The Cuomo Theater represents the culmination of an 11-year journey for Matt Brown and YBA to develop an operating and spatial model to preserve and enhance the long-term viability of small, exceptional performing arts companies in Portland, Oregon. It offers a template for similar companies struggling to navigate spatial and economic pressures in other urban places. The companies involved are professional:  they offer world class theater and pay the actors, staff and administrators living wages. The intimate format offers patrons a one-of-a-kind immersive experience in the work and the opportunity to connect with cast and crew in a far deeper way than in larger format venues, and extending before and after performances, by design.

The project delivers rehearsal, administrative office, set building, changing, storage and other support spaces for the Cuomo Theater Consortium, comprised of Third Rail Repertory Theater Company, Portland Experimental Theater Ensemble (PETE) and Coho Productions. It also provides a fresh new exterior appearance, establishing a publicly accessible exterior space of exchange, with minimal means. The alterations set the stage for a food cart to occupy part of the activated exterior on-site apron.

YBA successfully navigated multiple code appeals to enable this pioneering adaptive re-use project. Under YBA’s project management, it was executed on time and on budget from start to finish with extreme economy of means. YBA executed much of its work pro bono as part of the firm’s commitment to promoting arts and culture in public life and places. This project kicks off a much larger set of aspirations to establish a vibrant hub of professional, world class theater for companies performing within in an intimate format.