Arts scene vibrant, varied

Arts organizations in Clark County run the gamut in size and focus, from the 70-member Vancouver Symphony to small galleries such as Just Plain Ol Folks in Hockinson. Here’s a sampling of what the local arts scene has to offer:

Christian Youth Theater Vancouver/Portland: http://cytvancouver.com.

Vancouver Symphony: http://vancouversymphony.org.

Tears of Joy Theatre: http://tojt.com.

Southwest Washington Center for the Arts: http://center4thearts.com.

Columbia Dance: http://coldance.org.

Northwest Classical Ballet: http://nwclassicalballet.com.

Vancouver Dance Theatre: http://vancouverdancetheatre.com.

Magenta Theater: http://magentatheater.com.

The New Blue Parrot Theatre: http://newblueparrot.com.

Bravo! Vancouver: http://www.bravoconcerts.com/.

Clark College Orchestra: http://clark.edu.

Southwest Washington Watercolor Society: http://swwswatercolor.org.

Southwest Washington Wind Symphony: http://swwindsymphony.org.

North Bank Artists Gallery: http://northbankartistsgallery.com.

Slocum House Theatre Company: http://www.slocumhouse.com/.

Camas Performing Arts Series: http://eccgas.org.

Washougal International Film Festival: http://washougalfilmfest.org.

Magenta Theater is breathing new life into the downtown Vancouver arts scene, offering a mix of family-friendly and adult programming and playing host to a variety of outside comedy, music and theater groups.

The community theater troupe, under the leadership of founder and artistic director Jaynie Roberts, has expanded its scope since moving from a local church into the former Arts Equity space on Main Street in November 2008.

Magenta broke in its new home with a children’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in March, and has remained busy ever since. The troupe has staged shows ranging from “Steel Magnolias” to “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” The group’s 2010 season kicked off earlier this month with the romantic comedy “Crossing Delancey.”

In addition to full-length productions, Magenta performed the 15-minute one-act production “Can’t Always Get What You Want” continuously for three hours during downtown Vancouver’s First Friday event in June. It also offers acting classes and classroom-themed improvisational comedy through the Magenta Theater Academy.

Post-move, Magenta Theater has opened its doors to other groups, as well. It’s played host to productions from The Golden Garter Theatre and ComedySportz-Portland, among other entertainers.

Magenta historically has focused on family-friendly fare, but the company expanded its range this Halloween with an edgy thriller.

“Wait Until Dark” was a risk intended to meet audience demand for more adult material, and it paid off, said Roberts, 54, of Vancouver. After each performance of the Frederick Knott play, she asked theatergoers how they felt about the edgier material. Roberts said she was met with applause, and that patrons cheered when she asked whether they’d like to see more shows in that vein.

Based on “Wait Until Dark’s” warm reception, Magenta Theater plans to make an annual tradition of staging darker thrillers or mysteries in October. This year’s offering will be “Murder in Green Meadows” by Douglas Post, which centers on two neighboring couples whose friendship has a sinister side.

“I guess they wanted it, and we delivered it, and we will continue in that direction,” Roberts said.

The changes Magenta has brought to the Clark County arts scene are joined by other additions and subtractions. Downtown Vancouver co-op Gallery 21 closed last summer after 21 years.

The Joyce Garver Theater was closed as well, forcing the Camas Performing Arts Series to relocate.

Other arts endeavors have flourished. Art in the Heart II, the second outdoor First Friday event organized by Art on the Boulevard and other local galleries, enjoyed increased artist participation in 2009 and expanded from one day to two.

The second annual Washougal International Film Festival featured more than 200 films, and filmmakers from as far away as Germany and Switzerland spoke about their work.