Another Portland theater company is dealing with a critical budget shortfall.

When Oregon Children’s Theatre announced in March it would suspend operations at the end of the summer, it was just the latest in a string of post-pandemic defeats for local arts organizations.

Now, Portland Center Stage says it will be forced to shut down without support from the community.

On Thursday, the theater company launched a $9 million emergency fundraising campaign, saying that unless it can raise the first part of the funds, $2.5 million, by Aug. 31, “the theater will cease operations.”

Like many other arts organizations, COVID recovery has been slow for Portland Center Stage. Costs have risen and audiences have been slow to return to the theater. At the same time, pandemic-era funds have dried up.

These factors have turned into a perfect storm.

According to a press release, Portland Center Stage “currently operates with no endowment and no bank line of credit, relying entirely on annual giving, grants, and ticket revenue to survive.”

The company started the 2024-2025 season with “a $1.4 million deficit,” the release said.

In response, the organization “cut $600,000 in expenses and has raised $1 million,” but that is not enough to keep the enterprise afloat.

“While keeping the transcendent work on stage, serving thousands of kids through our education programs, and offering a gorgeous lineup of free music and dance with our community programs, we are doing everything within our power, to keep PCS alive and thriving,” said Portland Center Stage artistic director Marissa Wolf in a press release.

“We’re cutting costs,” she added. “We’re restructuring. We’re investing in smarter strategies and expanding partnerships. But we cannot do it alone.”

Now the theater is hoping to raise enough money to implement a five-year plan and keep the doors open and lights on.

The first goal is $2.5 million to launch the next season. After that, the theater hopes to get $2.5 million more by December to eliminate deficits and build a cash reserve.

By June 2026, Portland Center Stage hopes to get $4 million more, for a total of $9 million, to continue operations.

Donations can be made at pcs.org/savePCS. Tickets to Portland Center Stage’s current production, “The Brothers Size,” are on sale now, as well as tickets for future shows.