Portland Drama Club is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to teach Portland kids the power in themselves through play, practice and performance. 

Whether it's the benefits of falling down and getting back up again (sometimes literally) or giving kids a voice when they might feel they don't have one; expanding worldviews through exposure to literature, music, and other cultures; connecting kids to their bodies through movement, feelings, and sound - the benefits of theater in a child's life are immeasurable.

When kids train to put on a show, they are learning life skills: empathy, hard work, body awareness, patience, listening, focus, problem solving and confidence. AND they have a blast and are proud of themselves and their friends in the end. 

Most of PDC’s classes and camps are show-based. If you sign up you’re in the show! Kids work hard in all aspects of musical theater: singing, dancing and acting to put on a junior version of a well-loved classic stage show. 

PDC is lucky to use the great space at Saint David of Wales for our camps, classes and productions. Our summer camps are 2 full weeks per show in June, July and August for kids in grades 1st - 9th grade. Each summer we put on at least 3 productions. Our shows in the summer are outside and open to the public. We don’t charge for tickets, but do ask for donations at the door.

Most of our after school classes meet once a week for about a semester each and put on a show at the end of the term on the stage in the Parish Hall. These shows usually have one public performance. 

We offer an advanced acting class which offers a Scene Study option to middle school students who have trained with us for a while. They also work on a musical to be performed at the end of their extended term. Kids in this cast are highly motivated and capable theater “die-hards”. 

We are hoping to expand our staff so we can expand our class opportunities to welcome younger kids pre-k - 2nd in classes specifically designed for the young beginner. 

As PDC’s founder and director, I work hard to make sure each student and family feels like a special part of the “club”. I believe theater is a beautiful community builder, and I have seen it work its magic as a teaching artist for almost 20 years. 

This summer our 1st - 5th graders have performed 101 Dalmatians Kids and our experienced 6th - 9th graders performed Newsies. Right now 2nd - 6th graders are rehearsing The Wizard of Oz to be performed Friday August 12 at 6pm and Saturday August 13th at 11am. Those times may change if the weather goes beyond 101 again!
Fingers crossed we are out of that weather! 
You can keep up to date on all things Portland Drama Club by checking our website and getting on the mailing list: www.portlanddramaclub.org (type your e-mail address in the pop-up to be added to the mailing list).