Portland Stage

What Portland Stage does

Portland Stage is a non-profit, LORT-designated professional theater company headquartered at 25A Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine. Founded in 1974 as Profile Theater and renamed in 1978, it is the only League of Resident Theatres (LORT) member in Maine and currently produces its 53rd mainstage season. The organization operates three purpose-built performance spaces (286-seat Mainstage, 75-seat Studio Theater, and the Susie Konkel Theater for Kids storefront), which it owns as part of the Portland Performing Arts Center acquired in 2000. It is governed as a 501(c)(3) with a 23-person full-time staff complemented by 100+ guest actors, directors, and designers per season, plus a selective 10-12-person apprenticeship program.

Its core products fall into four lines: (1) Mainstage and Studio Theater productions, typically six mainstage titles plus holiday and Studio Series shows per year, with single-tickets priced $30-$77 and subscription packages offering up to 25% off (6-Show Seated Subscription, FlexPass 4- or 6-pack, Lit Lovers 3-Pack, and Rush35 for ages 18-35 at $20/ticket); (2) Education programs reaching 14,000+ K-12 students annually via summer camps ($315-$465), PLAY Program (Pre-K-5), Directors Lab (grades 6-12), student matinees, Play Me a Story, and Shakespeare Teen Company; (3) New work development through the Clauder Competition (40+ years, New England's most prestigious playwriting award), the annual Little Festival of the Unexpected, and the From Away festival in collaboration with the University of Iowa's International Writing Program; and (4) Facility rentals across all three venues.

Revenue is generated across earned, contributed, and investment streams. Earned income comes primarily from ticket sales, subscriptions, education program fees (e.g., PLAY Program $1,060 per 8-workshop cycle), and facility rentals. Contributed income includes individual donations tiered from $100 Friend to $50,000+ Executive Producer, corporate sponsorships (Platinum tier with Wright-Ryan Homes and Migis Hotel Group, Gold tier with Bernstein Shur and L.L.Bean), and foundation/government grants — most notably 11+ consecutive years of Shubert Foundation support ($50K annually), NEA Art Works grants, Maine Arts Commission, Onion Foundation ($20K/yr three-year), and Brooks Family Foundation underwriting the Clauder Competition. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via an in-house box office (in-person, phone, email, online through a Salesforce ticketing platform), supported by marketing through the website, social media (Instagram @portlandstageco, Facebook), press/earned media, season media sponsor Portland Monthly Magazine, and cross-promotional partner discounts with Portland Symphony, Portland Ovations, and Penobscot Theater.

Name

Portland Stage

Legal name

Portland Stage Company

Website

https://portlandstage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

Keywords

• Live theater productions
• Performing arts education
• Theatrical subscriptions
• New play development
• Youth theater programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Mainstage Ticket Sales: Single tickets and subscription packages for professional theater productions on Mainstage (286-seat) and Studio Theater (75-seat). Season includes 6 mainstage shows plus holiday productions.
2. Education Programs: Revenue from summer camps, classes, vacation camps, touring programs (PLAY Program, Directors Lab), and student matinees for K-12 students
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individual donors at various levels ($100+ Friend to $50,000+ Executive Producer), supporting productions, education programs, and new works
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships from businesses at various tiers with benefits including logo placement, tickets, playbill ads, and event integration. Platinum, Gold, and other sponsorship levels.
5. Foundation and Government Support: Grants from foundations (Shubert Foundation, Brooks Family Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, etc.) and government agencies (NEA, Maine Arts Commission) for operations, education, and specific programs
6. Facility Rentals: Rental income from Mainstage, Studio Theater, and Theater for Kids spaces to external groups for performances and events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Portland Stage produces and presents live professional theatrical performances on its 286-seat Mainstage and 75-seat Studio Theater, delivering a season of fully produced plays plus holiday productions. The company also operates K-12 theater education programs (summer camps, PLAY Program, Directors Lab, student matinees), new play development initiatives including the Clauder Competition and Little Festival of the Unexpected, and a theater professional apprenticeship program. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, season subscriptions, education program fees, facility rentals, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government arts funding.

