Oregon Shakespeare Festival
oregon shakespeare festival osf regional repertory theatre ashland oregon united state founded angus l bowmer festival offer matinee evening performance wide range classic contemporary play limited shakespeare festival five eleven play offered daily rotation six day week three theatre welcomed millionth visitor millionth millionth visitor oregon shakespeare festival osf regional repertory theatre ashland oregon united state founded angus l bowmer late april december year festival offer matinee evening performance wide range classic contemporary play limited shakespeare total annual audience nearly festival welcomed millionth visitor millionth millionth visitor given time five eleven play offered daily rotation six day week three theatre year two three play staged outdoor allen elizabethan theatre two three intimate thomas theatre four five traditional angus bowmer theatre osf completed entire shakespeare canon play since also offered nonshakespearean play since least one new work season playwright octavio solis robert schenkkan several gone venue numerous award see complete list year theatre available production history oregon shakespeare festival osf also provides broad range educational program middle school high school college student teacher theatre professional resident ashland built facility host chautauqua event heyday accommodated audience appearance like john philip sousa william jennings bryan annual day season new domed structure built site fell disrepair chautauqua movement died similarity remaining wall thenroofless chautauqua building elizabethan theatre inspired southern oregon university drama professor angus l bowmer propose using present play shakespeare ashland city leader loaned sum exceed approximately equivalent present two play part city independence day celebration however pressed bowmer add boxing match cover expected deficit bowmer agreed feeling event perfect keeping bawdiness elizabethan theatre work progress administration helped construct makeshift elizabethan stage chautauqua site confidently billing first annual oregon shakespearean festival bowmer presented twelfth night july july merchant venice july directing playing lead role play reserved seat cost general admission adult child approximately equivalent ironically profit play covered loss boxing match incurred festival continued ever since excepting – bowmer served world war ii due covid pandemic quickly developed reputation quality production angus bowmers first wife lois served art director creating costume scenery formative year festival osf took production taming shrew golden gate international exposition san francisco nationally broadcast radio lead actress learning last minute broadcast would national audience suffered panic attack rushed hospital standin took script didnt arrive set three minute air time festival achieved widespread national recognition direction andrew c love – nbc broadcast abbreviated performance year carried station nationally armed force radio radio free europe program favorable review critic drew audience festival around country program led life magazine story festival bringing even people play nbc program subsequent attention go long way explaining tiny outoftheway timber town northwest became theatrical tourist mecca angus l bowmer retired leadership festival passed jerry turner widened festival repertory production classic like molière ibsen chekhov turner retired actordirector henry woronicz took control osf recruited libby appel highly respected indiana repertory theatre served artistic director bill rauch succeeded libby appel artistic director serving incorporated musical nonwestern play annual selection sought connection classic play contemporary concern also started black swan lab – osf actor developed new work stage inspired shakespeare play rauch also initiated year program commission new play collectively called american revolution united state history cycle commissioned ten reached stage several great acclaim including tony award bing crosby served honorary director festival charles laughton visited saying seen four best production shakespeare ever seen life laughton begged play king lear died could fulfill dream stacy keach cast member duke ellington orchestra presented benefit concert brought many luminary ashland saw birth tradition following curtain call ending last outdoor play season company member actor carrying candle silently enter darkened theatre traditional english folk tune greensleeves company member selected honor speaks prosperos word act iv scene tempest beginning revel ended actor foretold spirit melted air thin air… completion speech extinguish flame file silently theatre tradition opening outdoor season feast originally feasting tribe initiated lithia park miss oregon thenstate senator mark hatfield attending city portland approached osf late joining art scene leading building new center portland osf approached producing new portland center performing art leading launch november season five play including shaw heartbreak house shakespeare pericles prince tyre first four production transferred ashland invitation city portland osf established resident theatre portland center performing art became independent portland center stage six season ran november–april allowing many osf company member work city – portland imported rotating repertory osf company actor performing role osf received president volunteer action award initiated daedalus fundraiser help victim hivaids continued annually ever since second theatre indoor angus bowmer theatre see opened enabling osf expand season spring fall within year attendance tripled festival filling seat offering performance eight play season festival opened third theatre dubbed black swan see originally auto