Wyatt S. Hayes

Since its founding in 1968, Porthouse Theatre has entertained scores of Northeast Ohio audiences and provided training opportunities for countless developing theatre artists. Every summer, more than 20,000 guests enjoy the Porthouse experience, picnicking with friends and family on the surrounding grounds or in one of our pavilions before enjoying a professional production in our comfortable 500 seat covered outdoor theatre. Porthouse Theatre is a staple in the Northeast Ohio arts community, and indeed, our patrons return year after year. Porthouse Theatre grew out of a partnership between Kent State University and The Cleveland Orchestra, who formed the Kent/Blossom Arts festival programs in 1968 in an effort to develop Blossom Music Center into a total environment for the arts. Under the direction of Kent State theatre professors Louis O. Erdmann and William H. Zucchero, Kent/Blossom Theatre became Porthouse Theatre in 1970. The theatre was named after Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Porthouse whose donation of a challenge gift facilitated the construction of the 500 seat theatre. Porthouse Theatre provides a unique training opportunity for actors, designers, technicians, and managers, working in the context of a professional producing theatre. They work side by side with established professionals to refine their skills and talents.