Our Mission

The leading professional theater in Northern New England,
Portland Stage entertains, educates and engages its audiences by producing a wide range of artistic works and programs that explore basic human issues and concerns relevant to the communities served by the theater. Our guiding principle is to promote creativity and dialogue among artists, staff, board and audience.

Our Vision

Portland Stage is committed to producing exceptional live theater on a sustainable basis, play after play, season after season.

Such an undertaking is possible only through a multi-faceted collaboration between the staff, board, interns, artists and volunteers on the one hand, and our audience and supporters on the other. Our success depends on the ability of these distinct groups to see a clearly marked path to our common goals.

Portland Stage believes that an exceptional theater is an organic part of the community it serves. We reach our audience by building upon the traditions of the past while expecting the highest professional standards and fostering an environment that is open to experimentation and artistic risk as tools for achieving excellence.

Portland Stage contributes to its own future and that of professional theater generally by producing work in which writers, actors and other artists have the opportunity to explore the human condition in its relation to society through the creation and interpretation of dramatic pieces. Through this process, we encourage audiences to engage in a dialogue about the art, for an educated and growing audience is essential to the long-term health of the theater.

Portland Stage ensures its future by adhering to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and organizational transparency. We grow as a valuable and sustainable theater company by prudently expanding and improving our systems, resources and facilities. We also recognize the need to anticipate and adapt to changing circumstances without compromising our standards of artistic excellence.