BANNED is a new project inspired by recent stories of challenged books, restricted and banned across the US. It is an investigation into the fear that prompts this desire for censorship and the people most affected by the loss of these stories.

During the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America recorded 10,046 instances of book bans across the United States. In 2023, the both local Canby and West Linn-Wilsonville school districts headlined the news media for controversial book challenges and bans. This new work seeks to have a conversation about censorship in contemporary times happening not only in ‘far off’ conservative states like Florida and Texas but also in our own backyard. How did we get here? What happens in a world without books?

BANNED culminates Hand2Mouth's 2024/25 Season about censorship and banned books with this new devised work incorporating community interviews, personal stories, and research while looking through an irreverent lens. We laugh to keep from crying and take you on a journey for our love of words. 

“There's something to offend everyone in the library, and people are just 

taking that offense and wanting to make a blanket statement by getting 

rid of the things that offend just them, without thinking that there's all these 

other people out there that may need that information.”
- Interviewed Librarian

Performances: May 24 - June 7, 2025
Thursday-Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 5:00pm

Tickets:
General Admission Super Supporter $40
General Admission $25
Students/Seniors $15
Arts for All $5

Location: Shaking the Tree, 823 SE Grant Street, Portland, OR 97214

Learn more about the 2023 banned book incidents in Oregon here:

Moms want books banned at West Linn-Wilsonville schools | kgw.com

West Linn-Wilsonville schools will keep controversial books | kgw.com

West Linn-Wilsonville SD votes to keep controversial books after push for ban (kptv.com)

Oregon school district pulls 36 books after 2 parents complain, sparking student protests - oregonlive.com

Students protest removal of 36 books from Canby school libraries | kgw.com

More than 35 Books Pulled from Canby High Library for Reconsideration – The Canby Current (canbyfirst.com)

Students, Community Members Sound Off on Book Challenges – The Canby Current (canbyfirst.com)

After complaints about 36 books, Canby School District bans just 1 - oregonlive.com