We Love Our Audiences!
The powerful words of our audiences lift us up and keep us going strong in even the best of times. Now more than ever, we are inspired by the moving feedback we've received about our productions. We look back to give us strength, as we plan for the glorious moment when we can all gather again and lift up each other's voices.
Your words are keeping us strong!
"Theatre is a powerful tool for humanizing. The more humanity we see in someone, the more we value them."
"I felt proud to live in this country and grateful to be able to witness Lin-Manuel Miranda's vision of compassionate community — of what makes America great."
"Beautiful, courageous, revealing — left me powerfully present to my humanity."
The cast of In the Heights. Photo by Owen Carey
"I would give even more stars if I could. Riveting, spot-on-accurate portrayals from deep inside the racial divide. Magnificent performance! At the end we were all on our feet. I am propelled to educate myself about racism; my own, and this culture and its institutions. This is art at its most powerful."
"Unbelievable, hit me deep in my soul."
"I LOVE the arts! Theater most of all. The Arts for All program has allowed me to feel like a real person again ... able to enjoy the perks of a normal life. It's been FOREVER since I could afford more than rent and utilities. THANK YOU! Thank you SO much!"
Select members of the cast of Redwood. Photo by Russell J. Young
"Fabulous cast, fabulous show! We need to feel joy in this unprecedented time."
“It is one of the joys in our life to have a play that we have tickets for, and know nothing about, turn into being such a great experience and a point of conversation between ourselves and with our friends and family.”
"This was my first play and I was blown away!"
Performers dance in the Urban Dance Showcase presented by Find A Way at JAW: A Playwrights Festival in 2019. Photo by Kate Szrom
"In education, we talk about educational experiences as being either windows or mirrors. Mirrors are experiences where you see yourself and your culture reflected. This play and your amazing cast held up a big beautiful mirror, and let them see themselves reflected on stage and in the story. The power of representation was palpable, and we could hear it in the conversations our students shared the rest of the day."
"I would drive the 200 mile round trip to see the play again."
"Broadway quality! The actors "living" the characters, transported me into their world."
The cast of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at The Armory. Photo by Russell J. Young
"We love the arts and we value cultural diversity. As an African-American living in Portland, it can be easy to feel like an outsider, even when you’re from the area. Your efforts to bring diverse plays and casts to town have made this city feel more like home. Thank you for your work. It has blessed me and my family and has enriched our lives.”
“PCS went above and beyond to create an amazing experience for our students. For many, Tuesday was their first experience at a play. I can say, without a doubt, that Tuesday was life-changing for so many of our kids."
Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr. in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at The Armory. Photo by Owen Carey
"We work with a large transgender population and they were so happy and very welcomed by the pronoun buttons you had on the desk in the lobby. They feel a little out of place most everywhere and it was really amazing to see them all settle in once they felt like at least The Armory understood and loved them for who they are.”
"Our Lyft driver was highly disappointed she didn’t get tickets."
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Russell J. Young
"I am a new immigrant from Israel. Since I got to Portland, I've learned a lot about racism, especially against black people. The discussion after the show was heart-opening and sometimes painful. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to sit and listen. Keep bringing important topics like this one and have a discussion afterward."
"It was a wonderful escape from everyday life!"
Select cast members in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo by Owen Carey
"Social justice is in our DNA. We cried, we honored the talent, the possibility of growth for all of mankind. Thank you for the message, the passion, and commitment."
"Hell YES! We'd recommend this for everyone, it's needed more now than ever."
The cast of The Color Purple takes bows during a standing ovation. Photo By Kate Szrom
Current & Upcoming
Art Exhibit: ¡Soy Yo! by Mika Martinez
¡Soy Yo!, is a multi-media project, created by Mika Martinez, that examines and celebrates Latinx identity featuring more than 50 portraits of the Hispanic/Latino community in Portland.
Piano Bar with Courtney Freed and David Saffert
Join us for this monthly event with local songstress Courtney Freed and Portland-based pianist David Saffert as they host a good old-fashioned PIANO BAR.
NASSIM
From Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (creator of the Off-Broadway smash hit White Rabbit, Red Rabbit) comes an audacious new theatrical experiment, presented in collaboration with Boom Arts. Each night, a new, unrehearsed local performer joins the playwright on stage, while the script waits, unseen, in a sealed box... Touchingly autobiographical yet powerfully universal, NASSIM is a striking theatrical demonstration of how language can both divide and unite us.
Art Exhibit: Garam Garam Chai by Yusra Siddiqui
Portland Center Stage will host Garam Garam Chai, an art exhibit by Portland-based multidisciplinary artist Yusra Siddiqui, featuring a series of hand-sewn teabag printmaking pieces that serve as a contemplation of the communal tea times shared between Desi and British culture.
Coriolanus
Shakespeare’s tragedy about the war hero Coriolanus and the fight between the elite and the deprived masses will be fueled by a dynamic female and non-binary ensemble with a muscular, movement-focused staging.
May First Thursday with Adriana Wagner Quartet
May First Thursday will feature live music by the Adriana Wagner Quartet in the Main Lobby, joined by Garrett Baxter on bass, Matthew Sazima on piano and Ken Mastrogiovanni on drums.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
Season Superstars
Season Supporting Sponsors
Season Producing Sponsors
Guardians of the Arts
