ABOUT US
OUR MISSION: PHAME empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead full, creative lives through arts education and performance.
OUR STORY
PHAME was founded in 1984 as a creative alternative to the Special Olympics—an inclusive space where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities could explore singing, dancing, and acting. What began as casual Saturday gatherings has since grown into a vibrant, full-scale arts school offering classes in theatre, music, dance, visual art, creative writing, and more, all led by professional artists.
Rooted in the core values of self-determination, opportunity, dignity of risk, excellence, and inclusion, PHAME is built on the belief that everyone has the right to pursue their own creativity. Our programs empower students through the arts while also building teamwork and communication skills, self-awareness, and self-advocacy.
PHAME is more than just a school—it’s a place where students take creative risks, grow as artists, and forge lasting relationships with people who share their lived experience of disability. With a staff that meets students where they are and provides individualized support and accommodations, PHAME fosters an environment where students can create, explore, evolve—and ultimately, be themselves.
VISION STATEMENT
PHAME envisions a community that champions opportunities and possibilities for all.
CORE VALUES
Self-Determination. Opportunity. Dignity of Risk. Excellence. Inclusion.
PHAME THROUGH THE YEARS
Here are a few key moments from PHAME’s 40+ year history.
1984
PHAME’s first production takes the stage in December 1984. The play is directed by PHAME's founder, Carol Stady, alongside a group of dedicated families, care providers, and young and older adults with developmental disabilities.
1987
PHAME produces its first fully staged traditional Broadway-style musical, My Fair Lady.
1993
PHAME formally incorporates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
1994
A group of PHAME artists travels to Brussels, Belgium, and offers a command performance as part of the VSA Very Special Arts International Festival.
1998
PHAME holds its first gala fundraising event at Portland's World Trade Center, Portland.
2008
PHAME tours across the Pacific Northwest.
2010
PHAME takes up new residence at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Northeast Portland.
2011
PHAME is recognized with the City of Portland “Making A Difference Award,” and breaks attendance records with its summer production of “Grease,” making it the best-attended PHAME production in the organization’s history.
2012
PHAME embarks on its most ambitious touring project to date, with “PHAME: The H is for Honored Tour,” in which over 50 PHAME artists tour across the four-county region, performing to over 3,000 community members in schools, community centers, and concert halls. The tour culminates in a blowout show at the Aladdin Theater.
PHAME partners with Runaway Mustache Productions to produce the feature-length documentary, In This Together, premiering August 1, 2012 at The Hollywood Theatre.
PHAME collaborates with and opens for Oregon's own globe-trotting world pop mini orchestra, Pink Martini, at the Oregon Zoo.
2014
Supported by the board and the leadership of Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin, PHAME creates a new set of core values. By including Self-Determination, Dignity of Risk, and Inclusion in its values statement, PHAME commits to shaping its programming around the voices, opinions and stories of its students. This commitment spurs the addition of two students to the PHAME board, fast-tracks the creation of staff positions for students, and is the impetus for creating a student leadership and public speaking program.
2015
PHAME presents the world premiere play with music Up the Fall. Written by Debbie Lamedman and featuring music and lyrics by Laura Gibson, Up the Fall is performed at Artists Repertory Theatre and is PHAME’s first integrated performance featuring actors with and without disabilities.
2017
PHAME launches the One Community initiative, including the One Community Luncheon and the Oregon Arts Leaders for Inclusion Coalition.
In partnership with PHAME students, Director Matthew B. Zrebski develops in a single breath, an original play inspired by student experiences. The play is performed at Artists Repertory Theatre by actors with and without disabilities.
PHAME hires Jenny R. Stadler, Ph.D. as Executive Director.
2018
PHAME launches a multi-year collaboration with Portland Opera and introduces a new school-wide core curriculum.
2019
Continuing its multi-year collaboration with Portland Opera, PHAME presents The Poet’s Shadow, an original rock opera featuring artists with disabilities at every stage of the process.
The City of Portland honors PHAME by proclaiming July 31, 2019 “PHAME Day” and hosting the PHAME community at City Hall.
2020
PHAME introduces online classes, virtual hangouts, Cabarets, and other Zoom-based programing in order to keep students connected and creative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students from across the country join PHAME’s expanding community.
2022
PHAME reintroduces in-person classes after operating 100% online during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023
PHAME introduces “Technique” classes: intermediate-level classes that allow for deeper study of specific topics.
PHAME takes the stage at Revolution Hall to present Stop Making Sense, a multimedia production inspired by Talking Heads’ 1984 concert film of the same name.
2025
Portland Revels presents Revelation Coffee, an original play featuring and created by PHAME students in collaboration with Portland Revels.
JOIN US
Become a Student
The first step to becoming a student is to schedule an interview with a member of our student engagement team.
Partner with Us
We love our partners!
Let’s talk about what we can do together.
Support Our Work
You can make a difference for PHAME artists through monthly giving, one-time gifts, and employer matching. Thank you!