David Hastings Studios

Staged! is inaugurating its Salon Concert Series with The Music of Adam Guettel. A contemporary Broadway composer, Guettel is the grandson of Richard Rogers. His music has been characterized as “Sondeheim on steroids;” difficult, multi-layered and satisfying to perform. With a marvelous mixture of melody, harmony, rhythm, dissonance and resolution, this evening promises to be a great marriage of music, food, and collaboration. The concert will include many selections from all three of Guettel’s current shows, The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins, and Myths and Hymns. Performers include Michelle Kopper-Seymour, Emily Beleele, Andrew Bray and Todd Tschida. David Hastings, accompanist, will have his hands full with a beautiful and very intricate score.

And so the Portland studio becomes a reality.  Beginning September 1st, David will begin teaching in the Portland area. It is exciting to be so centrally located and available to the professional theatre community in Portland.  The studio on Hawthorne will be open Thursdays and Fridays. It’s a great space for private rehearsals, and also large enough to allow for groups to rehearse as well.  And with a 140-degree view of the Hawthorne district out the second floor windows, there is always good people watching available in between studio sessions.  Stop by and say hello when you’re in the area.

From the new work, Fight Call—the Musical, the title song becomes the opening number for PATA’s Fight Night. The musical is set at the Elderberry Community Theatre on opening night of  Mac—the Musical, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The opening number brings together Paige Jones, as the Artistic Director, Andrew Bray as David, the actor, and Suzy Herbert as the Stage Manager. It’s the perfect song to open Fight Night, and the first public performance of this excellent new work by Steven and Billy Rathje. Stage direction by Michelle Kopper-Seymour with Musical direction by David Hastings.

Hey, it’s the first annual Fight Night, a fund-raiser for our fabulous Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA). Produced by Matt Haynes and hosted by Donna Yarborough, this will be a fabulous evening of duets and ensembles performing fight scenes, stage combat, and other shenanigans from their current shows. Twelve local theatre groups are lending their talent to what promises to be a rock ‘em, sock ‘em night of pugilistic performances. And I have been invited along to help provide the musical score and transitions for the evening. Guaranteed to be a fabulous night!

Donna Yarborough (Ring Master) and David Hastings (Pianist and Music Director); PATA Fight Night 2011

Spring has sprung, fall has fell, and now that it’s the New Year, things are hopping like usual. Pardon the housekeeping, but there are several items that have been lost in the transition and need to be reposted. Hang on as we go with a bit of catch up.

You’ve been asking for months! It’s finally here! David Hastings Studios is now open in Portland on Thursday and Friday.

David just signed a long-term lease and was handed the keys last Friday. (If only he would show his excitement…)

He will continue to teach in Salem on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The addition of the Portland Studio will allow him to expand his teaching, making him more accessible to actors, singers, and pianists in the Portland area.

The new studio is on the corner of Hawthorne and SE 33rd Avenue (not too far from Avenue Q!!). It is a bright and airy space, with great acoustics. And it’s in the heart of the Portland arts and theatre district.

David begins teaching there next week, August 11, and is planning an open house toward the end of the month for a grand opening.

Film at 11:00….

This is bizarre – after you find the guy – it’s so obvious. Once you find him – it’s embarrassing, and you think, “Why didn’t I see him immediately?”



Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds, the right half of your brain is better developed than most people. If you find the man between 3 seconds and 1 minute, the right half of the brain is developed normally. If you find the man between 1 minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you might benefit from eating more protein. If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the advice is to look for more of this type of exercise to make that part of the brain stronger! (Music is an activity that crosses the brain hemispheres, strengthening both sides!)

And yes, the man is really there!

Hey, check out the new Kudos and Awards page on the menu bar at the left. Lots of fun things happening in the education and careers of students. Let me know if I missed something or if you want me to tweak something. Keeping track of 60+ students is a challenge sometimes. I don’t want to miss your award, so don’t be shy. So proud of all of you!

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Many of you have watched our younger son, Kevin performing with Rihanna.  Our older son, Jon is preparing for a European tour with his band The Edges.  This is all original music, and Jon is the drummer (wearing the cap) with this very creative team.  Here is their latest music video.  You can also check out their Facebook page for more info.

The Edges: “Sinking Ship”