Clinton Street Theater
A historic independent movie theater in southeast Portland, Oregon, known for cult, experimental, documentary, revival, and locally oriented film programming.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Clinton Street Theater is an independent cinema in southeast Portland, Oregon, United States. The venue occupies a historic building associated with the Kleist Building, a pressed-brick commercial structure whose ground floor was designed to include a movie theater and whose upper floors contained residential rooms and apartments. Architect Charles A. Duke designed the theater in 1913; construction followed in 1914, and the venue opened to audiences in 1915 under the name The Clinton. With a reported capacity of approximately 300 seats, it is regarded as one of Portland's oldest continuously operating movie houses and is commonly described as the city's second-oldest operating cinema. The theater has operated under several names. Its original entrance faced 26th Avenue until 1922. In 1945 it became the 26th Avenue Theatre, and in 1969 it was renamed the Encore. A variation of the original Clinton name returned in 1975, when a five-person collective acquired the theater business. That collective included Jim Blashfield, Joe Uris, Lenny Diener, and David Lifton, among others. During this period, the venue moved away from an earlier emphasis on X-rated films and developed a broader identity centered on foreign films, repertory titles, cult cinema, and community-oriented programming. The collective also published the Clinton St. Quarterly, which featured work associated with Portland literary and cartooning circles, including poetry by Walt Curtis and cartoons by John Callahan. Clinton Street Theater's most enduring cultural association is its regular presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Screenings began in 1978 and became one of the longest-running presentations of the film in the United States. The theater also became associated with screenings of Repo! The Genetic Opera and with a programming mix that includes grindhouse movies, music films, political documentaries, experimental work, independent releases, and revivals. Its calendar has frequently served as an outlet for filmmakers and performers whose work does not fit conventional multiplex distribution. From 1999 to 2003, Elizabeth Rozier and Dennis Nyback operated the theater. Nyback had begun presenting programs there in 1997 and used the venue for both conventional film screenings and programs assembled from his extensive moving-image archive. Their repertory included examinations of advertising, animation, industrial films, music films, and other unusual archival material. Seth and Nicola Sonstein acquired the business in September 2003 after encountering the theater through their involvement with San Francisco's Sick Puppy short-film festival. They introduced practical improvements, including heating and air conditioning, and refurbished parts of the bathrooms, lobby, and interior walls while maintaining an emphasis on independent films and local filmmakers. The business, including fixtures and projection and concession equipment but not the building itself, was offered for sale in 2012. Ownership transferred in April of that year to Roger and Lani Jo Leigh. The Leighs continued the weekly Rocky Horror program and emphasized documentaries and independent cinema. In April 2022, ownership transferred again to a six-person collective, which announced plans to preserve the weekly Rocky Horror screenings. The theater has also hosted the Filmed by Bike festival, the Faux Film Festival, the Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival, the Portland Underground Film Festival, short-film showcases, benefit programs, lectures, comedy events, and appearances by filmmakers and cultural figures. Its significance rests less on commercial scale than on longevity, neighborhood presence, and its role as a flexible exhibition space for cult, independent, archival, and community-based film culture.
