Joey Pipia, Owner
Donation protected
“The Perfect Intimate Venue”
You Can Save Port Townsend's Only Independent Theater and School for Young Actors
Thousands of lives have been enriched through Independent theater, programs for youth, and free rehearsal space for local festivals hosted at The Chameleon Theater and School for Young Actors. A GoFundMe campaign is now active to help keep the venue open.
“Some degree of normality by the fall,” said Dr. Fauci about the current situation. This despite the rocky rollout of the vaccine. Your help will get The Chameleon through to the end.
Joey, the artistic director, has not taken pay since the pandemic started. The money raised from this campaign will go to rent, utilities, and other expenses. The Chameleon has survived by reduced rent, abatement, and a forward thinking landlord.
Here’s a little about what has gone on at The Chameleon Theater, and you’ll know why we need to save it!
Water Street Start
Joey started teaching acting classes on Water Street nearly fifteen years ago. When that space was no longer available, he taught at the Port Townsend Yacht Club for two years before moving to this current space where he built a full theater: lighting, seating, green room, and an awesome lobby.
The Chameleon Theater and School for Young Actors have been at this location for ten years.
Camps, Local Teachers, Original Offerings
“My son has worked with Joey since he was 4 years old,” says Celia Walden. Her son is in the current year round program for teens with monthly performances and weekly rehearsal.
The Chameleon, though, is not just kids, adults benefit too. Original programs and educational opportunities range from summer programs featuring international, national and local theater artists to ongoing, year round workshops.
Independent Plays and Productions
“This truly is a special place,” says Rosaletta Curry who presented “The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe”. The Chameleon is home to many productions from different local companies. Among them: The Olympic Valley Players who recently wowed with Sam Sheppards’, “Buried Child”: “The Descent of Imanna,” by Richard Overman;
“Rosebud: the Lives of Orson Welles,” featuring Erik Van Buezakom; “Song of Myself: the Poetry of Walt Whitman,” featuring Dillon Porter; Flamenco Dance, featuring the artist, Savannah Fuentes; “The Last of Us”, featuring Richard Clairmont, Amy Sousa and Caleb Stengal, directed by Jeremiah Morgan, written by Peninsula College Professor, Wes Cecil.
In House Plays and Productions
Awarding winning theater experiences like production of Tom Stoppard’s, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”, groundbreaking long-form Improv like, “Shakespeare In The Dark”; and the kid’s play which had a full cast of young actors, “Noonie's Masterpiece in Purple,” featuring Rosie Bugel-Shunra are among the local productions staged at The Chameleon Theater.
Additional shows and educational programs included “The Magic Chamber’” featuring Joey Pipia, “The Psychic Dynasty” featuring Joey and his daughter, and The Pipia Sisters (Phina AND Sophie) free theater immersion for kids, and the annual Improv-a-thon, 24-hours of improv.
The Wooden Boat
Each year, The Wooden Boat Festival features - among its many entertainment options - the annual pirate play. That means each year an original play is presented at the festival. This original play must be written, cast, rehearsed, and delivered, ready-to-go when the festival opens.
The Chameleon has served as a writing and rehearsal space, as well as a set building venue for the cast of the Pirate Play. This unique experience has served a kind incubator for those who participate. In fact, more than one cast member has used this experience (and Joey’s mentorship) as a stepping stone to future college and, ultimately, jobs in the theater industry.
“This was a truly unique learning experience,” says Madeline Levy who went on to become a professional stage manager.
The Theater
“The Perfect Intimate Venue” was coined by Kathy Meyer in her article that appeared in The Leader newspaper about The Chameleon. Please donate to help keep it going!
You Can Save Port Townsend's Only Independent Theater and School for Young Actors
Thousands of lives have been enriched through Independent theater, programs for youth, and free rehearsal space for local festivals hosted at The Chameleon Theater and School for Young Actors. A GoFundMe campaign is now active to help keep the venue open.
“Some degree of normality by the fall,” said Dr. Fauci about the current situation. This despite the rocky rollout of the vaccine. Your help will get The Chameleon through to the end.
Joey, the artistic director, has not taken pay since the pandemic started. The money raised from this campaign will go to rent, utilities, and other expenses. The Chameleon has survived by reduced rent, abatement, and a forward thinking landlord.
Here’s a little about what has gone on at The Chameleon Theater, and you’ll know why we need to save it!
Water Street Start
Joey started teaching acting classes on Water Street nearly fifteen years ago. When that space was no longer available, he taught at the Port Townsend Yacht Club for two years before moving to this current space where he built a full theater: lighting, seating, green room, and an awesome lobby.
The Chameleon Theater and School for Young Actors have been at this location for ten years.
Camps, Local Teachers, Original Offerings
“My son has worked with Joey since he was 4 years old,” says Celia Walden. Her son is in the current year round program for teens with monthly performances and weekly rehearsal.
The Chameleon, though, is not just kids, adults benefit too. Original programs and educational opportunities range from summer programs featuring international, national and local theater artists to ongoing, year round workshops.
Independent Plays and Productions
“This truly is a special place,” says Rosaletta Curry who presented “The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe”. The Chameleon is home to many productions from different local companies. Among them: The Olympic Valley Players who recently wowed with Sam Sheppards’, “Buried Child”: “The Descent of Imanna,” by Richard Overman;
“Rosebud: the Lives of Orson Welles,” featuring Erik Van Buezakom; “Song of Myself: the Poetry of Walt Whitman,” featuring Dillon Porter; Flamenco Dance, featuring the artist, Savannah Fuentes; “The Last of Us”, featuring Richard Clairmont, Amy Sousa and Caleb Stengal, directed by Jeremiah Morgan, written by Peninsula College Professor, Wes Cecil.
In House Plays and Productions
Awarding winning theater experiences like production of Tom Stoppard’s, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”, groundbreaking long-form Improv like, “Shakespeare In The Dark”; and the kid’s play which had a full cast of young actors, “Noonie's Masterpiece in Purple,” featuring Rosie Bugel-Shunra are among the local productions staged at The Chameleon Theater.
Additional shows and educational programs included “The Magic Chamber’” featuring Joey Pipia, “The Psychic Dynasty” featuring Joey and his daughter, and The Pipia Sisters (Phina AND Sophie) free theater immersion for kids, and the annual Improv-a-thon, 24-hours of improv.
The Wooden Boat
Each year, The Wooden Boat Festival features - among its many entertainment options - the annual pirate play. That means each year an original play is presented at the festival. This original play must be written, cast, rehearsed, and delivered, ready-to-go when the festival opens.
The Chameleon has served as a writing and rehearsal space, as well as a set building venue for the cast of the Pirate Play. This unique experience has served a kind incubator for those who participate. In fact, more than one cast member has used this experience (and Joey’s mentorship) as a stepping stone to future college and, ultimately, jobs in the theater industry.
“This was a truly unique learning experience,” says Madeline Levy who went on to become a professional stage manager.
The Theater
“The Perfect Intimate Venue” was coined by Kathy Meyer in her article that appeared in The Leader newspaper about The Chameleon. Please donate to help keep it going!
Organizer
Joey Pipia
Organizer
Port Townsend, WA