ABOUT THE RIVER
OUR HOME
ABOUT THE RIVER
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The River was opened in 1998 to provide a home for the arts: theatrical, visual, and musical. Housed at 230 West Marine Drive, the theater lies "under the bridge on the Oregon side" at the edge of the Columbia River. We've come a long way since the River was just a stream of consciousness flowing between three minds (co-founders Tim Hurd, Karen Bain and Nancy Montgomery). Countless individuals have joined the stream, helping make it flow into the vibrant, rolling River that will only continue to rise!
The River is a new theater on the North Coast, making its home in the historic port town and growing artist community of Astoria. The River is housed in a Uniontown District vintage building which has been converted to a professionally equipped, intimate, 93-seat Black Box theater. Tim Hurd and his wife Nancy Montgomery have been able to make this dream a reality through their own efforts and the contributions of countless others. Hurd, owner of Columbia River Coffee Roaster, termed the phrase, "The Coffee that Floats the Arts" to describe the development of a unique relationship between his wholesale coffee company and the theater venue.
For its first season, The River gathered a small group of resident directors-- two from Seattle, two from Portland, and one from Coos Bay-- and incorporated them along with local actors into a five play rotating season, running up to nine performances per week. This blockbuster SummerStock season opened on July 10th, 1998. Resident directors were: Charles Leggett and Sheila Daniels from Seattle (Sheila is currently Artistic Director of Theater Schmeater in Seattle), and Laura Farbrother from Portland.
The River has since procured a home, an extensive, varied history, a board of directors, non-profit status, a current website, and now a full season of local, regional and national (with a splash of international), music, theater, poetry, spoken word, comedy and live radio! All the diversity this area has come to expect from the River Theater.
The inception of a new theater company dedicated to the nurturing and growth of performing arts will play a significant role in the quality of life here on the coast. The people of The River hold a strong vision for the future of their company.
Learn
more about our past productions!
Find out how you can become a Contributary
or support The River with an in-kind
contribution!
Meet our Board Members!
Read our Mission statement
Tickets are available online or at our Box Office. Please see our Tickets page for details.
Monthly Events
Troll Radio Review: Watch KMUN broadcast live from The
River's stage a medley of music, poetry, stories and scenes, with a
variety of guests each month. Hosted by Debbie
Twombly. Every last Saturday, 10-11am $2; KIDS
GET IN FREE!
Yearly Events
Simple Salmon; May/June
Totally Unplugged Rent Party: May
Highwater Festival of Fools: July
The River in the making:
Then...
...and Now!
