Breakin Portland

Breakin Portland is a groundbreaking new dance theater work that amplifies the untold stories of Portland’s breakdancers—artists who have dedicated their lives to this urban folk art with little financial reward but profound social impact. Through live performance, voiceovers drawn from personal interviews, and powerful solo vignettes, the show illuminates how breaking has shaped the lives of mostly low-income BIPOC men in our city, offering safety, community, and purpose in the face of disenfranchisement.

Set against live music and a backdrop of murals by local graffiti artists, Breakin Portland immerses audiences in the culture of hip hop. Surrounding the performance, an archival photo exhibit of Portland breakdancing across the decades will set historical context, honoring the community’s legacy and evolution.

Breakin Portland invites theater audiences to experience breaking as more than entertainment: it is a public good that keeps youth safe, fosters belonging, and enriches our cultural landscape. By investing in this project, you support not only a dynamic performance, but also workshops, community engagement, archival preservation, and new opportunities for local dancers to be compensated, seen, and celebrated for their artistry.

Show Dates

Friday, October 23 — 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 24 — 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 25 — 7:30 PM

Friday, October 30 — 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 31 — 3:00 PM
Sunday, November 1 — 7:30 PM