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| Janet Bradley |
Day of the Dead ... in Portland this means so much to just a handful of people. For several years now Olga and I have built a community altar in the lobby of the theatre. It is seen by many, but just a few actually know about the time and attention that go into the details. For the actual building of the altar, there are all the specifics of water, rum, salt, ash, flowers, cinnamon, marigolds, bells, candies, crosses and calaveras. But the bigger decisions start in the office staff meeting of who should be in the top spot of the altar. As the years pass, we continue to make room for so many more people we knew who have joined the spirits. The first year it was Ruben Sierra, our patron saint of Milagro. Then Jim Cuevas. Next it was my mom and my best friend; then Tim’s dad, Jose’s mom, then Tim’s mom. Every year the altar seems to get smaller and smaller as we crowd the photos of our loved ones and friends around glasses of tequila and marigolds. This year we honor Janet Bradley, co-founder of Tears of Joy Theatre. Janet was the first people to “show me the ropes” as I made my way to booking conferences to start up Teatro Milagro and the first person to always flash a smile when you were uncertain of who your friends were in a room full of strangers. I am very honored to have included myself as one of her friends and hopefully her spirit will rejoice with the ofredas that we have made for her.
--Danel Malan
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