Product overview

Portland Stage is a professional nonprofit theater company offering a comprehensive portfolio of live theatrical experiences and educational programs. Core offerings include Mainstage Productions on the 286-seat Mainstage and smaller productions in the 75-seat Studio Theater. The company operates the Susie Konkel Theater for Kids Storefront for youth programming. Education initiatives include Summer Camps (K-12), PLAY Program (Pre-K to Grade 5), Directors Lab (grades 6-12), Student Matinees, Play Me a Story, and the Shakespeare Teen Company. New work development features the Little Festival of the Unexpected, the Clauder Competition (New England's most prestigious playwriting award), and the From Away festival in partnership with the International Writing Program. Subscription offerings include 6-Show Seated Subscriptions, FlexPass (4 or 6-ticket packs), Rush35 (for ages 18-35), and Lit Lovers 3-Pack. Additional offerings include PlayNotes resource guides, an Apprenticeship Program, and facility rentals. The company produces over 250 live performances per season.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Theater for Kids: A dedicated space for professionally-taught theater education programming for young people ages 4 to 11, opened in 2010.
• Studio Series
• The Clauder Competition
• Little Festival of the Unexpected
• From Away

Products and services

• Mainstage Productions Fully rehearsed and designed professional theatrical productions performed on the 286-seat Mainstage, featuring professional actors from Actors' Equity Association. The Mainstage season includes 6 mainstage shows per year plus holiday productions.
• Studio Theater Productions A 75-seat smaller blackbox space hosting a mix of staged readings, new play workshops, and fully staged productions, launched in 2007 as the Studio Series.
• Summer Camps Week-long theater camps for rising K-12th graders focusing on physical movement, creativity, and collaboration, with themed offerings such as Magic Trunk, Shakespeare Teen Company, and Marvel Camp.
• PLAY Program Educational initiative for Pre-K to Grade 5 where professional actors perform children's books followed by interactive workshops, promoting literacy, reading fluency, and social-emotional skills.
• Directors Lab Program for grades 6-12 featuring professional actors performing 50-minute Shakespeare adaptations followed by talkbacks and interactive workshops, empowering students to interpret and direct text.
• Student Matinees Matinee performances of Mainstage productions designed for K-12 students, connecting and reinforcing Common Core Standards, with over 4,000 students from Maine and New Hampshire attending annually.
• Play Me a Story Saturday morning theater experience for ages 4-10 featuring performances of children's stories followed by interactive acting workshops.
• Shakespeare Teen Company Ensemble-based program where students grades 7-12 create fully-staged productions, taking on roles including acting, costume design, and marketing.
• Little Festival of the Unexpected Annual festival featuring public readings of new works in a supportive environment for playwrights to develop their scripts, offering audiences insight into the creative process. Almost, Maine was developed from this festival.
• Clauder Competition New England's most prestigious playwriting award, celebrating distinctive voices of regional playwrights and bringing their work to the attention of the theatrical community. Launched playwrights including Mac Wellman, Nicky Silver, Douglas Carter Beane, Nilo Cruz, and Quiara Alegria Hudes.
• From Away Festival Annual festival celebrating voices of international writers in conjunction with the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, with excerpts performed by Affiliate Artists.
• Rush35 Subscription Affordable gateway program for audiences ages 18-35 offering free membership with $20 tickets per Mainstage production, or 35Pass FlexPass in 4 or 6-ticket packs.
• 6-Show Seated Subscription Continuity subscription offering same day, time, and seats for the entire season with up to 25% off ticket prices, priority access to best seats, swap tickets once per season, and additional discounts on partner offerings.
• FlexPass Flexible subscription option available in 4-pack or 6-pack formats allowing attendees to experience shows in any combination throughout the season, with tickets as low as $15 each and discounts on additional single tickets and partner organizations.
• Lit Lovers 3-Pack Curated 3-show subscription tailored to literature lovers featuring plays like Arcadia, Jane Eyre, and Revelation, offering enhanced perks and discounts.
• Apprenticeship Program Season-long and summer apprenticeships in Production, Stage Management, Arts Administration, Directing/Dramaturgy, Education, and Stage Management, with furnished housing and weekly stipends; over 400 theater professionals trained through the program since 1980.
• Facility Rentals Rental of Mainstage (286 seats), Studio Theater (75 seats), and Theater for Kids spaces for external productions and events.
• The Susie Konkel Theater for Kids Storefront Space A flexible theater space with approximately 40-75 seat capacity serving as home for Theater for Kids programming, play readings, and social events.
• PlayNotes Resource guide created by the Literary department providing extensive information and perspectives on each Mainstage play, appealing to students and adult readers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ live performances per season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, support, platinum and gold.

