Black Nativity Director, PassinArt Artistic Director, Board President

Jerry Foster is an actor and director actively involved in the arts within the Portland Metropolitan area for more than 30 years. Jerry co-founded the Inner City Youth program in 1992. In 1995, he became PassinArt: A Theatre Company’s Artistic Director and currently serves as Board President.

His stage credits and performances include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, A Soldiers’ Play, Deceptive Love, The Pews, Pill Hill, A Sunbeam, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, Driving Miss Daisy, Big River, and Two Trains Running.

Directing credits include Black Nativity, Juneteenth & Kwanza Celebration for the North Portland library, and the Peace Festival for Black Women for Peace.

Jerry has worked in news media for over 28 years. In 2019, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Sigma Omega Chapter presented Jerry with the prestigious Emerald Award for the Arts honoring African American Men for community contributions and leadership.

1 Comment

  • Elizabeth Hayes
    Posted February 3, 2025 10:04 pm 0Likes

    My name is Elizabeth Hayes and I cover the arts for the Portland Business Journal. I am writing a story about the state of Portland’s theater ecosystem and would love to speak with Jerry or Clarice about Passinart’s situation. Please get in touch at the email address above or at 503-219-3436. My deadline is next week, so it would be ideal to speak with you this week, if possible. Thank you!

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