Portland State, Oregon Children's Theatre Partner
The five-year memorandum of understanding pairs university arts programs with a youth-focused theater company.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Children’s Theater
Portland State University and Oregon Children's Theatre signed a memorandum of understanding for a five-year partnership. The partners will co-produce 'Gretel! The Musical,' running February 25 to March 6, 2027.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to align PSU academic programs with OCT's educational and artistic practice, grounded in a shared commitment to education, creativity and community impact. It may expand access to theater arts curriculum at all levels of education in the Portland area.
The partnership runs five years and centers on a joint production of 'Gretel! The Musical' from February 25 to March 6, 2027. The partners have not yet finalized new curricular paths, touring plans or shared facility terms.
The players
Portland State University
A public research university in Portland, Oregon, with colleges of the arts and education that train students in performing arts and teaching.
Oregon Children's Theatre
A Portland-based theater company that produces theater for young audiences and runs educational and artistic programming for youth.
The details
Under the memorandum, OCT internships and residencies will be available to students in the College of the Arts and College of Education. The partners will also explore outreach, touring, community-based programming and academic research on access to the arts and youth well-being. PSU is additionally planning a potential new Performing Arts and Culture Center on its campus.
Timeline
Nov. 13, 2026: Memorandum of understanding signed
Feb. 25 to March 6, 2027: 'Gretel! The Musical' runs at Lincoln Performance Hall
Five-year period: Duration of the collaboration
Legal Context
The partners plan to explore new curricular paths in Theatre for Young Audiences, extending a field often run by independent theater companies into university degree programs. The memorandum positions Portland's partnership as a potential national model for collaboration between higher education and youth-centered performing arts organizations.
Families and students can look for OCT internships, residencies and the 'Gretel! The Musical' production, with ticket details to be announced by the partners. Access to youth theater programming in Portland may expand as curricular and community outreach plans take shape.
The takeaway
Families and young theater fans in Portland may see more opportunities to take part in youth theater as the university and company develop programs together. Watch for details on the 2027 production as the partnership moves forward.
What happens next
The joint production of 'Gretel! The Musical' runs February 25 to March 6, 2027, at Lincoln Performance Hall.
Further reading
Explore more on Children's Theater in Portland.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
