The Headwaters theater is a small black box theater with a modest reception area and cafe by…read morerailroad tracks. If you want to rent a less than 100 seat theater as a presenter, or see some experimental performances as an audience participant, this is a good spot to explore. They are also home to workshops at the space and in the St Johns area. As others have mentioned, the theater fronts a broad gravel yard entering behind the building address. You can drive, bike or walk easily around the front of the building on NE Farragutt to the right facing it, traveling behind to the East to the area below by train tracks. You might bring a flashlight to avoid puddles when it is raining between car-bike and theater. I have seen quite a few very unique performances here. The comradery, community and discussions are unbeatable. If you are a cultural explorer in the area, suggest to bookmark the site for upcoming events and then sample them as you desire. They are Portland central for performances and workshops in the modern dance butoh dance form. Headwaters Theater has a rare schedule of performances and workshops, but if you learn about them through Yelp, and it sounds interesting to you, go, see do!

The Headwaters Theatre seems to be located the No-Fo-O-Fo bridge neighborhood... Over the bridge,…read moreNorth of Lombard, so far north that you're almost in the Columbia slough. I guess that's why it's called the Headwaters! But it really only took 10 minutes to get there from the Rose Quarter. We were warned that the theater was a little tricky to find, especially in the dark. This was good advice, as the theater is located in the bottom of a building, which you can only approach from around the corner near some sketchy looking railroad tracks. Once inside, the place is actually quite nice, with comfortable seats and good sound and lighting. They seem to present a lot of experimental theater and dance; check their website for current listings!

I am a bit surprised that this was my first time here. I have been seeing performances throughout…read morePortland for decades. You see a performance and you get ads for several others. A friend I go with to other events stumbled upon this production, and we're both down for anything involving vampires... couple of old school Goth pals. This show was our jam and we had a great time! They offer discount for us folks who are on benefits qualifying us for Arts for All. We definitely appreciate being included. Also, they are ADA friendly for their seats but please note that the entrance might be a challenge. I try to lead with the positives... I have not ventured to this area for some time , and I forgot the logistics of parking. There is parking within blocks but if you are ADA, you will likely need to have your person.Drop you because they are gonna need to walk a bit. Since i'm the driver, it's a journey. I got there closer to show time, then I would have liked due to traffic and parking. There's a fairly large number of businesses right there - venues.... I had to try numerous times to get into the entrance , which is really hard when you're balancing on a cane, but the door was locked. As I was walking up and holding my phone, a guy walked up in front of me to buy a ticket with cash while going on and on and on about how he wanted to support the arts. The one person working the counter was doing a really awkward long form explanation about how to see a play... Finally he walks back to me, asking if he can help... I show him the ticket TWICE and then he asks what the name is on the ticket. Then goes back to asking to see the ticket, back and forth. I can hear them starting and I still have to walk all the way around to the curtain to go in. He then looks at the cane and suggests that he come hold the curtain so that I can walk in. Like I don't know what you gotta do... I have just spent a ridiculous time in the lobby for 0 reasons. They have concessions... it seemed like a selection of wine and snacks... My friend who purchased the tickets for us told me an insane tale. Normally I am the one who buys the tickets for us - we're both Arts for All. She said that oddly, she had a bit of back and forth with somebody who worked at the theater 2 days before the show saying that they didn't know if they were going to have a show because not enough people had bought tickets. She said the person told her that they might do a live stream instead. I was like wait what? It was weird. Watching a live stream and a live performance are two completely different things... so she had to call the day of to make sure that the production was still happening. My point is seeing a show here was really lovely... but also there's a bit of chaos so prepare for that. When we were leaving, we walked past one of the actresses who was in full blown relationship/dating drama with some dude (seriously gurl, you seem super awesome... dump him).

