Recent Educational Productions
Her Story (2017-2019)
(Funded by Juan Young Trust, Templeton Foundation, and Starseed Foundation)
Her Story featured 7 talented high-school singers, actresses and musicians, powerful multi-media images, and 8 songs co-written by Rick Weiss, Kate Finn and students at Holy Family School. The show presented vignettes and songs about 8 extraordinary women and their impact on our world, including Joan of Arc, Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, J.K. Rowling, Malala Yousafzi and Oprah Winfrey. Seeing and hearing these inspirational stories presented by inspiring young performers made history come alive for girls and boys at several Portland elementary schools in 2019.
Rave Reviews for “Her Story”
Our students had the pleasure of seeing Stages of Life’s production Her Story, performed beautifully by a cast of high school age students. The sets, costumes, and music helped set the tone for a historical perspective of important women throughout history. There was comedy, drama, and a little mystery. I encourage school administrators to bring this production to their school.
Amy Jefferis, Principal
St. Thomas More School
Our 3rd-5th grade students and staff really enjoyed watching the “Her Story” performance at Stephenson. The young student performers did an excellent job acting and sharing the female perspective and telling stories about famous women leaders from Sacajawea to Frida Kahlo. In today’s world it is most important to hear multiple perspectives and learn cultural relevant understanding. “Her Story” is an assembly you must see.”
Carlos Galindo, Principal of Stephenson Elementary
Science Rocks
2015-2017
(Funded by Juan Young Trust and Templeton Foundation)
Science Rocks! featured a talented 8-piece high-school rock band, powerful multi-media images, and 8 songs co-written by Rick Weiss, Kate Finn and students at Holy Family School. The show was a high-energy scientific tour-de-force through such topics as the physics behind music to DNA to super-massive black holes to the centuries of discovery and invention that led to the smartphone. Featured songs included “DNA” (to the tune of “TNT” by AC/DC), “I Love Rocks that Roll”, and “Heavy Metals” (which was literally about heavy metals.)
Rave Reviews for “Science Rocks!”
“Music, young adult students performing, and science curriculum all rolled into an assembly – makes for great entertainment while learning!”
Loretta Wiltgen
Principal, Holy Family Catholic School
“Science Rocks” is an educational blast! My students were bopping their heads while they read along with the lyrics."
Matt Gregor
6th grade teacher
Upcoming Productions
Starting in the fall of 2019, Weiss and Finn will begin working with middle school students to create mini-musicals about the origins of different styles of music, from Bach to bebop to beat-box. (performed in the various musical styles). These will become the basis for a new touring production- “The History Behind the Hits”, which will begin production in fall of 2020, and be available for school bookings in 2021.
Stages of Life is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide original musical productions that will educate, entertain and inspire members of our community of all ages. Over the past twenty years, co-founders Rick Weiss and Kate Finn have produced several musicals for student audiences, including “Origins of Popular Music” and “Pianopalooza” (through Young Audiences of Oregon); as well as “No Ifs, Ands or Butts” (an anti-tobacco musical); and “The Rise of the Evil Hamsters (and Other Stories)”.
"The Rise of the Evil Hamsters (and other stories)"
In June we premiered an original all-ages musical: "THE RISE OF THE EVIL HAMSTERS (AND OTHER STORIES)", featuring songs we have written with hundreds of local students over the last ten years, performed by a talented ensemble of high school performers. We are currently touring this show in local grade schools, where our goal is to inspire kids to write and present, as well as offer our cast an opportunity to perform at a professional level.