dealership attendance reached year bowmer died festival offering customary play season osf first tony award outstanding achievement regional theatre national governor association award distinguished service art first ever performing art organization oregon shakespearean festival renamed oregon shakespeare festival osfcommissioned magic fire presented john f kennedy center named time among year best play thomas theatre see replaced black swan venue intimate experimental production black box theatre time named osf second best regional theatre united state chicago goodman theater first festival opened season february performance midsummer night dream peter starcatcher copper child angus bowmer theatre bring house twopart adaptation shakespeare’s henry vi play presented thomas theatre however march covid pandemic forced closing osf rest season pandemic seeming moderate shakespeare festival announced april december schedule live performance follows island angus bowmer theatre unseen thomas theatre learned learned angus bowmer theatre tempest allen elizabethan theatre revenge song allen elizabethan theatre king john angus bowmer theatre confederate thomas theatre it’s christmas carol angus bowmer theatre addition osf presented cymbeline project multiepisode digital adaptation shakespeare play april osf announced emergency fundraising campaign company financial crisis needed raise million continue season planned june fundraising effort exceeded goal artistic director nataki garrett resigned may octavio solis stepping help search replacement tim bond theatreworks silicon valley named new artistic director july complete record osf play found separate article production history oregon shakespeare festival addition play since free outdoor green show drawing audience hundred often including nonplaygoers precedes evening play june september wednesday saturday night modular steel stage sprung floor dancer removable wheelchair ramp performer disability builtin storage facility eliminate carting equipment distant storage facility originally offered elizabethan music dancer consisted three renaissancethemed show rotation inspired play showing allen elizabethan theatre beginning live music supplied resident ensemble terra nova consort numerous guest musician elizabethan dancer terra nova joined modern dance troupe dance kaleidoscope collaboration continued still another innovation bill rauch green show revamped show vary widely performer dance group mexico india one night clown ballet stilt next classical music quartet another fire show juggler magician might seen along improv metal rocknroll variation shakespeare individual performer group choir band orchestra may present afrocuban baroque blue classical contemporary cowboy funk gospel hiphop jazz mariachi marimba poetry marionette renaissance salsa sometimes combined unexpected way suggested table osf major economic impact town impact stem direct sale ticket also expenditure restaurant variety density per resident similar new york paris hotel motel ashland shop second last row table turn create economic activity economists’ “multiplier effect” measure often dollar spent local good service estimated osf resulting figure shown bottom row table difference year year largely accounted variation seating configuration theater total number performance including occasional cancellation outdoor performance due wind born smoke distant forest fire particularly addition economic importance region osf active community member often participates ashlands martin luther king celebration juneteenth celebration emancipation proclamation fourth july parade green show free daedalus project managed company member since support hivaids charitable organization traditionally featured morning fun run afternoon play reading art treasure sale evening variety show underwear parade festival hosted fifth biennial national asian american theater conference festival addition full slate conference session week event included six original play five play reading three green show see participant also opportunity see several regular festival performance two asian setting one asianamerican theme oregon shakespeare festival occupies acre campus adjacent lithia park plaza ashland oregon primary building three theatre carpenter hall camp pioneer administration building surrounding open central court locally known brick tie everything together architecturally coherent whole facilitates movement also provides stage nightly green show see june september black swan g serf laboratory development new play offcampus building include production facility classroom hay patton rehearsal center costume storage rental facility described allen elizabethan theatre evolved since founding oregon shakespeare festival first performance twelfth night presented july original elizabethan theatre design first outdoor osf elizabethan theatre sketched angus l bowmer based recollection production university washington acted student ashland oregon obtained wpa fund build within foot circular wall remained roofless shell abandoned chautauqua theatre bowmer extended wall reduce stage width fiftyfive foot painted extension resemble halftimbered building designed thrust stage—one projecting toward audience—with balcony two column helped divide main stage forestage middle stage inner stage area illustrating improvised nature actor doubled stage hand stage lighting housed coffee can string bean planted along wall improve sound quality fiftycent general admission seating bench behind onedollar reserved seating folding chair theatre torn world war ii second elizabethan theatre second outdoor elizabethan theatre built plan drawn university washington drama professor john conway main stage became trapezoidal entry added either side window added flanking balcony