About Us

Founded in 1974 as the Profile Theater, Portland Stage is one of Maine’s largest fully professional, non-profit theaters. We are committed to providing the finest productions for audiences in a broad region of Northern New England.

Portland stage offers a variety of programming that 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 Association, 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.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our Values

A Statement of Solidarity



Handcrafted in Maine

Our productions are handcrafted from the ground by combining the best local talent with artists from around the nation. Each season, Portland Stage produces a Mainstage Subscription Series, a Holiday Show, Co-productions with other local and national theaters, Educational programs for children both in Schools and in our Theater for Kids store font space, a festival of new work, and numerous Affiliate Artist readings and events. Over the course of one season, PS creates over 250 live performances!

How do we do it?


Our People


Our History

In 1973, a group of actors came together with a shared goal of creating a theater, one that produces compelling plays through artistic collaboration. Along the road together, this artistic journey led to the creation of a non-profit professional theater. Like the plays we produce, Portland Stage started as an idea and matured through major challenges by remaining true to its collective vision: to present illuminating plays that challenge, inspire, and reflect. Portland Stage is passionately committed to being a vital partner in the fabric of our community by building relationships through hard work, transparency, collaboration, and education.

Portland Stage From Yesterday to Today

1974 • Profile Theater is founded

1976 • The Theater Puts Down Roots

1978 • Time For A Name Change

1978 • Developing a National Presence

1982 • The Company Finds a Home

1983 • Students By the Bus Load

1990 • Unexpected Theater

1996 • Artistic Director Team Makes History

1996 • An Addition of International Flavor

1998 • The Heart Remains Steady

1998 • A New England Focus

2000 • Home Sweet Home

2001 • Clauder Honor

2004 • Almost Unbelievable

2007 • Studio Series Added

2010 • Kids Are Our Future

2012 • A Consortium for the Arts

2015 • Local Author Turns Playwright

2015 • Empowering Students

2016 • An Annual Collaboration is Formed

2018 • A More Frequent Clauder

2020 • Portland Stage Goes Digital

2020 • A Plan for When Audiences Return

2021 • A Commission for the Ages

2022 • Making an Entrance