Portland Performing Arts Center

25 Forest Avenue

A former Oddfellows Hall at 25A Forest Avenue was converted to a performing arts theater in 1982. Under the leadership of Barbara Rosoff, then Artistic Director, it became the home of the Portland Stage Company in 1981. The company purchased the building in 2000 under the leadership of current Artistic Director, Anita Stewart, who has held the position since 1988. Portland Stage produces seven plays during its “Mainstage” season each year using members of Actor’s Equity. Since its founding as the Profile Theatre in 1974, Portland Stage has become “Maine’s largest, fully-professional, non-profit theater” and is considered the provider of the finest theater productions in Northern New England. In addition to Mainstage, its programs include Studio Series Productions in its smaller 70-seat studio theater; New Work, Affiliate Artists and several educational programs, including PlayNotes, in-school workshops, Play Me a Story, the Young Writers Project, Theater for Kids, Vacation Theater Camp and summer camps. During Women’s History Month (March) in its 23rd season in 1996-97, Portland Stage offered “Iphigenia and Other Daughters”, a women’s perspective on the legendary daughters of Agamemnon.