Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Ashland, Oregon
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is thespian's dream in Ashland, Oregon. The festival annually produces eleven plays on three stages during a season that lasts from February through October.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is an old tradition. Since 1935, it has staged Shakespeare's complete canon three times. Since 2000, there has been a new work staged from playwrights such as Octavio Solis and Robert Schenkkan. The festival traces its roots to the Chautauqua movement of the late 1800s. In 1893, the citizens of Ashland built a facility that hosted its first performance, and the building was expanded in 1905 to host 10 day annual theater festivals. Over time, the festival has grown in size and reputability. Every year the festival presents 750-800 performances to audiences of almost 400,000 members, each of whom receive a Playbill containing the details and highlights of the performances. The theater company is a non-profit organization and consists of about 325 full-time and 175 part-time personnel supported by some 600 volunteers. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival itself is a non-profit organization.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival takes place on several theaters, mainly the Elizabethan Stage, the New Theaters, and the Angus Bowmer Theater. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival also provides several educational programs for students and professionals. There is also a free outdoor "Green Show," which takes place in the central court known as "The Bricks." Participants can furthermore enjoy live music by classical bands, and a modern dance performance.
Nearby to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival there are many great restaurants where you can take a relaxing break from the festivities. For breakfast, stop by Brother's Restaurant and Delicatessen for an omelet, or come in later in the day for a fresh deli sandwich. Locals love Larks, which features "farm to table" fare, and Omar's Fresh Fish and Steaks, offering the best fish and steaks in Ashland for several years. Another fun eatery is the Standing Stone Brewing Company, which is just one block away from the festival.
If you plan on spending a few days at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, you can lodge at one of the many cozy, Oregon-style hotels and inns. At A Cowslip's Belle B&B, you will be treated with chocolate, cookies, and a big breakfast. At Albion Inn, you will enjoy the tranquil farmhouse setting, and Anne Hathaway's B&B and Garden Suites is known for its decorative art and antiques. If you are looking for something luxurious, go to Jacksonville Inn and Restaurant, where President George W. Bush once stayed overnight. If you are on a budget, you can stay at the Ashland Hostel, which is only 3 blocks away from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Ashland is located 350 miles north of San Francisco and 285 miles south of Portland, along the Rogue River valley at the foot of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. Within Ashland, you can travel around by public bus, bicycle, or on foot, as many of Ashland's attractions are within walking distance from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. However, if you are a true thespian, you won't want to leave the festival grounds to miss a performance!