stage low railing gave finished appearance forestage chair arranged improve sight line replaced bench seating backstage area added gradually haphazardly ramshackle result ordered torn fire hazard current allen elizabethan theatre next year saw opening current outdoor theatre whose name changed elizabethan allen elizabethan theatre october patterned london fortune theatre designed richard l hay incorporated stage dimension mentioned fortune contract trapezoidal stage retained façade extended three story resulting forestage middle stage inner inner old balcony musician gallery wing provided secondstory window provides acting area creating many staging possibility pitched shingled roof enhances halftimbered façade windowed gable extended center roof cover define middle stage performance actor open gable window keeping elizabethan tradition signaling play progress run flag pole sound trumpet doffs cap audience result approximate replica fortune theatre known incomplete dimension apply stage original specification sometimes say built like globe plan detail remotely operated lighting scaffolding either side stage course exist original current site rather original architecture largely determined shape auditorium twelve hundred seat slightly offset arc ascend original hillside giving excellent view stage seat old chautauqua theatre wall ivycovered remain outer perimeter theatre million paul allen pavilion added house control room audience service including rental infrared hearing device blanket pillow food drink allowed auditorium several hundred seat moved balcony two box improving sightlines acoustic vomitoria colloquially voms traditional name entryway actor seating area added lighting scaffold eliminated april report bureau business economic research university oregon pointed lost economic opportunity represented thousand people oregon shakespeare festival turning away year noted festival become important economic engine southern oregon recommended addition indoor theatre led city ashland apply economic development administration department commerce fall project grant angus bowmer theatre keystone plan also called parking building remodeled administration building box office scene shop exhibit hall later would become osf black swan landscaping street realignment approved april match equal amount raised private donation fund drive quickly exceeded goal ground new theatre broken december theatre ready five month later opened production rosencrantz guildenstern dead selected recognize shakespearean origin festival signal festival readiness broaden horizon incorporating modern play repertoire reinforcing signal fantasticks cant take also presented first sixweek season angus bowmer theatre seat patron depending configuration although half size outdoor theatre doubled audience capacity making possible hold matinee performance extend season spring fall design richard l hay architect kirk wallace mckinley seattle contractor robert morrow inc salem oregon basic flexible functional innovative seat within foot stage arranged two side aisle wide space row dark color resist reflection draw eye stage forestage hydraulic lift system emulate thrust stage osf allen elizabethan theatre form conventional proscenium front move auditorium floor level form orchestra pit drop two story storage equipment scenery wall auditorium swing close playing area open accommodate larger production illustrating characteristic first picture set august wilson fence second taken two hour later stage set ancient hindu classic clay cart stage crew two indoor theatre must complete set change scope six day week end matinee call evening curtain next morning time matinee outdoor stage change daily illustrates nature true repertory theater allows playgoer see different play day stage requires designing making set withstand constant rapid assembly disassembly return accessible storage await next change set also requires actor able simultaneously play different part different play two hour june matinee crack discovered seventyfoot long six onehalf foot high main ceiling support beam bowmer theatre show immediately relocated venue work progressed repair beam seat tent bowmer park soon erected lithia park adjacent festival campus temporary replacement venue single set designed built serve four different show show restaged keeping artistic vision intact possible thirtyone performance held tent averaged capacity generating approximately revenue approximately tent lost revenue ticket return repair cost bowmer reopened august month ahead initial estimate festival filed insurance claim million received check march cover cost repair million covering much lost revenue leaving primarily representing cost temporary tent theatre unresolved black swan g osf campus map served festival third theatre building originally automobile dealership bought scene shop rehearsal hall company member began using stage midnight reading one another invited friend brought friend artistic director jerry turner recognized opportunity take risk unconventional staging subject called development third osf theatre fitting theatre existing building challenging could hold seat within five row stage designer richard hay put certain amount tucking squeezing director solve problem immovable roof support middle stage instance one production became crucifix adding horizontal piece theatre reverted earlier role replaced new theatre renamed thomas theatre among role rehearsal space meeting audition room class since home black swan lab see limitation stemming adapting existing building black swan led design building third theatre provided flexible seating increased capacity maintaining intimacy black swan opened march originally named new theatre renamed thomas theatre result generous million gift group donor name