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Portland Playhouse is a local 501c3 not-for-profit theatre company in northeast Portland, OR. It was founded in 2008 and currently serves as one of the premier theatres in the Portland area.

Background/History
The inception of Portland Playhouse began in 2007 between Brian Weaver (artistic director), Michael Weaver (then executive director) and Nikki Weaver (née O’Connell) while in Harrisonburg, VA. The initial spark began in a discussion on “everything they disliked about contemporary theater—stuffiness, pretension—and how they would do things differently.” For numerous reasons, the trio later moved to Portland, eventually renting out an old church on NE 6th Ave and Prescott.

The Zoning Dilemma
In May 2011, Portland Playhouse received a notice from the city to cease activities because the old church building was in a residential zone. As the theatre is not a residential building, the company had to apply for a conditional permit. However, the issue grew to a much larger scale as the Playhouse argued its position as a community service and “the city had never before recognized a theater as a community service, which is allowed to operate in a residential zone.” This dispute was met by concern with several King residents who believed that “Portland Playhouse contributes significantly to the cultural and social experience of King residents. It would be a striking loss to our community if it was denied the opportunity to continue operating out of the old church building.” With the help of Miller Nash LLP, as a pro bono effort, and the King Neighborhood Association, the company was able to continue production. They set the stage for what Miller Nash hopes will be an increase in artistic venues in North Portland. The playhouse has continued to expand its audience size and, as of November 2013, officially bought out the church as a performance space. Brian Weaver still serves as the Artistic Director, with Nikki Weaver serving as the Education Director. Michael Weaver had stepped down and, beginning in 2013, Kevin Kruse took over as Managing Director.

Productions
Portland Playhouse primarily produces contemporary straight plays. Each season they produce one play from August Wilson's "Century Cycle". They also often produce new plays, such as Willow Jade, The Huntsmen, The Left Hand of Darkness, The Missing Pieces, Famished, and Ashes.

Season 1

 * bobrauschenbergamerica by Charles Mee
 * After Ashley by Gina Gionfriddo
 * "Mauritius" by Theresa Rebeck

Season 2

 * "Willow Jade" by Hunt Holman
 * "Radio Golf" by August Wilson
 * "Fiction" by Steven Dietz
 * "Bingo with the Indians" by Tim True

Season 3

 * "Telethon" by Kristin Newbom
 * "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson
 * "The Missing Pieces" by Nick Zagone
 * "Dying City" by Christopher Shinn
 * "The Scene" by Theresa Rebeck

Season 4

 * "Gem of the Ocean" by August Wilson
 * "Famished" by Eugenia Woods
 * "Angels in America: Millenium Approaches" by Tony Kushner
 * "The Brother/Sister Plays" by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Season 5

 * "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" by Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman
 * "King Hedley II" by August Wilson
 * "The Ashes" by Christina Anderson
 * "The Huntsmen" by Quincy Long
 * "Mother Theresa is Dead" by Helen Edmundson
 * "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin, John Schmor and Jonathan Walters

Season 6

 * "Detroit" by Lisa D'Amour
 * "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
 * "Jitney" by August Wilson
 * "The Light in the Piazza" by Craig Lucas
 * "After the Revolution" by Amy Herzog

Awards
In 2012, the Portland Playhouse won the Mary Brand Award, and the Drammy Award for Best Production.