Address: 1515 Southwest Morrison St
Pricing: Depends on day and time. Ranges from $35-$47
Phone: (503) 241-1278
Hours: Box Office: Tues.-Sun. 12:00pm-6:00pm. Showtimes: Wed.-Sun.: 7:30pm, Wed. Matinee at 11:00am, Sun. Matinee at 2:00pm
How To Get There:
From Downtown
Take Morrison west, turn right on 16th and then right on Alder.
From the North
Take I-5 South to I-405 South. Exit at Couch/Burnside. At the exit, continue straight and cross Burnside on 15th St. Turn right on Morrison, right on 16th and right on Alder.
From the South
Take I-5 North to I-405 North. Exit at Salmon St. From the exit follow the signs to 14th St. Turn left on Morrison, right on 16th and right on Alder.
From the West (via Highway 26, Sunset Highway)
Exit Highway 26 at the Stadium exit. Turn left at 18th St, then right at Alder.
Via Barnes Road and Burnside
Take Barnes Rd. to Burnside. At the intersection of Burnside and 18th, bear right onto Alder.
By Public Transit:
Take TriMet Route #15 or MAX Red and Blue Lines.
Parking:Lot and street parking are available
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Artist Repertory Theatre: Modern stage drama rooted in history
May 7, 2010
Whether you are an ardent stage addict or just a casual fan, Portland’s Artist Repertory Theatre has something to offer everyone. With a fine assortment of cutting edge productions and traditional classics, the theatre pushes the limits of this performing art while still being firmly rooted to its history.
Located in downtown Portland close to PGE Park, it is convenient for both locals and visitors. While it is not housed in a building as opulent as other downtown theatres, inside you will find a pleasing aesthetic.
As Portland’s oldest running professional stage arena, the Artist Repertory Theatre has its share of history, both locally and nationally. Founded in 1982, it was created with the purpose of creating “an opportunity to present the work of contemporary playwrights in an intimate setting.”
A perfect example of the theatre taking a classic play and turning into a forward thinking production is the current Othello production. Running April 6-May 13, the play is described as the following: "Inspired by film noir and set during World War II, the play’s backdrop is militaristic but is, at heart, a domestic tragedy about the formation and destruction of a marriage.” While many people may know the story of Othello, the Portland Repertory Theatre allows for new and fresh perspectives on a Shakespearean script that was written hundreds of years ago.
Another current production is Gracie and the Atom, running April 27-May 30. It is a very provocative and modern play, described as a journey in which Grace “searches for the mother she never knew, (while) her classmates help her with the details of purgatory, Ouija boards and superhero saints.”
Sometimes people can have a hard time understanding contemporary theatre. The Portland Repertory Theatre strives to avoid this by having a strong audience outreach program. The mission is to “encourage conversations that continue long after the final curtain call.” It is a great idea and offers everything from post-performance discussions to a partnership with Powell’s books to continue further education.
With a crowded local theatre scene, Portland's Artist Repertory Theatre stands out by offering historical theatre melded with a contemporary perspective. If you are looking for the future of theatre while still being aware of the city’s rich history, it will make a great choice.
HelloPortland Tip: Do you have an actor in the family? The Theatre offers both private lessons and classes -- a perfect choice for the aspiring actor or actress.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
