The Red Door Project

Mission

The Red Door Project’s mission is to bridge divides and address pressing social and cultural issues through the power of narrative art. We undertake our work through the performance of dramatized personal stories, facilitated conversations, and by creating non-judgmental environments where people with diverse perspectives can share their authentic selves. 

Currently, we are focused on the conflict between our justice systems and the communities they serve, which results in racial profiling, disparities in sentencing, and other undue harms which disproportionately impact low income communities of color, particularly Black and Native communities.

Bottom Line for Portland

Our core program, the Evolve Experience, centers around performances of true stories from racially diverse police officers, judges, and community members’ experiences at the intersection of race, policing, and the wider justice sector. 

Evolve is built on the premise that, as one recent participant put it, “You can argue with an idea, but it's harder to argue, and easier to identify with, someone's story.” Through these performances, we create an environment in which participants begin to appreciate and understand the circumstances and experiences of others, and an awareness of our fundamental interconnectedness.

Through Evolve we are changing the way justice sector professionals interact with community members, and how those communities understand the institutions and individuals who have sworn to protect and serve them. Evolve creates opportunities for transformation at the individual, community, and institutional levels.

Quote

“The Evolve Experience was the perfect blend of theater and education. The performance invited participants to approach topics with both our heads and our hearts, and tackled issues with sensitivity and straightforwardness in equal measure. This was a powerful theatrical experience, and an important reminder of how art can help us heal.”

- S. Albert, Evolve Participant, Tower Theatre, March 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Red Door is built on a foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It's at the core of everything we do! We are guided by the adage “Nothing About Me Without Me” therefore we engage both people of color and justice sector professionals in the ongoing assessment and development of our work.

Partner(s)

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria is a Portland mainstay and long-term partner of the Red Door Project. Treat yourself to a taco on their patio, and feel free to bring your dog!

NW Printed Solutions is our long-term printing partner, and they will be supporting our campaign with discounted printing services.