Great theater with wonderful shows. Staff is very friendly.Only challenges that don't have their…read moreown parking lot and the neighborhood could sometimes be hard to find street parking in

First time watching a Sweeney Todd life action play and it was amazing! The folks running the show…read moreand the concession stand were super nice..and everyone was dressed up in character which was really cool. Vibes were on point as well and spookily perfect. You get lead into a dark hall filled with fog until you get to your seat. The cast was also amazing as well! There were times when I felt like I was being transported to watching the actual movie. And the cherry on top was that the entire show which lasted almost 3 hours was so affordable!

I love this spot. I've seen a couple plays here and it's a smaller intimate experience but a good…read moreone. They have stairs up to the theater on the second floor and I'm not sure if it's accessible for folks in wheelchairs or not. That would be the only downside I can find. The lights, sound, concessions were all great. I love this company. Thank you to the wonderful cast for the Fezziwigs Fortune by Josie Seid and Sarah Jean Accuardi. Such a great arts performance in the holidays.

I don't live in Oregon anymore, and haven't for some time now. It's disgusting what your previous…read morestaff allowed to happen to my son. He was punched in the face by some kid, yet you threw my son out! How about you do the right thing, that should have been done years ago, and refund my $225 that I saved all year for the privileged of attending this camp to be ridiculed and abused!

From the truly devastating impact of NCLB on our schools that amounted to the destruction of…read morebudgets--that have little recovered--supporting art programs to our film industry that takes little risk and that in 2017 will have produced its 9th X-Men film, it is clear that art in this country is in crisis and really it has been for some time. PAC is an institution that pushes back against this force of pervasive cultural beiging, and it has done so for decades in Portland producing scores of young actresses and actors that now contribute to theater across the city and country. Highly recommended to visit their shows or participate in their classes.

All around win for me…read more Tyler, the director of Post5 has made a sound effort to create a company and space that are an alternative to the standard Shakespeare theatre world. They started with a dream of something different and they have achieved something grand! Some of the plays hit home in their own ways but more and more they all are reaching something tangible in your emotional response. The first of last summer was fun and a bit heavier whilst this last one, "comedy of errors" was a light and cheering story true to the original but taking all of those things we love and hate about our city to laugh at together. It was pure genius. So proud to be connected to that world and support it! The space is warm in the summer so bring something to fan yourself with. They provide ice cold water bottles at times and apologetic smiles for the heat but the shows are well worth the small suffering. It's a charming quirky church anex that not only allows such tomfoolery as shakespeare but even a drag show after our first experience! The lovely Isis or Chip depending on his role is absolute brilliance in any role they cast him for. And thus far 2016 has proven to produce some amazing works already! Support this local troop and venue! go Post5!

Awesome, these guys (and gals) are just awesome!…read more I went here to see a play that a buddy of mine suggested and I was not disappointed. It was like watching a movie, but real life, up close and personal. The stage props, lighting, and sound all come together nicely with the terrific acting to give you a very dramatic and emotional experience. There were moments that put me into deep thought and anticipation, then moments later I was laughing my ass off! Very well done. They also serve food and beverages and have a full bar to take advantage of. They have intermissions so you can go back for more if needed. I will definitely be back to watch another one. I'd recommend taking family or friends, or even a date for a fun-filled, entertaining night!

Outstanding theater company in SE Portland…read more Most recently, we had the pleasure of seeing 21ten's production of "The Other Place," a thoroughly engaging and heartbreaking drama about a brilliant female scientist and her emerging understanding of her past. The show featured a dynamic local actress, Diane Kondrat, in the lead role. Quite a performance! The play was so memorable that several audience members returned for a second performance and brought their family and friends. The house is comfortably small and intimate, with excellent sight lines and inventive lighting and sound. 21ten's productions are well worth the ticket price. Truly quality theater in Portland.

I'm so happy to see new life breathed into this Portland classic. Theater is such a magical way to…read morebring people together, and we need it now more than ever.

This review is for the building/theater space. Very intimate theater setting. Seats are moderately…read morecomfortable. Lots of vibrations is felt in seats from audience. Friendly staff. Building architecture is nice. Clean bathrooms.

