Portland Center Stage

Portland Center Stage is a professional theatre company located in Portland, Oregon, producing a wide range of plays and musicals each season, including works by William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and August Wilson. As a member of the League of Resident Theatres, Portland Center Stage is part of a network of regional theatre companies that includes Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Guthrie Theater, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. The company has hosted productions directed by notable directors such as Bartlett Sher and Mary Zimmerman, and has featured actors like Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in its productions. Portland Center Stage has also collaborated with other theatres like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

● History

The history of Portland Center Stage dates back to 1988, when it was founded as a non-profit organization by a group of theatre artists including Chris Coleman and Ellen Bye. The company's early productions were staged at various venues in Portland, Oregon, including the Portland Art Museum and the Newmark Theatre. In 1993, Portland Center Stage became a member of the Theatre Communications Group, a national organization that supports theatre companies like the Public Theater and the Mark Taper Forum. Over the years, the company has produced over 400 plays and musicals, including works by Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill, and Lillian Hellman. Portland Center Stage has also hosted productions in collaboration with other theatres like the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the La Jolla Playhouse.

● Productions

Portland Center Stage produces a diverse range of plays and musicals each season, including classics like A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Glass Menagerie, as well as contemporary works by playwrights like Tom Stoppard and Caryl Churchill. The company has also produced musicals like Rent and The Rocky Horror Show, and has hosted productions of operas like La Bohème and The Magic Flute. Portland Center Stage has collaborated with other theatres like the American Conservatory Theater and the Goodman Theatre on productions like The Brother/Sister Plays and The Lieutenant of Inishmore. The company's productions have featured actors like Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington, and have been directed by notable directors like James Lapine and Frank Galati.

● Venue

Portland Center Stage is housed in the Gerding Theater at the Armory, a historic armory building that was renovated in 2006 to become a state-of-the-art theatre venue. The Gerding Theater at the Armory features a mainstage with a seating capacity of over 600 and a studio theater with a seating capacity of over 200. The venue has hosted productions by other theatres like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain, and has been the site of festivals like the Portland Jazz Festival and the Time-Based Art Festival. The Gerding Theater at the Armory is located in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon, near other cultural institutions like the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Symphony.

● Education_and_Community

Portland Center Stage offers a range of education programs for students and adults, including acting classes, playwriting workshops, and theatre history lectures. The company's education programs are designed to promote theatre literacy and to provide opportunities for emerging artists to develop their skills. Portland Center Stage also offers community outreach programs like play readings and theatre workshops in partnership with organizations like the Portland Public Schools and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The company has collaborated with other theatres like the Children's Theatre Company and the Seattle Children's Theatre on education programs and community outreach initiatives.

● Artistic_Leadership

Portland Center Stage is led by Artistic Director Marissa Wolf, who has directed productions at theatres like the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Guthrie Theater. The company's associate artistic director is Jonathan Walters, who has worked with theatres like the Public Theater and the Mark Taper Forum. Portland Center Stage has a resident company of actors and directors who work on productions throughout the season, and the company has hosted guest artists like director Bartlett Sher and actor Helen Mirren. The company's artistic leadership has been recognized with awards like the Regional Theatre Tony Award and the National Medal of Arts.

● Awards_and_Recognition

Portland Center Stage has received numerous awards and nominations for its productions, including Drama Desk Awards, Obie Awards, and Tony Awards. The company has been recognized for its community outreach programs and education initiatives, and has received funding from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Arts Commission. Portland Center Stage has also been named one of the best regional theatres in the country by publications like American Theatre and Theatre Communications Group. The company's productions have been praised by critics like Ben Brantley of The New York Times and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times. Category:Theatres in Portland, Oregon