Portland Opera’s administrative offices, costume shop, rehearsal spaces, performance venue, Broadway in Portland administrative office, and Broadway box office are all located in The Hampton Opera Center.
The Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre is a black box theatre that offers flexible seating arrangements. Whether the performance is in the round, or with audience members on three sides of the playing spaces, this venue is intimate and you won't miss a moment of up-close live performance.
Directions
Parking
The Hampton Opera Center is where SE Water Ave meets Caruthers, between our neighbors OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and the Portland Spirit. Limited street parking can be found in the cul-de-sac on Caruthers near the Eastbank Esplanade entrance. We open up our staff parking lot to patrons on performance nights after 5pm.
Public Transit
Our building sits conveniently next to the OMSI/SE Water transit station that services Portland Streetcar, MAX light rail, Trimet buses, and a Nike Biketown hub station. To plan your trip or map your route go here.
Go by Bike
Located at the of entrance to the Eastbank Esplanade, the Tilikum Crossing bike paths, a neighborhood greenway, and the Springwater Corridor trail, this area is a hub for cyclists, scooters, skateboarders, and pedestrians. To plan your bike route go here.
Limited bike parking can be found at the entrance of our building as well as along the Eastbank Esplanade.
Walk There
Walk to the opera? Why not! If you live downtown you can utilize the pedestrian paths on Tilikum Crossing and after some breathtaking views of the Willamette river (Mt. Hood on a clear day) and an invigorating walk, voila! You’ve arrived at the Hampton Opera Center. If you live on the eastside, a promenade along the Esplanade is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of the river along the tree lined pathway (watch out for bikes!).
Accessibility
Mobility Access
The Hampton Opera Center is equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance with the Box Office, lobby, refreshment areas, a single stall all-gender accessible restroom, and performance venue all on the ground floor. Within the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre, there is a small slope down to the seating area, and limited accessible, wheelchair, and companion seating options.
Please contact our Patron Services team at 503-241-1802 to confirm accessible seat availability and to ensure your experience at the opera is a great one.
Captions
Don’t know Italian or French? Don't worry, you won’t miss a word! Every performance at Portland Opera includes captions above the stage with English translations.
Interpreted Performances
We are proud to partner with the Collective of Audio Describers in Arts (CADA for short) to provide a live audio description of the visual and physical events on stage for patrons who have low vision, are visually impaired, or blind. Sunday matinee performances are interpreted. Headsets are available at our Box Office and can be checked out free of charge.
Please note that Portland Opera does not typically offer ASL Interpreted performances.
Concierge Services
Stop by the concierge booth (in the lobby or outside) to say hello! Our staff will be on hand to take tickets, help with way-finding, and answer any burning questions about the performance (like where to purchase your glass of wine). Let us know if you need a cough drop, a Band-Aid, or would like assistance. We're happy to help!
Photo Opportunities & Policy
Take a selfie at the opera! At the Hampton Opera Center we’ll have a photo backdrop set up in the stairwell near our self-serve coat check. Tag us @portlandopera and share your photos with hashtag #pdxopera.
Please note that photos and cell phone use inside the studio theatre during performances is disruptive and prohibited.
Food & Beverage
We’ll have light snacks and beverages available for purchase in the lounge off of our main lobby. Snacks can be enjoyed before the opera and during intermissions but will not be allowed in the theatre during the performance. Beverages can be enjoyed inside with a lid and straw. Cheers!
Please note that outside food and beverages are prohibited.
Late Seating Policy
We are often not able to offer late seating or re-entry at Portland Opera performances at The Hampton Opera Center. A viewing area with a sound system and monitor will be set up in the lecture hall next to the theatre to accommodate patrons arriving late or leaving the theatre during the performance.
If the performance includes an intermission, patrons can be reseated after the break to enjoy the remainder of the performance in the theatre. Read our full policies to learn more.