About Allen Performing Arts
Allen Performing Arts, Inc. stands as one of Portland, Oregon's most prominent and celebrated institutions for the performing arts. Established and owned by visionary leader Onnie Allen, the organization has earned a reputation for excellence, creativity, and community engagement. Our mission is to provide a dynamic, inclusive space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels can explore their artistic passions and hone their talents. Whether you're a beginner just discovering the performing arts or an experienced artist looking to refine your craft, Allen Performing Arts welcomes you to be part of a vibrant and supportive community.
Our programs span a wide array of artistic disciplines, offering comprehensive instruction in dance, theater, music, and more. From ballet and modern dance to vocal performance, acting, and stage production, we pride ourselves on delivering expert training tailored to each individual’s unique journey. Our curriculum is designed not only to teach technical skills but to cultivate confidence, creativity, and self-expression in all our students. Through workshops, masterclasses, and one-on-one mentoring from seasoned professionals, our students receive the guidance they need to excel both on and off the stage. At Allen Performing Arts, we believe that the arts are for everyone, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. Our state-of-the-art facilities offer top-tier resources, enabling us to deliver the highest quality instruction and performance experiences. From intimate studio spaces to larger performance venues, we provide students and community members with the opportunity to explore their artistic potential in a setting that promotes growth and collaboration.
Beyond the classroom, Allen Performing Arts is deeply integrated into the cultural fabric of Portland. We are proud to host a variety of performances, showcases, and events throughout the year, bringing together artists and audiences to share in the transformative power of the arts. Our productions span everything from cutting-edge contemporary works to beloved classics, allowing our performers to engage with diverse styles and genres while enriching the cultural landscape of the region. In addition to public performances, we also collaborate with local schools, organizations, and community groups to ensure that the arts remain accessible to all. A key part of our mission is nurturing the next generation of performers, and we are committed to providing opportunities for young artists to grow, learn, and shine. Through our youth programs, aspiring dancers, actors, musicians, and technical theater students can immerse themselves in rigorous training while building lasting friendships and connections within the arts community. We are dedicated to mentoring young talent and helping them realize their potential, both as artists and as individuals.
Allen Performing Arts is more than just a training center—it’s a place where passion meets opportunity, where creativity is celebrated, and where the community comes together to experience the transformative impact of the performing arts. We are honored to play a pivotal role in Portland's artistic landscape, and we look forward to continuing to inspire, educate, and uplift for years to come.
Onnie Allen
Onnie Allen is a proud native of Portland, Oregon, where she is married to David Allen. Together, they share a blended family of six children and 13 grandchildren.
A 1985 graduate of Jefferson High School, Onnie earned her B.A. in Human Development from Warner Pacific University. Onnie’s passion for music and arts has enabled her to serve at the Oregon State Penitentiary, bringing hope, healing and joy to those who may have been lost and forgotten.
Onnie is currently the assistant director of WomenFirst Transitional and referral Center, supporting women as they transition from prison back into their communities.
As a vocalist, Onnie has participated and directed in numerous local singing ensembles, including the Annual Gospel Christmas and Passin Art’s Black Nativity. Her musical journey has seen her share the stage with notable gospel artists such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ben Tankard, Yolanda Adams, John P. Kee, Zacardi Cortez, and Sean McLemore.
Onnie’s passion for music and service extends internationally, to Uganda and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She’s written and directed eleven musical plays, including “Christmas On The Third Floor,” “Stand,” “Lord Make Me Over,” “Bad Girls of the Bible,” “Christmas in the City,” “No Greater Love – Christmas 2015,” “Calvary Covered It All,” “The Gift That Heals,” “He Paid It All,” “Lord Fix It,” and “Covergirl.” Onnie is the founder of Allen Performing Arts Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the arts.
ALLEN PERFORMING ARTS PLAYS
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