Classical Ballet Academy and Foster Theater
Classical Ballet Academy (CBA) opened on SE Foster in 2023. Once the dance studios opened, renovation work began on the adjoining theater space, previously known as the Day Theater. On November 8, 2025, a grand opening was celebrated for the newly branded Foster Theater. Below is a Q & A we did with the owner of CBA and Foster Theater, Sarah Rigles, so we could get to know her a bit more and shine a light on the amazing facilities and performance space.
What is your background, and how long have you owned CBA?
I was a dancer for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the classical ballet world. My early years were spent in Michigan and Idaho. At age 16 I left home to accept a spot at the Joffrey Ballet in NYC. I danced and taught in NYC until deciding to retire from the grueling world of dance and go to college. I attended Smith College in Massachusetts. I graduated with a psychology degree focusing on Organizational Development. I then moved to Portland, Oregon and began corporate work and teaching dance at various dance studios. In 2004 I took the leap to open Classical Ballet Academy (we have been open for going on 22 years now). We started with three students in a small building in Sellwood, Oregon. Over the years the school grew and we outgrew the small space in Sellwood. In 2023 we sold the building in Sellwood and decided to take on the Day Theater building. We spent a lot of time planning, getting loans from Key Bank. We turned 1/2 of the building into 4 dance studios, dressing rooms, and a very busy costume sewing area. The other 1/2 of the building was restored as a theater - the Foster Theater. Our dance school now has over 600 dancers, dancing various styles of dance (we offer over 75+ classes a week). Classes are for dancers age 3-100.
What drew you to Foster when expanding CBA and moving from your previous location?
We needed more space and we were looking for the right building. I also wanted a neighborhood that cares about community and the arts. Foster is such a great spot for us. We have been welcomed by the community and I am so grateful we are in the old Day family building. My spouse, LJ Rigles, and I were driving around and saw the beautiful, yet dilapidated Day Theater building and knew right away, this was it!
What's programming look like at CBA, and what's the early vision for Foster Theater?
Classical Ballet Academy (CBA) is bustling and busy all the time. We have 75+ classes a week and we put on multiple performances throughout the year. Some of our performances will be in the newly remodeled Foster Theater and some will be downtown at Portland State University Lincoln Hall. This winter we have 20 performances (The Nutcracker, The Children's Nutcracker, The Nutcracker Sweet Suite, Winter Showcase, and Winter Concert). The shows highlight our students but we aim for a professional theater experience for all audience members. We would love for the community to join us for these sell out productions.
For Foster Theater we are really hoping community performing arts groups will rent the theater and provide even more opportunity, community, and business, for Foster Road. We have some business meetings, dance, music, and theater groups that will hold performances in the space. Anyone interested in renting the space please email info@fostertheaterpdx.com
What do you like most about operating on Foster?
Owning and operating a theater has been a childhood goal of mine. Old buildings and old theaters hold history as well as the future for me. Theaters have always felt like magic to me. The smell, the feel, the anticipation of a great show, of seeing something that will change me. What I am most excited about is seeing the talent, artistry, and magic, that will unfold in Foster Theater.This has been a theater for over 100 years. Our mission is to Experience, Create, and Connect, the Foster Theater is now a dedicated performing arts venue designed to support a diverse range of programming - from community gatherings and youth performances to professional music, dance, and theater productions.
