Portland Stage Reimagines The Page To Stage Series

Portland Stage and the Portland Public Library announce that the Page to Stage discussion series will be reimagined for Portland Stage's 45th Anniversary. All participants in the discussions will be entered to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming Mainstage Season Production at Portland Stage.

Working in partnership around the Page to Stage discussion series for many years, both Portland Stage and the Portland Public Library felt the discussion series would be more relevant and engaging if it was structured similarly to a book group. Participants are encouraged to read the play of an upcoming Portland Stage Mainstage Production, and then participate in a discussion at the Portland Public Library's Rines Auditorium two weeks before the first preview of any Mainstage Season production. Meeting prior to the first preview is a departure from the old format, which met during the run of a production. The new Page to Stage presents an opportunity for audiences to engage deeply with the theatrical process, and gives participants a chance to familiarize themselves with the material before actually seeing the production. In addition, Portland Stage will raffle off a pair of tickets to the upcoming production at Page to Stage. All participants can enter their name to win at the beginning of the discussion, and a winner will be picked at the end of the discussion.

"Our discussion series exists to foster in-depth consideration of our plays, as well as forge new relationships with our community at large. It's my hope with this new format that we'll be able to engage the Portland Public Library's community of readers more deeply with the theater experience. We're excited to explore this open and accessible book club-style discussion," Todd Brian Backus, Portland Stage Literary Manager

All of the plays for the 2018/19 season will be available in a special collection at the Library to read before the Page to Stage discussions and will address the themes and ideas of each play in the 2018/19 Season. "Portland Public Library is excited to continue its partnership with such a fantastic cultural organization. This year's plays showcase diverse and innovative playwrights and we are absolutely delighted to be a part of the discussion!" Raminta Moore, MLIS, Art & Culture Librarian. All discussions are moderated by the Portland Stage artistic staff.

Page to Stage discussions will continue to take place in the Portland Public Library's Rines Auditorium on Tuesdays from 12pm-1pm, participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. All scripts for Portland Stage's Mainstage Productions will be available at the Portland Public Library, contact Reminta Moore at moore@portlandpubliclibrary.org.

2018/19 Season Page to Stage dates:

Ben Butler - 9/11/18

Refuge Malja - 10/16/18

The Importance of Being Earnest - 1/8/19

The Half-Light - 2/12/19

Skeleton Crew - 3/19/19

The Last Five Years - 4/16/19

ABOUT PORTLAND STAGE

As the leading professional theater in Northern New England, Portland Stage is committed to creating great art, passionate about using the theater to educate, and dedicated to enriching our community. Celebrating its 45th Season Portland Stage is a hub of creative activity and energy known for its professional Mainstage Theater Productions, its creation of vital Education Programs, both in-schools and in-house, and for cultivating new voices in theater through New Work Programs that foster experimentation and artistic risk. Visit www.portlandstage.org to engage with all we do.

ABOUT PORTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Chartered in 1867, Portland Public Library is Maine's oldest and largest public library system and is the most visited cultural institution in Maine. The library offers over 300,000 books, audiobooks, musical recordings, movies, and digital resources, and access to the collections of the world's great libraries. The Library presents a wide variety of lectures, classes, exhibits, programs, and performances for all ages.

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