recognizes contribution longtime osf development director peter thomas died march thomas theatre expands possibility experiment innovation maintaining intimacy black swan seat six row stage richard l hay designed theatre space architect thomas hacker associate portland designed building contractor emerick construction acoustical engineering provided dohn associate seat arranged three configuration arena mode stage square foot surrounded four side seat threequarter thrust mode square foot stage surrounded three side seat avenue mode square foot stage provides seat two side trap room stage fly loft one end computer control circuit light various type remainder building given downstairs upstairs lobby concession access distribution archive see storage laundry room green room quiet room warmup room dressing space actor showersrestrooms costume wig room stage manager office maintenance space storage prop set piece box office j osf campus map courtyard thomas theatre festival acquired administration building c april forming northern boundary campus building house artistic business community production development education group sale literary human resource office development mailroom adjacent camp building house member lounge communication marketing office meeting room festival costume production shop occupies pioneer building northwest corner campus annex administration building staff creates costume accessory three main studio lower floor building extension administration building also area office fitting room costume designer costume design assistant costume prop area vented paint room upstairs dye room lounge laundry storage room office height costume production season wig shop additional studio open basement angus bowmer theatre festival acquired carpenter hall october renovating accommodate lecture concert rehearsal meeting festival community event bill patton garden k provides venue free informal summer noon talk osf actor staff tudor guild operated tudor guild gift shop b brass rubbing center k many year operated osf facilitate campus tour beginning campus purposeequipped fitness center help actor stay fit physically demanding role often require acrobatics fight pratfall november festival completed million purposebuilt square foot production building neighboring talent oregon home multifunction staff building house customdesigned technologically advanced set prop construction scene painting facility scene shop extensive pit area precisely duplicate trap door theatre allowing precise sizing testing assembly disassembly automating elevator cue lighting painting area duplicate theatre guaranteeing desired color building also house osfs costume warehouse rental business costume costume prop armor crown wig available rent theatre television movie producer corporation removal scene construction shop new production building thirteenmonth transformation began old one haypatton rehearsal center demolishing everything except masonry exterior steel framework raising second floor three foot following plan developed ogden roemer wilkerson architecture carried adroit construction cost million hosted first rehearsal december building equipped sophisticated sound system six rehearsal hall three squarefoot sufficient precisely duplicate stage three festival theatre six include fully sprung floor prevent injury dancing rehearsing stage combat similar physical activity led lighting system zoned dimmable ceiling steel track allow suspension scenery light loudspeaker even people additional feature small conversation area dancestyle mirror building also includes stage management office recording studio movement studio focused feldenkrais method studio work vocal technique stamen dialect loading dock conference room shower two warmup space double small meeting room two green room equipped refrigerator storage case sink dishwasher table custommade prop shop chair osf nonprofit corporation managed u oregon law member board director nominated elected eightyear term endowment net worth excess million return million support annual operating budget managed seven trustee selected fiveyear term board director past osf offered nonvoting membership eleven level beginning privilege starting replaced change maker donor program eight category starting one dollar providing deep engagement extend access many people possible ticket price reduced range paid staff organized artistic production education administrative development section artistic director selects play director season chooses actor musician dancer august nataki garrett succeeded bill rauch sixth artistic director oregon shakespeare festival earned mfa directing california institute art year experience theatre administrator director producer playwright educator activist mentor recently acting artistic director denver center performing art associate dean undergraduate acting program california institute art school theater forté passion fostering developing new work produced mainstage black box developmental project including world premiere book two degree zoes perfect wedding great leap american mariachi directed world premiere pussy valley u premiere jefferson garden blks first effort new position directed imaginatively staged oregon shakespeare production catch creation osf reorganized artistic staff three associate artistic director director artistic programming director new work director innovation strategy voice text director assigned every play preproduction opening performance help actor director craft vocal choice theatrically effective sustainable run show involve work posture breath support resonant placement muscularity articulation screaming technique also work actor text play often oneonone session include examination meter rhythm sound patterning alliteration rhyme imagery rhetorical