The Portland Civic Theatre served as the main drama venue of Portland, Or., for over sixty years, and it was one of the largest regional theater groups in the United States. Begun as the Art Theatre Players in 1925, its first professional director was Mildred Allen Butler. Later directors were Donald Mayne (1937) and Jim Cameron (1949). Isabella Chappell became the General Manager in the 1970s. The name changed in 1929 to The Portland Civic Theatre. In 1934 the theater established the Portland Civic Theatre School (later Academy). An independent support group, the Portland Civic Theatre Guild, was founded in 1958.
The theater built its own building in downtown Portland in 1942, which was expanded in 1954. Although successful through the 1960s, the theater's finances deteriorated in the 1970s. It closed in 1990 and its building was demolished in 1993.
From the description of Portland Civic Theatre records, ca. 1925-2000. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 57314405
