Performance Works Northwest Inc

Based in its S.E. Portland home since 2000, PWNW was founded in 1999 by Artistic Director Linda Austin and Technical Director Jeff Forbes. Their extensive relationships with performers and other artist-run spaces around the country combine with a ceaseless spirit of inquiry to provide rich and compelling programming for Northwest audiences. Supporting the untamed desires of artists is their passion; sharing that passion creates connections and community.

Choreographer and performer Linda Austin returned to her native Oregon in 1998 after 20 years in New York City, where her work was supported by Movement Research, Danspace Project, P.S. 122 and the Kitchen. She has since been presented by PICA’s TBA Festival, NW New Works at Seattle’s On the Boards,  and Ten Tiny Dances. Awards include Fellowships from the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Oregon Arts Commission, plus residencies at Djerassi Resident Artists Program (Bessie Schönberg Memorial Endowed Fellowship) and Robert Wilson’s Watermill Center.

A ten-time winner of the Willie and Drammy Awards for theatre, Jeff Forbes has worked as a lighting designer and technical director since 1981. He designs for a wide range of theatre and dance companies including Ate9 dANCe cOMPANY, Imago Theatre, Linda Austin Dance, and the NW Dance Project; and works as a technical director/manager for both PICA and White Bird Dance.