phone and email from his office in Ashland. BY MARTY HUGHLEY.

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ARTSLANDIA AT THE PERFORMANCE MARCH | APRIL