I usually see productions upstairs at the Newmark. This theater is much cozier but there really is…read morenot a bad seat. I was able to catch a showing of Cabaret which I heard about thanks to Goldstar. I have seen Cabaret live numerous times including a fabulous production at the Keller a few years back. With that said, I actually prefer smaller productions like this because it seems more powerful. I like musicals ...not musical fans (just being honest) as the crowds are generally pretty douchey. I have had to relearn to walk five times in 6 years so I have a cane. I go out to a lot of shows and the staff throughout this building (which also houses the Newmark) have been amazing every time I go. Just knowing I do not have to deal with staff drama and can easily get in the door and to my seat with minimal issues having people trying to run me down, my having to fight to just get in and around a door, well marked stairs and such...just decent crowd control like sufficient elevators available or not having things that create lines trailing into one spot encouraging large crowds focused blocking walking so folks like me have to "excuse me ....excuse me.... excuse me" and people then slam into me trying to push through. The seats themselves are roomy and you are not stupid close to the person in front of you. More about the wonderful staff... one of the lovely ushers had let me know before the show started that I could move seats if I wanted to because my row was completely full and I was on the very end. When I was going into the theater, I had made a wince look as my knee was mad. I have a ruptured Achille's and it has been super cold so my knee that day decided to be less than content and was angry bending. She looked at me like the are you ok and I said yes, I am ok - it just somedays tries to make me regret getting out and about. I have had all the staff throughout the building see a struggle and offer to help which is so nice and genuinely rare.

It's amazing that I just attended my first show here! I go to a lot of performances and have…read moreregularly attended performances most of my life. Echo Theater is also located in a really convenient spot for me to go to shows! I was very surprised at how wonderful this space is... conveniently, they are able to transform the space to accommodate whatever they are performing. I also , appreciate a snack bar that has a decent array of snacks, though, I confess I was hoping that they had just soda (even just a coke) but I was amused at seeing Capri Sun. I was able to see one of the last showings of Death of a Drag Queen and was completely blown away. When a single performer is able to captivate the audience for over an hour... it speaks to incredible writing, directIon and performance... all of which were clearly present. It also makes me want to come back here to see what else they have going on.

I've been taking classes at Echo since January 2024. I first signed up on my roommate's…read morerecommendation, and I'm so glad I did. Training at Echo, I have become stronger both mentally and physically, made awesome new friends, and been inspired to express myself creatively in ways above what I ever imagined. I was totally new to acrobatics before, but now, I feel confident moving in the air, and have even performed in front of an audience! I have taken lyra, mixed aerial, harness, and circus fitness classes at Echo, and every class has been challenging, energizing, fun, ebullient, and creative. The instructors are positive and encouraging, offering modifications and additional explanations to meet students where they're at. Amy especially is the best -- she cultivates a whole class atmosphere that is collaborative, silly, and uplifting. She prompts students to tap into playful creative energy while also leading a workout that will sculpt your entire body! I love that Echo provides opportunities for student performance. At Student Showcases, Echo invites students to bring to the stage whatever they are working on in an incredibly supportive, warm, and empowering environment. Designing and rehearsing a piece with your friends is a bonding experience that challenges you to grow personally and in your circus skills! If you're looking for genuine, authentic, positive people, this is your place. The community at Echo Theater makes it so special. Students cheer each other on in class, design performances together, and form lasting friendships. As a nonbinary person, I really appreciate that the queer community is well-represented at Echo and pronouns are respected. Echo feels like the least-gendered space I've encountered in Portland -- where we're all just a bunch of humans making shapes in the air! I also love that a wide age range is represented in my classes. I am inspired by adults older than I am who are still moving, experimenting, and challenging themselves with fitness! I highly recommend taking classes at Echo if you're interested in aerial, tumbling, dance, or any movement arts. Echo is absolutely the place for trying something new and going outside your comfort zone. My heart lifts every time I walk into the building, anticipating an hour and a half of pure joy (and also sweat and chalk). Sign up for a class, you'll be glad you did :)