LES Shakespeare is a young socially conscience ethnically diverse theatre company. We are committed to reaching out to the community and promoting accessibility to all while focusing on new and classical works using innovative ideas, and collaborating within an ensemble. LES Shakes’ focus is to shake up Shakespeare, CREATE like Shakespeare, and reach out to the community.

Bee زنبور has received a Headwater Subsidized Space Residency and we are excited to finally have our Portland premiere for this show. Sadly, due to the pandemic Bee a week before rehearsals started was canceled in 2020.

Upcoming Show:
November 3-19th, 2023
Friday-Sunday at 7.30pm

Headwaters Theatre
55 NE Farragut St. #4
Portland, OR 97211

BEE زنبور :

Bee زنبور is the story of Izat, an Iranian girl trapped in an abusive marriage in the 1940s. After years of suffering both physically and mentally at the hands of her spouse, she knows the only way she will survive is if she is able to leave him. In an unprecedented move, her father uses his influence to secure a divorce for her. Based on a true story and inspired by a collection of interviews with Middle Eastern immigrants and refugees. The play explores the strength of family, fleeing your home, and immigration. 

Bee زنبور was developed in 2017 at Barns Art Collective (Maine) and HB Residency (NYC). HB Studio has had its Residency program for seven years and for the first time took a workshop production and moved it to their Playwrights Theatre in June 2018. There is a Middle Eastern population in the Portland area and very rarely are there opportunities to see Middle Eastern actors onstage telling their stories.

 

Our Goals:
We believe strongly that the more we learn about our history and other cultures we can go beyond our differences and find our humanity and make our future better. Our goal for this production is to provide a safe platform for discussion and change.

This piece is based on Melody Erfani's paternal grandmother's life. Erfani says, "I want to tell her story now more than ever. I feel that in a time where we as Americans are talking about building walls and refusing immigrants the ability to find refuge here, there is a deep need to see the individual and humanize those who apply."

What We Need to Make it Happen:

We are raising a minimum of $20,000 to go towards the following:

We have raised a total of $8,400 and need $20,000 more to make our goal.

...and donating makes YOU the bee's knees!

And so the last member of the team is you. We cannot do this without you. This is a collective offering of voices - and you’re part of our collective. 

Be our hive.

Donate and get a bee in your honor. We will receive a digital image of your personalized bee and it will be shown in a display at the lobby of the theatre as well as in a social media blast.

Help us gain buzz! We have the power to soar when we come together.

All of your donations to our campaign are tax-deductible! 

And if you can't donate right now...

So talk about us. Post about us. Share the campaign. Share about the show. Share the BUZZ.

Give your support through money BUT  if you can't give money, help us amplify our voice.