History
The building associated with Clinton Street Theater appeared in Portland newspaper coverage in 1913, when it was known as the Kleist Building after owner Edward Kleist. Its pressed-brick facade and hollow-tile walls enclosed commercial space, while the upper floor was planned for residential rooms and apartments. The ground floor included a purpose-built movie theater. Charles A. Duke designed the approximately 300-seat venue in 1913, construction took place in 1914, and the cinema opened in 1915 as The Clinton. A February 1915 advertisement announced a March 1 presentation of The Exploits of Elaine, a detective serial featuring Craig Kennedy. The theater's entrance originally faced 26th Avenue and remained oriented that way until 1922. In 1945 the venue adopted the name 26th Avenue Theatre, and in 1969 it became The Encore. A version of the original Clinton identity returned in 1975, when a five-person collective purchased the theater business. The collective included Jim Blashfield, Joe Uris, Lenny Diener, and David Lifton, along with other participants. It also published the Clinton St. Quarterly, a local cultural publication that included poetry by Walt Curtis and cartoons by John Callahan. The collective changed the venue's programming direction: instead of concentrating on X-rated films, it presented foreign films, older repertory titles, and emerging cult favorites, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The theater's Rocky Horror screenings began in 1978 and became its defining long-term tradition. The run is considered one of the longest continuous presentations of the film. Over time, the cinema developed a reputation for grindhouse, exploitation, experimental, political, music, documentary, and revival programming. Its identity has been tied to flexibility and curation rather than a fixed commercial format, allowing it to host both conventional independent releases and unusual archival or community programs. Elizabeth Rozier and Dennis Nyback operated the venue from September 1999 until 2003. Nyback had already presented films at the theater beginning in 1997 and used the space for programs drawn from his film archive. These included compilations and themed shows involving classic commercials, animation, industrial films, music films, and other unusual material. In September 2003, Seth and Nicola Sonstein bought the business after visiting Portland as coordinators of San Francisco's Sick Puppy short-film festival. They installed heating and air conditioning, which had not previously been available, and renovated the bathrooms, lobby, walls, and other interior areas. Their stated priorities included independent cinema and support for local filmmakers. In March 2012, the operating business was placed on the market. The sale covered fixtures, projection equipment, and concession equipment but not the building itself. Roger and Lani Jo Leigh acquired the business in April 2012. The ownership change was marked by an open house, documentary screenings, and a program of rare trailers and video material from the Prelinger Archives. The Leighs continued the Rocky Horror tradition and maintained an emphasis on documentary and independent film. In April 2022, ownership passed from the Leighs to a collective of six co-owners. The collective indicated that it intended to continue weekly Rocky Horror screenings. Across its history, the theater has also hosted Filmed by Bike, the Faux Film Festival, the Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival, the Portland Underground Film Festival, short-film showcases, lectures, comedy programs, holiday commemorations, and charitable events. Visitors and guest presenters have included Crispin Glover, Bill Plympton, Tom Shadyac, Chuck Palahniuk, Tom Potter, and Gus Van Sant. The theater's historical importance derives from its unusually long operating life and its role as a Portland venue for cult film, independent production, archival moving images, and local cultural activity.
- 2022
Six-person ownership collective takes over
[1]Ownership transfers to a collective of six co-owners, with plans to preserve the weekly Rocky Horror program.
- 2012
The Leighs acquire the operating business
[1]Roger and Lani Jo Leigh purchase the theater business and continue independent and documentary programming.
- 2003
Sonstein ownership begins
[1]Seth and Nicola Sonstein acquire the business and undertake facility improvements.
- 1999
Rozier and Nyback assume operation
[1]Elizabeth Rozier and Dennis Nyback take over operations and expand archival and unconventional programming.
- 1978
Rocky Horror screenings begin
[1]The theater starts its long-running regular presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- 1975
A collective restores the Clinton identity
[1]A five-person collective acquires the business and returns it to a version of the Clinton name.
- 1969
Name changes to The Encore
[1]The theater begins operating as The Encore.
- 1945
Name changes to 26th Avenue Theatre
[1]The venue adopts the name 26th Avenue Theatre.
- 1915
The Clinton opens
[1]The approximately 300-seat cinema begins operations under its original name.
- 1914
Construction is completed
[1]The theater space is built as part of the commercial and residential Kleist Building.
Products and positioning
A historic neighborhood cinema positioned around independent, cult, experimental, documentary, repertory, and community-oriented film exhibition rather than mainstream multiplex programming.
Cult film exhibition · 1978
The Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings
The theater's signature recurring program began in 1978. Its regular presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is regarded as one of the longest-running screenings of the film and has become central to the venue's public identity and cult-cinema positioning.
Film exhibition
Independent and documentary cinema
Clinton Street Theater regularly presents independent features, documentaries, political films, foreign films, revival titles, and work by local filmmakers. This programming reflects the theater's role as an alternative to mainstream multiplex distribution.
Repertory and archival exhibition · 1999
Archival and experimental film programs
The venue has hosted themed programs built from archival footage, commercials, animation, industrial films, music films, and other unconventional moving-image material, including programs curated from Dennis Nyback's archive.
