When our team set out to demonstrate the impact of arts, heritage, and humanities nonprofits on Oregon communities, we wanted to know, “Why does their work matter? To whom?” We wanted to see how first-hand.

Nowhere was evidence more amply supplied than on a remarkable corner of Southeast Portland.

The Miracle Theatre Group has staged entertainment since 1985—this we knew going in. Close to thirty years later, it’s grown into the Pacific Northwest’s premiere Latino arts and culture organization, with a touring company that brings original bilingual theatre productions and educational residencies to underserved communities across America. 

Our cameras found Miracle in mid-September, gearing up for its annual (and much celebrated) Day of the Dead show. This year, it’s an original, creative collaboration called “Raiz” (or “Root”). Arturo Martinini, an Italian working in the U.S. for the first time, will direct. 

It seemed perfectly fitting for a place whose mission is “to share the diversity of Latin America and advocate for global unity through theatre” to work with a European director on its signature show. As mainstage artistic director Olga Sanchez told us, “It’s about understanding your neighbors better. Ultimately what we’re looking at is the human experience.”