Artists Repertory Theatre

Artists Repertory Theatre is a professional theatre company located in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1982 by Vana O'Brien. The theatre is known for producing a wide range of plays, from classics by William Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to contemporary works by Sam Shepard and Lanford Wilson. With a focus on showcasing the work of Pacific Northwest playwrights, such as Craig Lucas and Wendy Wasserstein, the theatre has become a staple of the Portland arts scene, alongside other institutions like the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Symphony. The theatre's productions often feature actors from the Portland area, including Allison Janney and Sara Watkins, as well as guest artists from New York City and Los Angeles, such as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchett.

● History

The theatre was founded by Vana O'Brien in 1982, with the goal of creating a professional theatre company that would produce a wide range of plays, from classics to contemporary works. The theatre's early years were marked by productions of plays by Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill, as well as musicals like Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music. The theatre has also produced works by international playwrights, such as Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard, and has collaborated with other theatre companies, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Over the years, the theatre has been led by several artistic directors, including Allen Nause and Dámaso Rodríguez, who have helped shape the theatre's artistic vision and programming. The theatre has also been influenced by the work of other theatre companies, such as the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Guthrie Theater.

● Productions

The theatre's productions have included a wide range of plays, from classics like Hamlet and The Glass Menagerie to contemporary works like Angels in America and The Laramie Project. The theatre has also produced several world premieres, including plays by Northwest playwrights like Octavio Solis and Karen Zacarías. The theatre's productions often feature actors from the Portland area, as well as guest artists from New York City and Los Angeles, such as Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. The theatre has also collaborated with other arts organizations, including the Portland Opera and the Oregon Ballet Theatre, to produce interdisciplinary works like opera and dance theatre. The theatre's productions have been recognized with several awards, including the Drama Desk Award and the Obie Award, and have been praised by critics from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

● Venue

The theatre is located in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon, in a building that was formerly a church. The theatre's venue features a thrust stage and a proscenium arch, and has a seating capacity of approximately 600 seats. The theatre's lobby features a bar and a gallery space, which showcases the work of local visual artists, including painters like Mark Rothko and sculptors like Henry Moore. The theatre is also equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, designed by experts from Yale University and the University of California, Los Angeles. The theatre's venue has been praised by audiences and critics alike, and has been recognized as one of the best theatres in the United States by Theatre Communications Group and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● Company

The theatre company is led by artistic director Dámaso Rodríguez, who has been at the helm since 2013. The company includes a resident ensemble of actors, as well as a staff of production and administrative personnel. The company has also established a new play development program, which provides support and resources to emerging playwrights, including writers like Lynn Nottage and Tracy Letts. The company has also partnered with other theatre companies and arts organizations to produce co-productions and touring productions, including collaborations with the Public Theater and the La Jolla Playhouse. The company's board of directors includes community leaders and arts advocates, such as Phil Knight and Arlene Schnitzer, who have helped shape the theatre's mission and vision.

● Education_and_Outreach

The theatre offers a range of education and outreach programs, including acting classes and workshops for adults and youth. The theatre also offers tours and talkbacks for students and community groups, and has established a partnership with the Portland Public Schools to provide arts education to underserved communities. The theatre has also collaborated with other arts organizations to produce community-based projects, including the Portland Jazz Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival. The theatre's education and outreach programs have been recognized with several awards, including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and the Oregon Arts Commission's Arts in Education Award.

● Awards_and_Recognition

The theatre has received numerous awards and nominations for its productions, including several Drama Desk Awards and Obie Awards. The theatre has also been recognized for its community outreach and education programs, including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and the Oregon Arts Commission's Arts in Education Award. The theatre's artistic director, Dámaso Rodríguez, has been recognized with several awards, including the National Theatre Conference's Person of the Year Award and the Portland Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Award. The theatre has also been praised by critics from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and has been recognized as one of the best theatres in the United States by Theatre Communications Group and the National Endowment for the Arts. The theatre's productions have been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Arts Commission, and have been recognized by awards from the American Theatre Wing and the Dramatists Guild of America.

Category:Theatres in Portland, Oregon