About the Ross Ragland Theater and Cultural Center
Originally a 1940s Art Deco movie house, the Ross Ragland Theater was brought back to life in 1989 through a community-wide effort to advance the arts in Klamath Falls. Today it serves as a year-round, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary performing arts center for south-central Oregon and northern California.
Our Mission
The Ross Ragland Theater & Cultural Center provides high-quality performing arts and educational experiences that enhance community life in the Klamath Basin. This mission drives every production, program, and partnership we present.
We believe that access to the arts — whether through performance, learning, or shared community experience — enriches lives and builds deeper connections across generations.
What We Do
Performances for Everyone
From concert tours and ballet to comedy, opera, and community musicals, the Ragland brings a broad array of artistic experiences to the Basin.
Arts Education & Outreach
Educational programming introduces young people and adults to the arts through workshops, matinees, classes, and outreach initiatives — reaching thousands annually.
Community Engagement
We serve as a gathering place for shared experiences that reflect the cultural richness and diversity of our region. The theater’s continued success is powered by volunteers, donors, sponsors, and partners who believe in the transformative power of the arts.
Accessibility at Ross Ragland Theater
Ross Ragland Theater is committed to making the arts welcoming and accessible to all members of our community. We continually invest in tools, services, and accommodations that support a comfortable and inclusive experience for every guest.
Accessibility features include:
- Assistive listening systems
- ASL-interpreted performances for select events
- Accessible seating, entrances, and restrooms
- Digital programs available via QR code to reduce barriers and paper use
If you have specific accessibility needs, our team is happy to assist and answer questions in advance of your visit.
The Ross Ragland Theater Back Then...
In 1940, The Esquire, a 1,000-seat movie theater, opened on November 30th with a showing of “The Westerner” starring Gary Cooper.
When the Ross Ragland Theater opened its doors in March of 1989 with a local production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, it represented a culmination of community vision and dedication to advance the arts. Plans for a Klamath Falls Civic Center were first formulated in the late 1970s and fundraising efforts began in 1983. Hundreds of volunteers, led by Jean Pinniger and Joan Staunton, worked tirelessly to raise funds for the renovation. The project came dangerously close to failure when the owners of the Esquire Theater decided to demolish the building. The Founders of the local Community Lounge stepped forward to save the Esquire by purchasing and donating the building to the City of Klamath Falls in exchange for a permanent home in a portion of the renovated space. Renovation of the facility began in 1987.
The Jeld-Wen Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, Weyerhauser Company Foundation, and Modoc Lumber Company provided the primary funding for the $2M project. Many local businesses and hundreds of individuals also made significant contributions to the project.
The theater’s namesake, Ross Ragland, was a prominent local civic leader and champion of the arts. Chairman of the campaign for the theater renovation, Mr. Ragland died in 1987, before the theater’s completion. The project leaders quickly moved to name the theater in honor of his memory and service.
In late 1989, nine months after it opened, The Ross Ragland Theater became a privately owned, not-for-profit corporation when it purchased the newly renovated facility from the City of Klamath Falls. Since that time, it has operated as a privately owned and operated theater with continued support from public and private sources.
In the mid-1990s, a very substantial bequest from Ann and Sam Rife funded the Ragland-Rife Foundation, an endowment fund created to secure the theater’s longevity and financial health. In addition, in 1996, a sizeable bequest from generous guild member Patricia Allen helped further advance the Rife’s fundraising efforts.

In 1997, the community once again banded together in fundraising for the $2M addition of the adjoining Cultural Center. The addition of The Ragland Cultural Center with its two large banquet rooms and full catering kitchen allowed the theater to further serve Klamath organizations and individuals. Many meetings, banquets, and weddings take place in The Cultural Center each year.
...The Ross Ragland Theater Today
One of the theater’s most successful programs has been its Outreach and Education program. The program provides curriculum-based cultural experiences to schoolchildren in the four-county region. Annually, over 10,000 children benefit from educational programming at the theater. The Ross Ragland Theater hosts student matinees and workshops with renowned artists, summer art classes, and a teen theater program for underserved youth. Additionally, The Access Program for Low Income Youth and Families ensures equal access to the arts by providing free or reduced tickets and tuition.
A major resource for the theater has been The Ross Ragland Theater Guild, a volunteer organization of over 100 active members who staff every event with ushers and concessionaires. The Guild provides thousands of volunteer hours each year, saving the theater thousands of dollars in labor costs. Two other volunteer organizations – The Board of Directors and The Ragland-Rife Foundation Board – help provide for the daily and long-term health of The Ragland.

The existence and continued operation of The Ross Ragland Theater & Cultural Center is a testament to the dedication and aspirations of the residents and businesses of the Klamath Basin. It is your theater and it is an integral and important part of what makes Klamath Falls such a unique place to live and work. We thank you for your continued support.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of The Ross Ragland Theater is responsible for exercising fiduciary oversight, providing strategic direction, and ensuring the future viability of The Ross Ragland Theater. As a corporate body, the Board of Directors provides overall leadership of the organization via its supervision of the Executive Director. Members are nominated and selected pursuant to the Bylaws of the organization and serve a three (3) year term of office with a two (2) term maximum. The primary purpose of the Theater’s Board is to ensure the organization’s resources are used efficiently and effectively in pursuit of its mission. Second, the board asks not just whether but also how effectively programs advance the Theater’s mission, a type of analysis that involves performance measurement. Third, the board promotes lawful and ethical behavior, striving to ensure compliance with basic standards of safety, legality, and honesty.
Paul Stewart
President
Allison Phair
Vice-President/Secretary
Courtney Talbot
Treasurer
John Evoniuk
Director
Elizabeth Evoniuk
Director
Stephen Gaither
Director
Josh Guest
Director
Robin Raiter
Director
Jim McCabe
Ragland Rife
Joan Staunton
Member Emerita
Regina Morris
Careers at Ross Ragland Theater
Interested in working behind the scenes at a community-driven performing arts center? Ross Ragland Theater offers opportunities to be part of live performances, arts education, and cultural programming that serve the Klamath Basin.

We’re always looking for individuals who are collaborative, reliable, and passionate about creating welcoming, high-quality experiences for artists and audiences alike.
