OUTview online; NEWS and VIEWS, What's your VIEW?: (SHOWcase) Inside MK's Secret Project!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

(SHOWcase) Inside MK's Secret Project!

Our very own, MK Scott (whose Full name is Michael Scott Shafer-Montgomery) has been working on a secret project for as long as OUTview has been in existence.

MK says he wouldn't be who he is today without his Mentor, James N. Erickson, a legend in the Portland Theater Community. Erickson was the Theater Arts Teacher for Beaverton High School for 29 years, until his retirement in 1999 and his eventual death in 2004. Erickson was like a Broadway caliber Director, Choreographer, Designer and Producer all at the same time. As MK has mentioned on more than one occasion, several other notables got their start under the style of Erickson, including our very own Jesse Archer (Jesse on the Brink, Four Letter Word) as well as Broadway stars, Brooks Ashmanskas (currently seen in on Broadway in 'Bullets over Broadway') and Shoshana Bean (Wicked) and Recording artists like, Stephanie Schneiderman.

As the keeper of the past and how we can create more talent in the future, MK has carried on the Erickson Legacy with creating a Fund to help to preserve the legacy and to help keep After-School Theater Programs alive.

One way to create interest was to curate an exhibit for the Beaverton History Center, which opened this past week to rave reviews. The exhibit runs through until August 28th.

One of the rare moments was the press coverage, instead of reporting the News, MK was in the news.

The following are 2 articles related to MK's work in his hometown of Beaverton, OR:

The Oregonian (3/28/14)
The Beaverton Times (5/29/14)

Related to this project, is the fund to help struggling after school Arts programs, and to keep LGBTQA teens engaged and give them a sense of importance. This will be part of OUTview's new commitment for community involvement and coverage.

Please Help support this project so many more youth can enjoy the experience MK once had and fulfill their dreams. To join the FB Page for the James N. Erickson Legacy Project, click HERE.