structure device antithesis repetition required coach actor accent dialect based sample native speaker work actor find sound authentic possible character background also intelligible contemporary theatrical context conducive actor’s individual style play opened voice text staff hand help actor vocal challenge may arise attend periodic performance provide helpful idea work understudy teach voluntary voice class acting company provide ongoing professional development support form project individual session work participate play selection workshop upcoming season play also assigned intimacy director work ensure actor feel emotionally mentally safe performing intimate emotionally demanding scene also working realize director’s vision production staff report director production responsible costume lighting property scenery sound stage operation costume produced staff artisan cutter designer dyer first hand hair wig specialist stitcher technician wardrobe manager scenery provided staff technician carpenter welder engineer buyer moved crew stagehand lighting staff number twelve sound property managed staff six ten stage management crew approximately including production stage manager assistant stage manager production assistant ensure smooth operation three theatre deck manager coordinate green show reflecting profession festival founder angus bowmer professor english southern oregon normal school southern oregon university education played important role oregon shakespeare festival inception education department’s goal inspire lifelong relationship theatre work shakespeare offering educational experience support season play diverse range student teacher audience thus festival provides broad range educational program people age interest initial focus college student leading founding institute renaissance study meet need offering included short course lecture reading concert exhibit focused play season participation open festival company member audience either college credit several university audit coursework supported collection renaissance latemedieval book manuscript print housed southern oregon university hannon library program specifically teacher included fiveday retreat shakespeare classroom emphasizes innovative pedagogical method help teacher make work shakespeare involving accessible contemporary student completion indoor angus bowmer theatre subsequent expansion festival season school year enabled increasing variety educational program middle high school student student visiting festival recipient discounted ticket year workshop offered year osf actorteachers enhance educational value visit bowmer project student playgoer initiated prepares local teacher teach play includes ticket performance backstage tour postshow discussion one actor osf offered residential summer seminar high school junior enroll student twoweek program see several play learn onstage technique theatre management unable come festival pair actor participate school visit program initiated reach student primarily four state although made occasional visit eight others oneday visit includes two minute performance one twohour two onehour workshop performance condensed version one shakespeare play selected scene shakespeare illustrating single theme combination shakespeare literature selected meet need school visited partnership ashland high school initiated student actor grew rich enduring relationship student festival professional produced significant number actor theatre professional year program different length formality meet varied adult need interest included wake shakespeare shakespeare comprehensive festival noon preface prologue park talk road scholar unfolding seminar osfs development department also educational opportunity tour included two england focused shakespeare one greece turkey holland america line m rotterdam focused beginning history theatre one along coast france spain canary island cunard line queen mary tour feature intensive schedule lecture interactive workshop four eight osf staff actor well visit local attraction administrative staff supervised acting executive director david schmitz follows past executive director paul christy – cynthia rider – paul nicholson – william patton – administration supervises physical plant custodial service maintenance security accounting mail room receptionist director marketing communication supervises box office membership service archive see publication medium marketing audience service includes house manager usher concession access staff handicapped patron see director development supervises institutional giving major gift change maker donor program director human resource manages employee volunteer event program see safety professional development program called fair fellowship assistantships internship residency provides student aspiring career theatre direct experience best practice across aspect professional theatre fellow work directly senior management expanding personal network three residency varying four eleven month exclusive dramaturgy literary management department twentyfive thirty assistantships annually provide handson opportunity virtually every area organization pairing recipient appropriate osf staff member average three month finally – annual unpaid internship two four month provide emerging artist administrator handson experience pairing festival staff member area interest internship may fulfill academic requirement determined recipient home academic institution festival access service offer wide range program service patron disability website several annual osf publication including complimentary playbill provided playgoer presale planning guide teacher first guide group sale guide pocket guide season schedule play general accommodation include wheelchair stairfree