Howard Bickle, Jr.’s theatrical journey started in Sandy. His earliest endeavors came at Sandy High School, where his interest was fueled when Chris Harris became the drama teacher.

“I can’t say enough about how important these high school teachers are;
(Chris Harris) inspired his students to play and create,” said Bickle, who now
lives in Welches. “The last time I felt like throwing up before audition was in
high school.”

After graduating in 1986, Bickle launched into his career, studying at the
United States International University in San Diego (which Bickle described as
the “college version of Fame”) and the University of Minnesota before working
in theaters as an actor and director, including the Guthrie in Minneapolis and
the La Jolla Playhouse.

And now his journey brings him back to where it all started, with Bickle
returning to his roots and his family, including 15 nieces and nephews. This
month, his latest theatrical endeavor, the Wolf Pack Theater in Sandy, will
offer its inaugural production, “Chapter Two,” by Neil Simon.

Bickle sees potential for the new theater in the area, as he reflected on the
number of years he spent in Ashland and witnessed firsthand the effect seven
theater venues can have on a community. He also noted that he doesn’t see
the new theater as competing with established theaters in the area, including
Sandy Actors Theatre and Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company in Boring, but that
more theaters can help support each other, particularly by fostering the
artistic community of actors, directors, designers and more.

“More theater is actually better for the existing theaters,” he said.

Bickle plans on utilizing the people he’s met through the years, including
graduates of SHS who have gone on to successful theatrical careers,
Broadway professionals and other actors based around Portland who have
appeared on television shows such as “Grimm” and “Leverage.”

The theater, located at 39570 Pioneer Blvd. on the east end of Sandy’s
business district, is the smallest house Bickle has worked in, with a capacity of
49 seats. He noted that the intimate space is more like a film or TV studio,
and the actors will have to take that into account for their performances.

“Here, honesty in the performances is so important,” Bickle said. “There is no
hiding anywhere.”

He chose “Chapter Two” because of the parallels to his own life, as the show
deals with the loss of a loved one. In the play, George Schneider, a recent
widower, starts dating but ends up with bad matches until he finds the Jennie
Malone.

“I immediately identify with it,” Bickle said. “If we’re focusing on honesty, the
best art needs vulnerability and personal connections.”

Bickle, who is directing and playing the role of George, noted the play has the
expected comedy and precision timing that Neil Simon is known for, but it also
has some sensitive and dramatic moments along with “very relatable
characters.”

“He’s much deeper than I had anticipated,” he said. “I think that’s what
people will recognize with this show.”

Bickle is also utilizing his large family as a resource for the show, including his
brother, Jason, serving as the master carpenter, his dad as the house
manager and his mom as a seamstress.

And while Bickle is still honing the upcoming season for his fledgling theater,
he hopes to include “Sylvia,” by A.R. Gurney and “The Weir,” by Conor
McPherson.

And with all the support he’s received so far, Bickle has a good feeling about
the latest chapter in his theatrical, and life’s, journey.

“We’ve got the right energy, so to speak, to make it work,” he said.

The Wolf Pack Theater presents “Chapter Two,” by Neil Simon, from Thursday,
June 1 through Sunday, July 2, at 39570 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy. Show times
are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $18
for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For more information,
visit www.wolfpacktheater.com or call 541-722-2667.