Portland Center Stage

Mission

As the largest theater company in Portland, Ore., Portland Center Stage exists to create transcendent theatrical experiences and community programs that break down the barriers separating people. Each season, roughly 150,000 visitors attend PCS to enjoy a mix of classical, contemporary, and world premiere productions, along with PCS's annual JAW New Play Festival, and a variety of high-quality education and community programs.

Bottom Line for Portland

We Bring World-Class Theater to Portland: Portland Center Stage consistently produces a diverse range of high-quality performances, from classic plays to bold new works, featuring talented local and national artists.

We Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Space: We work hard to ensure that our programming reflects the diverse voices of our community, and we actively create initiatives to engage with underrepresented groups. 

We Engage and Inspire Beyond the Stage: Beyond our productions, PCS is deeply involved in the community through educational programs, workshops, in-school artist residencies and free community events like First Thursday.

Quote

"I’ve been on the PCS teen council for two years now, after taking a musical theatre camp in the summer of 2022. When I heard about the teen council I was excited, because I had never come across such an easy, fun, and helpful experience before, and on top of all that it was free! I’ve never felt out of place at one of PCS’s events and am excited to continue to attend workshops." - Mason Loomis, Teen Council Member 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Theater often brings productive discomfort to the surface. Portland Center Stage at The Armory is committed to grappling with that discomfort, on and off the stage, and we invite members of our community to participate in that growth process with us. Our goal is to co-create safety for our community by identifying and interrupting instances of racism and all forms of oppression when we witness them, through specific actions rooted in the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). 

Partner(s)

APANO Communities United Fund (CUF) — also known as APANO — unites Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development and cultural work.

PETE (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble) is a company of artists who make new plays in a collaborative way and propose new ways of being through creative inquiry and performance. 

Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library - we undertake to honor our collection of spirits through education, shared experience, and classic hospitality and over the past year have raised over $150,000 to local non-profits. 

Friends of Noise - Supporting creative youth in Portland through all ages concerts, workshops, and experience navigating the music scene.