About Us

PORTLAND STAGE, Maine's largest fully professional, non-profit theater, is committed to providing the finest productions for audiences in a broad region of Northern New England. Founded in 1974 as the Profile Theater, Portland Stage currently produces:

Mainstage productions:
A season of seven shows that play to over 50,000 people annually. All production is done at the Theater, including original set design and construction, costume design and production, lighting and sound design.

Studio Series productions:
A season of three new shows in our 70-seat studio theater. Devoted to expanding the reach of the Mainstage, the Studio Series takes place in a flexible black box theater, inviting experimentation, innovation, and offering a more intimate audience experience.

New work development programs:
From Away, Little Festival of the Unexpected, and the Clauder Competition all work to encourage the development of new ideas and fresh directions in contemporary theater.

Education programs for both students and adults:
PlayNotes, Pre- and Post-show discussions, and classroom workshops work together to provide a more informed theater experience and enhanced appreciation of the art of theater.

Affiliate Artists programs:
Longfellow's Shorts, invited readings and other productions performed by our resident Affiliate Artists.
(For more information about the Affiliate Artists, please click here).

This variety in programming is designed to meet the needs of a broad cross-section of our population.

In producing this work, Portland Stage auditions both locally and in New York, and then brings the artists - actors, director, designers, and technicians - together in Portland to rehearse the show. Each production is created specifically for our audiences.

As a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), Portland Stage is committed to using actors who are members of Actors' Equity, the professional actors union. Having a relationship with Equity is more than a commitment to hiring professional actors... it is one of the steps that Portland Stage takes to ensure the highest quality theater experience possible for artists as well as audience members.

Portland Stage plays a pivotal role in the life of our community by providing the experience of theater for our audience and by making that experience one which enlightens and adds insight into our world.

For a complete history of PORTLAND STAGE productions from 1974 to the present, please click here. 

Theater for Kids at Portland Stage strives to give children in our community access to experiences that teach theater and literacy, encourage creativity and spontaneity, and engage in active participation and team building. Our Play Me a Story children's theater program, Summer & Vacation Week Theater Camps and Youth Theater Workshops will inspire your child to approach literature and theater from a new perspective through watching performances, investigating text, participating in workshops and learning new roles – all while having fun!