Why is the Portland Theatre Hiding?

Every time I come to Portland I want to go out for a night and the theatre, so I do a google search & flip through the local papers arts listings, and I come away with the touring Broadway Across America shows.  Last time I was in town we saw Phantom. The first time I was here we saw Annie.  And after all that searching, I was convinced that was all the theatre that Portland had to offer.  I’ve been heard to say that I’d move to Portland if it weren’t for the lack of theatre work available.

HOWEVER. Yesterday morning I was on twitter while waiting for friends to wake up, and sent out  this message: “Since it’s #theatreThursday I’m thinking I should see a show tonight in Portland. Not sure what yet.”  Lucky for me the folks who run the TKTS booths in NYC, and quickly two of their followers were sending me a recommendation to see Becky’s New Car at Artists Rep Theatre.  (I’ll talk a little more about the play and its ties to Vancouver in my next post – I was going to include them here, but this is getting a bit long).

While at the theatre (a full square city block with two theatre spaces), I browsed their selection of post cards & brochures for other companies. Low and behold there were at least 6 other shows I could have seen last night, but I only knew that 2 of them existed.

I’d say this is a problem.

When someone actively is searching for information about seeing theatre in your city and can’t find anything, that’s a big problem. And not just for any one theatre, but for the theatre’s as a community. Had I known the amount of theatre available, I would have been seeing shows every time I have been in town, and not just the big touring Broadway shows. Make yourselves known. Get in the art listings! I know that Portland is known as a music town, but find ways to get your name out! At least get your website both up to date (one problem I encountered) & search engine optimized so that when I search I will find you.

My friends here say that they rarely hear anyone talk about going to a play, which is not surprising given the fact that 90% of the people there last night were married couples aged 40+.

It is unfair of me to judge the entire Portland theatre scene based on my brief visits to town.  At the same time, I am a tourist here. I am willing to spend my money on their product. But I need to know it exists.