Support Basement Stair Collective

Welcome to the Basement Stair Collective, where we delve into the depths of the human experience to create art that is both horrific and joyful. We are an experimental performance collective based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of creativity at the intersection of music, movement, poetry, and the macabre. Led by four visionary founders—Claire Elizabeth Aldridge, Becca Wirta, Kora Katherine Link, and Rachel Lindsey Routh—we are on a mission to tell stories that explore the underbelly of existence in all its complexity.

Our Story:

We met during the Portland Experimental Theater Ensemble’s Institute for Contemporary Performance. Throughout that year of experimentation and play, the four of us were continually drawn to each other's work. We found that we share a drive to examine the dark and slimy corners of life with love and tenderness, and tell the stories of the characters we find there. We convey the heart-aching tales of what it is to be alive through experimental music, movement, and poetry. After the program, the four of us knew we had to keep making work together. This year, we officially marked ourselves as the Basement Stair Collective.

Meet the Founders:

- Claire Elizabeth Aldridge (they/she): A queer interdisciplinary artist with a passion for pushing the boundaries of form. Claire's artistic journey spans dance, theater, poetry, and sculpture, and their commitment to collaboratively driven works has led to numerous groundbreaking projects.

- Becca Wirta: (she/her) Becca brings her passion for life, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for the macabre to the Basement Stair Collective. With a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre Performance as well as Rhetoric and Media Studies, Becca sees herself at a crossroads as both a person and an artist with a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience, Becca's contributions add depth and richness to our performances.

- Kora Katherine Link (she/they): A performer, musician, and maker with a keen interest in themes of embodiment, ritual, and social change. Kora's diverse skill set and unique perspective enrich our collective's work, whether she's composing music, designing soundscapes, or performing on stage.

- Rachel Lindsey Routh (they/them): A versatile performer with a love of devising and a background in Shakespeare, puppetry, and movement. Rachel's commitment to vulnerability and authenticity infuses our performances with raw emotion and power.

At the Basement Stair Collective, we believe in the transformative power of art to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and find beauty in the grotesque. With your support, we can continue to create innovative, boundary-pushing performances that challenge and inspire audiences. Your contribution will help us cover production costs, venue fees, artist fees, and materials, and allow the founding artists and their collaborators to do what they do best: Create.

Don't stop there! While your monetary donations are crucial to our work, the best support you can offer is by joining us for our upcoming performances:

1. GRINDHOUSE: Join us for our upcoming performance of GRINDHOUSE, where we'll take audiences on a journey through the disgusting world of one not-so-average nuclear family

Dates: - April 12, 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. - April 13, 9 p.m. - April 14, 7:30 p.m. Grab your tickets here: GRINDHOUSE Tickets

2. SKINSHOW: Join Creature and Monster in the dressing room of a seedy cabaret as they move through the performance of what it is to be alive in a queer body.

Date: April 20th at 7:30 p.m. Location: The Clinton St Theater Grab your tickets here: SKINSHOW Tickets

Join us on our journey to uncover the hidden truths of existence and celebrate the horrific joy of being alive.

Thank you for your support!