Tom and Ken, both distinguished high school drama directors, community theater supporters and artists in their own rights, conceived of the project.  After their deaths, memorial funds were established, money from which has been dedicated by their wives to help establish their dream project in their memories and for the elevation and refinement of theater arts in the schools.

The project will be a conference day partly consisting of workshops involving all of the Salem-Keizer high school drama departments.  Some workshops will involve students bringing prepared material while others will focus on aspects of the art such as voice, dance, characterization, script analysis, etc.  Workshops will be conducted by professionals who will provide input for students during the workshops.

A Five-Year Plan includes progress in three years toward students being auditioned and directed by a professional director in the fourth and fifth year conferences.  To achieve this, students will prepare and submit audition materials to the director prior to the conference.  From these the director will cast a scene or cutting.  The chosen cast will memorize lines in preparation for blocking and character work on conference day.

Throughout the conference days on years four and five, all participating students will have time to observe the director in action as he and his cast prepare the selection for performance.  The day will climax with a performance by the professionally directed cast and possibly select showcases of work completed in workshop.

It was Quanbeck who took it upon herself to follow through on Tom and Ken’s ideas, enlisting the assistance of Jaskoski.

As initial steps in planning the project, Quanbeck and Jaskoski developed a mission statement and goals.  Then a list of planning steps was worked out as well as an example of a conference-day schedule and conference preparation necessities.  Salem-Keizer support was also arranged.

Next, high school drama teachers were contacted in order to solicit their observations and reactions to the proposed project.  Initial meetings with them were highlighted by the teachers giving abundant, excellent suggestions.

Now that critical foundations have been established, teachers, Jaskoski, Quanbeck and Raschkes will undertake to refine the original ideas and work out details that will assure a successful first conference.  Among other things it is intended that this will lead to continuing teacher support and students clamoring to be involved in future conferences, making it a respected, edifying and exciting annual event.

In addition to the memorial funds, the program will be seeded with grant monies, the goal being to make it incrementally more self-sustaining during subsequent years.

Those wanting to contribute to the project can send donations to: CTF, P.O. Box 4622, Salem, OR 97302-8622.  Want to be involved?  Contact Tim Jaskoski at 503-585-7695.