Birds Flying Through: A Benefit Event for Lane Audubon and Cascades Raptor Center

Five local composers have created a score featuring nine poems written by Eugene poet Deborah Narin-Wells. These exciting new musical treatments explore how the roles of daughter, wife, and mother influence what it means to be a whole woman.

Andrea Halliday and Anice Thigpen of A-Squared Productions have a tradition of supporting theme-related organizations for events they create. In 2022, they have enjoyed working to increase awareness for, and support of, the Lane County Audubon Society (LCAS) and Cascades Raptor Center (CRC) as part of their upcoming show, Birds Flying Through. This musical drama with poetry, song, and dance will be presented at Lane Community College’s Ragozzino Theater at 7:30 pm on September 30 and October 1, and at 2 pm on October 2.

The production began when Anice met local poet Deborah Narin-Wells, and they began to collaborate on setting Deborah’s poems to music. The poetry led Anice to study birds and their songs so that she could incorporate their influence into her music compositions. Her subsequent increased awareness of our feathered friends was life-changing. Supporting and engaging with birds has now become an essential part of her daily life. This artful inspiration has, in turn, catalyzed a new fascination with birds in the other founder of A-Squared Productions, Andrea Halliday.

We hope that the poetry, music, and dance in Birds Flying Through will inspire more members of our community to support our bird populations. Proceeds from the sale of the poetry collection will be donated to LCAS and CRC. Please look for the collection in our local bookstores, CRC, and in the lobby of the LCC’s Ragozzino Theater. Tickets go on sale on August 16, 2022. To learn more about the show, please visit A-Squared Productions.