JAW Play Reading: 809 Almond
By Mylan Gray
809 Almond St. is a Berkeley co-op founded during the anti-war Counterculture movement, but things have changed a lot since the 60's. Instead of marching in the streets, the co-op's residents are starting tech start-ups and launching podcasts. In an effort to get back to their progressive roots, they launch their best DEI initiatives to recruit a Black roommate - eventually they succeed, but their new roommate, Angela, has plans of her own. A dark comedy about race, sex, and late-stage capitalism, 809 Almond explores the blind spots and hypocrisies of well-intentioned liberalism.
JAW New Play Festival FREE! July 24-26, 2026
A week-long assembling of artists and audiences to create new plays! Artistic teams, including playwrights, directors and actors, come together to rehearse — and a lot of times rewrite! — a play. The final piece of the process happens during the weekend, when we share “music stands readings” with audiences so the playwrights can hear their work, often for the very first time!
Mylan Gray is an Eagle Scout and Kansas State Debate champion turned playwright. He is a graduate of Stanford University, where he received the Kennell Jackson Jr. Award for his honors thesis. He has also received the Lorraine Hansberry Award from the Kennedy Center for his play Buried in Blood. Their work has been developed by the Baryshnikov Arts Center, the Cygnet Theatre, the Tank Theater, the Workshop Theater, the Kansas City Public Theater, the Whim Theater Company, the Mid-America Theater Conference, Whitman College, Loyola Marymount College, and the Writing Downtown Residency in Las Vegas. Currently, he is under commission from La Jolla Playhouse for a play about AI companions, masculinity and intimacy.
Most recently, Gray is joining us from his fellowship at Whitman College as Visiting Faculty in Theatre and Dance. His work draws on his deep reverence for Brazil and his penchant for spiritual journeying.
Current & Upcoming
Storm Large Makes it Home
Portland Center Stage presents Storm Large Makes It Home, a gripping new memoir-on-stage from acclaimed singer, actor, and songwriter Storm Large. Featuring new original music written and performed live by Storm, this intimate one-woman show explores family, identity, belonging, and the search for a place to call home.
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Liberace & Liza: A Tribute
Liberace & Liza Minnelli never performed together, but should have! David Saffert & Jillian Snow have created a wildly successful mashup of two over-the-top icons, which is now headed to London’s West End after a sell-out UK tour. Saffert’s dizzying piano skills and Snow’s powerhouse belt team up in songs such as Cabaret, New York, New York, Over the Rainbow and even in surprise covers of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. There are as many laughs as sequins when Liberace & Liza take hilarious turns vying for the spotlight. No matter what, they both come out winning and audiences are left in awe after a night they won’t soon forget. We hope to see you at The Armory and if you’re feeling frisky, come on over and join us in London!
July First Thursday: Game Night (Heated Rivalry Edition)
Happy Pride, Portland! Join us for our Heated Rivalry themed game night at First Thursday where our main event will be an Air Hockey Tournament hosted by Portland United Hockey League. The RSVP link attached is specifically to enter our Air Hockey Tournament. There are only 48 slots for that event, but the rest of the evening and the games involved have no cap! Enjoy complimentary beer from Deschutes Brewery, free Aura Readings from Your Cosmic Crown (6PM-8PM) & free games like: Connect 4, Jenga, UNO & Dunk Bros (from Mario Party 6). There will also be several prizes for the air hockey champ, including a Heated Rivalry: Season One Collector's Edition on 4K & Blu-ray!
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Portland. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at The Armory - Portland under the gentle glow of candlelight.
JAW Play Reading: Cessair: The Birth of Ireland
A new musical with music and lyrics by Holly Harmon, and book and lyrics by Lolly Ward.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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