Film festival · 2003
Filmed by Bike
An annual festival associated with the theater, Filmed by Bike presents independent short films from around the world centered on bicycles, cycling, and related themes.
Film festival
Faux Film Festival
The Faux Film Festival brings cult and independent film programming to the theater, reinforcing its role as a venue for non-mainstream cinema.
Documentary film festival
Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival
The theater hosts this documentary-focused festival, which adds queer perspectives and community-oriented nonfiction cinema to its programming.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Three-Minute Picture Show
Portland, Oregon
Clinton Street Theater hosted a showcase dedicated to three-minute films by first-time filmmakers.
Outcome. The program gave emerging filmmakers a public exhibition opportunity.
- 2009Portland Trail Blazers 40th-anniversary screening
Portland, Oregon
The theater screened the rare documentary Fast Break in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Portland Trail Blazers and the team's 1976–77 championship season.
Outcome. The event provided a locally relevant archival sports-film program.
- Can't Stop the Serenity
Portland, Oregon
The theater hosted a PDX Browncoats benefit featuring Serenity and other films in support of Equality Now and the Oregon Food Bank.
Outcome. The event connected cult-film exhibition with charitable fundraising.
Brand decisions
2022
Ownership transfers to a six-person collectiveM&ABackground
The Leighs transferred ownership after operating the business for approximately a decade.
Action taken
A collective of six co-owners took control of the theater business.
Aftermath
The collective planned to preserve the weekly Rocky Horror Picture Show screening.
2012
The operating business transfers to Roger and Lani Jo LeighM&ABackground
The business and its equipment were offered for sale, while the building itself was excluded from the transaction.
Action taken
Roger and Lani Jo Leigh acquired the theater business in April.
Aftermath
The new owners continued Rocky Horror screenings and emphasized documentary and independent films.
2003
Seth and Nicola Sonstein acquire the theater businessM&ABackground
The Sonsteins encountered the theater while visiting Portland in connection with the Sick Puppy short-film festival.
Action taken
They purchased the business and invested in heating, air conditioning, bathrooms, the lobby, and interior finishes.
Aftermath
Independent films and support for local filmmakers remained central priorities during their tenure.
1975
Broaden programming beyond X-rated filmsStrategyBackground
The theater had been showing X-rated films before a collective acquired the business.
Action taken
The new operators introduced foreign films, repertory titles, and cult programming, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Aftermath
The change established the theater's longer-term independent, alternative, and community-oriented identity.
Recent events
- 2022
Ownership transfers to a six-person collective[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The Leighs transferred ownership to a collective of six co-owners, who planned to retain the weekly Rocky Horror presentation.
- 2012
Business assets are offered for sale[1]
M&A
The operating business and equipment, excluding the theater building, were listed for sale.
- 2012
Roger and Lani Jo Leigh acquire the business[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Ownership transferred to Roger and Lani Jo Leigh, who stated that Rocky Horror and documentary and independent-film programming would continue.
- 2010
The theater hosts the Three-Minute Picture Show[1]
Campaign · Other
The venue presented a showcase of three-minute films made by first-time filmmakers.
- 2009
Clinton Street Theater presents Fast Break[1]
Other
The theater screened the rare basketball documentary Fast Break as part of a celebration of the Portland Trail Blazers' 40th anniversary.
- 2003
Filmed by Bike festival launches at the theater[1]
Campaign · Product launch
The venue became associated with the annual Filmed by Bike festival, which presents bicycle-themed independent short films from around the world.
- 2003
The Sonsteins purchase the theater business[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Seth and Nicola Sonstein acquired the business and upgraded its facilities while maintaining an independent-film orientation.
- 1999
Rozier and Nyback take over operations[1]
M&A
Elizabeth Rozier and Dennis Nyback assumed operation of the cinema and introduced a mix of new, revival, archival, and unconventional programming.
- 1978
Weekly Rocky Horror screenings begin[1]
Product launch · Other
The theater began its long-running regular presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- 1975
A collective acquires and reorients the theater[1]
M&A
A five-person collective acquired the business, restored a version of the Clinton name, and broadened programming beyond X-rated films.
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