• Portland Public Schools (PPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2025PPS Arts Partnership - a Visiting Artist Program connecting local arts organizations with students. Five schools pilot the program during the 2025-26 school year with expansion planned to every school by 2026-27.
• International Writing Program (IWP) at University of IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrom Away festival brings international writers to Portland annually for staged readings of their works in translation, performed by Portland Stage's Affiliate Artists and local actors.
• Maine State Music TheatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual co-production partnership beginning in 2016, typically in late summer months.
• Hangar TheatremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced The Great Leap by Lauren Yee, expanding reach and sharing production resources.
• Culture Club-Portland ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium with Portland Museum of Art, Portland Ovations, and Portland Symphony Orchestra created in 2012 to support cultural experiences for students in public schools. Goal of providing free arts experience in all four organizations for every child in Portland Public Schools for 5 years.
• Audio 'D' & FinetonesupportTechnology or IntegrationMaine's only Full Service Hearing Aid Company providing hearing aids designed to work with Portland Stage's hearing loop system. Locations in Windham, Scarborough, Cornish, and Farmington.
• Wright-Ryan HomesplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Community Engagement Sponsor and co-sponsor of productions including Almost, Maine ($7,500). Supporting community engagement initiatives.
• Migis Hotel GroupplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Mainstage Show Sponsor and co-sponsor of Almost, Maine ($10,000). Supporting show productions and community engagement.
• Bernstein ShurgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Community Engagement Sponsor providing support for community programs.
• L.L.BeangoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Mainstage Show Sponsor supporting productions.
• W.H. Demmons, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTake A Breath Partner who provided expertise for state-of-the-art bipolar ionized air purification system installation. System proven 90% effective at neutralizing COVID-19 within 60 minutes.
• Katie Made BakerysupportOthersLocal bakery providing baked goods for theater concessions.
• Tin Pan BakerysupportOthersLocal bakery providing baked goods for theater concessions.
• Wilbur'ssupportOthersLocal confectioner providing candy for theater concessions.
• Sopo WinesupportOthersBeer, wine, and cider distributor for theater concessions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hartford Stage: LORT-designated regional theater in Hartford, CT producing a Mainstage season with new works and classics. Comparable nonprofit structure, professional production scale, and New England-adjacent footprint.
• Huntington Theatre Company: LORT-designated professional theater in Boston, MA. Larger but similarly structured regional theater producing new works and classics with education programming in New England.
• Penobscot Theatre Company: Bangor, Maine-based professional regional theater company. Comparable in scale and mission as a Maine-based nonprofit producing theater; serves overlapping Northern New England audience.
• Maine State Music Theater: LORT-affiliated professional summer musical theater based in Brunswick, ME. Annual co-production partner with Portland Stage since 2016; directly comparable as a Maine-based LORT producing organization.
• Merrimack Repertory Theatre: LORT-affiliated nonprofit regional theater in Lowell, MA. Similar scale and mission—professional productions on a single mainstage with new-work development and education programming—serving New England audiences.
• Trinity Repertory Company: LORT-designated regional repertory theater in Providence, RI. Closely comparable operating model, size, LORT status, and new-work development focus to Portland Stage in the New England market.
• Hangar Theatre: LORT-affiliated regional theater in Ithaca, NY. Direct co-production partner on The Great Leap; similar scale and operational profile as a nonprofit regional producing theater with new-work focus.

Broad incumbents

• Goodspeed Musicals: LORT-affiliated nonprofit musical theater in East Haddam, CT, known for developing new musicals that transfer to Broadway. Comparable professional theater structure but specialized in musical development rather than mixed repertory.

Others

• Portland Museum of Art: Cultural institution partner in the Culture Club-Portland consortium formed in 2012 to provide free arts experiences to Portland Public School students. Adjacent cultural/educational peer rather than direct theater competitor.

Regional players

• Portland Ovations: Portland, Maine-based performing arts presenter that brings touring national/international acts to the city. Direct local competitor for live entertainment discretionary spending and shared Cultural Club-Portland consortium partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PortlandStage
• Instagraminstagram.com/portlandstageco
• Xx.com/PortlandStageCo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portland Stage