LEAP Theater Team at Keller Auditorium in Portland waiting to watch "Wicked".

For Kelley, Scott, Tom and Kelly, four participants in Shangri-La’s Life Enrichment Activities Program, seeing the theater production of “Wicked” was a first time experience that won’t soon be forgotten.

Kelley, Scott, Tom and Kelly have been studying the play during a theater class held every Friday at LEAP. The class is led by volunteer Katie McLean and LEAP support staff Ana. Shangri-La’s Learn, Teach and Act Scholarship, funded by donations in 2011, helped the group purchase tickets to see the show in Portland at Keller Auditorium.

Below are some excerpts from Katie’s review of the experience: (I wanted to leave it as much in Katie’s words as possible)

“Everyone talked non-stop about the show and what they liked.  We discussed the theater, music, costumes, technical aspects, themes, characters, etc. The wicked witch Elphaba was no doubt the favorite character for all! Scott also enjoyed the character Dr. Dillamond who is a teacher at the school for witches … and is a goat! Also everyone enjoyed the dragon clock at the top of the stage and the music. Both Kelley and I we’re afraid of the great and powerful OZ mask and loved all of the different lighting!

[This being a new experience for everyone, I wasn't sure what the reaction would be...] but I was completely blown away by the teams’ attention, behavior and attitude throughout the entire experience.  I am once again reminded to never judge a book by its cover, and always remember that when anyone, especially the differently-abled, are encouraged to try something new, the results may just be above and beyond anything expected. I know that through this live musical theater viewing experience [LEAP's theater team] learned just how much goes into putting on a performance. I know in my heart, and have told the team, that they absolutely can put on a performance and do anything that they put their minds to! I’m sure seeing “Wicked” inspired and enriched their future theater arts efforts.

Thank you Michelle, Ashley and Shangri-La/LEAP for this musical theater experience. And a huge thanks to the Donors who gave us the opportunity to see such wonderful theater! I waited almost ten years to see this show and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing group of people to see and share this experience with. I say this daily because it is so true: there is a reason for everything!”

Katie – Shangri-La and LEAP thank you for all the hard work you have put in to growing the theater class at LEAP. We all look forward to seeing what other magical things you will bring to the program. As always, volunteers are simply awesome.

A face, and forward thinking-force, at Shangri-La for the past 22-years, Director Karen Rutledge was honored at a retirement celebration last Friday at Shangri-La.

Employees and consumers gathered to celebrate Karen’s achievements and legacy, and to give the guest of honor well wishes.

With both humor and solemn Karen shared her best and worst memories at Shangri-La, the things she learned, what she was thankful for, and gave thanks to those she has worked with.

“All people are driven by the same needs: to feel safe, to belong, to express thoughts and needs, to be understood, to have meaningful activity and purpose. There is no “us” and “them’”, said Karen of what her years at Shangri-La had taught her.

She started her career at Shangri-La as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional at Holly Cottage on the original Shangri-La campus, became director of Shangri-La’s DD housing program, opened a center for people with developmental disabilities who also had a psychiatric diagnosis (it was the first center of its kind at the time), served as director of several special projects, and  created an educational program for offenders with barriers to learning (which has since been sold internationally).

Karen shared stories of how her family and Shangri-La had mingled over the years.

“They shared Christmas with consumers, came to numerous Shangri-La picnics, parties and fundraisers … my son Nick was 1 year old when I started work at Shangri-La. One of my fondest memories of him is when he did a class project at Custom Packaging and Manufacturing. He spent a day observing and actually doing some of the work. At the end of the day he was so excited to tell me that one day he wanted a job sorting nuts and bolts.”

Karen doesn’t plan to miss a beat during retirement. Among other things, she has plans to attend classes at CCTV so she can produce her own studio cable tv show, continue genealogy research and eventually self-publish a book about it, and finally read the instruction manuals in order to fully enjoy the features of her television, DVD player, blackberry phone and new tablet.

Shangri-La wishes Karen the best in all of her new adventures.

Top photo: Director Karen Rutledge during her retirement party. 
Bottom photo: Director Jenifer McIntosh and CEO Jan Kral share stories about working with Karen.  

Upcoming Knowledge Network classes scheduled in March, April and May in Salem and Newport.

$50.00 per seat in an already scheduled class, or give us a call to schedule a customized class for your organization.

Call or email for class schedule or more information.

Want a preview of the class? Call our Workforce Development Director to schedule a time to sit in on a class. Preview offer is limited to one person per organization.

Contact information:
Margie Paulson, Workforce Development Director
503-581-1732, x314
margie@shangrilacorp.org