transfer companion seating service dog allowed theatre public space theatre include elevator genderspecific genderfree accessible restroom blind visually impaired patron festival audio describers provide carefully timed live narration onstage action show every performance every play except preview requested purchasing ticket two week advance braille large print audio playbill available production deaf hearingimpaired patron assistive listening device available theatre request performance caption service allow patron follow script tablet performance except preview ordered ticket two week performance finally information american sign language interpreted performance scheduled available season box office website similar accommodation available requested wide range ancillary event enrich osf experience backstage tour preface prologue park talk accessible parking available nearby osf archivist develop preserve maintain comprehensive collection document oral history drawing photograph audio video recording artifact pertaining artistic administrative history heritage oregon shakespeare festival collecting organizing preserving material otherwise ephemeral art form archival standard ongoing effort aided part grant archive may searched online collection available research although collection restriction permission must obtained use archive include education department record document department programming structural evolution print material include annual report brochure calendar correspondence course handout course reading news clipping newsletter photograph poster script statistic survey report study guide teacher information kit guide resource kit audio video recording include radio broadcast school visit program performance may national endowment humanity awarded festival grant digitize deteriorating tape film video make publicly available website youtube platform collection span history festival inception comprises unparalleled comprehensive record shakespearean theatrical performance single u theatre company included fulllength recording festival production including three varied interpretation every play shakespearean canon exemplary cast live audience production recording supplemented adaptation broadcast nbc radio hour artist interview shakespeare lecture nationally internationally renowned scholar educator production music promotional recording recording significant event company history also included home movie founder angus bowmer southern oregon normal school event rare footage initial festival season professional staff augmented approximately volunteer contribute thousand hour year helped patron roving brick ambassador welcomed visitor campus answered question staffed welcome center green show information table facilitated informal postmatinee discussion provided concierge service visiting student group served volunteer usher ticket taker three theatre behind scene volunteer help archive box office costume shop costume warehouse development office fitness center light shop mail room marketing office scene shop well office task copying filing preparing mailing sorting incoming mail transcribe interview help actor audition visitor theatre serve attendant company fitness facility volunteer assist access service providing infrared hearing device help data collection periodic audience survey staff numerous event comprise annual daedalus fund raiser see drive company vehicle specific errand direct traffic dismantling movement set storage end season soroptimists club member provide comfort item blanket cushion poncho outdoor theatre tudor guild volunteer staff brass rubbing center theatre lobby merchandise counter gift shop housing aide deliver “welcome baskets” visiting artist ashland garden club member provide floral arrangement annual feast celebration opening weekend allen elizabethan theatre november company member host cocktail party show titled love labor thanking celebrating volunteer availability small inexpensive computing platform led compact powerful battery allows special effect built prop costume scenery lighting atmospherics sound rainstorm even motorized movement programmed device controlled actor remotely wifi bluetooth device allow wireless communication control console effect example led built dress remotely illuminated color changed live onstage costume head heel wiz winter tale recent example wireless control lantern candle firefly effect built prop scenery also utilize embedded electronics playgoer offered complimentary playbill synopsis play cast artist biography director statement year festival publishes teacher first school group group travel adult providing information season play including age suitability seasonal calendar ordering discount information annual souvenir program included photographic highlight play special article along picture biography actor playwright many people work behind scene chart emphasizing repertory nature osf list actor part play festival also publishes bard scorecard simple folder list william shakespeare play year osf produced allows playgoer check play theyve seen towards completing canon osf constituent theatre communication group national service organization notforprofit theatre world member shakespeare theatre association america operates contract actor equity association union professional actor stage manager united state international alliance theatrical stage employee stage director choreographer society inc independent national labor union production history oregon shakespeare festival oregon shakespeare festival oregon encyclopedia oregon shakespeare festival official website including production history oregon shakespeare festival archived wayback machine documentary produced oregon public broadcasting oregon shakespeare festival internet broadway database