How Mad Horse Theatre Company keeps theater alive in Portland
Mad Horse Theatre Company fits the traditional definition of a nomad. They spent the first 20-plus years of their 40-year run putting on plays with any place that would host them.
But their quest for fresh pastures goes beyond finding venues; it also fits their tireless work ethic. Before the company has even announced the lineup for its 41st season, they're already researching for season 42.
"I have a stack of plays going already that I want to scan and share," said Allison McCall, the company's artistic director.
Mad Horse Theatre Company is kicking off its 41st season with a reveal party and fundraiser at Oxbow Blending & Bottling on Wednesday, June 3. McCall said that hosting these events in out in downtown Portland supports the company’s relentless reach for new audiences, especially ones who may not ever stumble upon their theater in South Portland. And also? It's just nice to be out of the house.
"It feels really exciting when we can be off-site again," McCall said. "Just to shake things up. When you've been (putting on shows) in the same building for eight months, and we're like, 'It's time to do something else.'"
Horsey history
Critters evoke chaos in Season 40's production of "The Squirrels." Photo by Kat Moraros Photography
Mad Horse Theatre Company was formed in 1986 by a group of theater artists, with seasoned veteran Michael Rafkin at the helm.
“They chose the name based on a quote: ‘Passion rides a Mad Horse,’" said Tootie Van Reenan, who joined in 2005 as a performer and is now a member of the Board of Directors. “No one remembers who the quote is attributed to but it captures the idea of doing challenging and exciting theater productions.”
The company made a name for itself in an already-thriving Portland theater scene, which included Portland Stage, Portland Players, and Lyric Music Theater.
But while certain stages thrived, others fell by the wayside. In the 1980s and '90s, the company performed in spots around the Portland area —some of which have long since ceased operations.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Mad Horse finally settled. They leased an old school building from the city of South Portland and have revitalized the space as a 50-seat black-box theater where they perform to this day. Despite their ever-changing location, Van Reenan said the draw has always been their tight-knit community.
“Our audience responds well to our eclectic selections and often comments, ‘That was a real Mad Horse show!’” she said.
Mad Horse is also known for its unique ticketing model, a pay-what-you-decide system that allows audiences to make no-cost reservations, then pay after the performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater company had to get creative to draw audiences in for their virtual performances. That desire for accessibility increased post-pandemic, when they no longer had the heavy foot traffic of downtown Portland. But Mad Horse didn’t want economics to be an excuse for missing out on the thrill of live theater. Even if some customers have to withhold their admission payment in order to buy a bus ticket to enjoy the show, McCall still sees that as a win for her company.
“Our only limitation is just obeying the town’s fire safety code,” McCall laughed.
The show must go on
Cast members on the set of "Really." Photo by Noli French/French's Photos
Over its 40-year history, Mad Horse has rarely done repeat productions. The members fuel their passions for the stage by conducting hours of research for a production that fits both their mission statement and the cast and crew that works with them.
McCall said she and other "horseys" subscribe to several "script boxes" from Dramatic Publishing and Concord Theatricals, which send scripts out to theater companies. McCall also travels frequently to New York to stay up to date on productions that are gaining traction in one of the world's most famous theater scenes.
"Incidentally, a lot of the (plays) that we've selected for this year came in script boxes or were from some playwrights we enjoy," she said.
The shows are determined based on whether the production fits Mad Horse's vibe, as well as their budget and capacity. That said, if they find a play they love but the company can't produce it, it doesn't get completely scrapped.
"There's also a lot of cross recommendations, McCall said. "Like, 'Hey, I read this, and it wasn't right for our group. Would you guys want to consider it?'"
The cross-pollination also occurs with the cast and crew. According to McCall, who is also associated with other theater companies such as Good Theater, Fenix Theatre Co., and PortFringe, the tight-knit theater community in Portland opens up possibilities for other theater companies to support each others work.
"It varies based on each director's style," she said. "We always start insular, but then we work our way out.
The big reveal
The cast goes dining with existentialism in "An Empty Plate in the Cafe Du Grand Boeuf," their most recent production. Photos by Kat Moraros Photography
McCall said Oxbow has been an event partner with Mad Horse for years. In addition to its centralized location with frequent walk-in traffic, Oxbow also extends an opportunity to support local businesses.
"They do these special non-profit nights, which specifically highlights (local) nonprofits without these financial barriers," McCall said. "That's where they try to fit it when it works."
McCall described the upcoming reveal party as "semi-public," meaning tickets are sold for the actual event, but walk-ins curious about the festivities can admire from afar.
In true nomadic fashion, Mad Horse goes wherever the resources are. Sometimes, all it takes is for one person's ears to perk up.
"Your experience going to a theater doesn't start when you sit down or when the lights go out," said McCall. "Your experience starts when you decide to go. So how can we remove barriers to just get you in the door?"
The reveal party is on Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on Mad Horse Theatre Company's website. Single tickets are $40, or you can buy two tickets for $60.