The River Theater

Mission Statement

To produce and present for the Lower Columbia Region dynamic performing arts in an intimate space.

About Us

The River was opened in 1998 to provide a home for the arts: theatrical, visual, and musical. Housed at 230 West Marine Drive, the theater lies "under the bridge on the Oregon side" at the edge of the Columbia River. We've come a long way since the River was just a stream of consciousness flowing between three minds (co-founders Tim Hurd, Karen Bain and Nancy Montgomery). Countless individuals have joined the stream, helping make it flow into the vibrant, rolling River that will only continue to rise!

The River is a new theater on the North Coast, making its home in the historic port town and growing artist community of Astoria. The River is housed in a Uniontown District vintage building which has been converted to a professionally equipped, intimate, 93-seat Black Box theater. Tim Hurd and his wife Nancy Montgomery have been able to make this dream a reality through their own efforts and the contributions of countless others. Hurd, owner of Columbia River Coffee Roaster, termed the phrase, "The Coffee that Floats the Arts" to describe the development of a unique relationship between his wholesale coffee company and the theater venue.