With the warm weather approaching, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival season has opened. Here is a brief look at this much-celebrated west coast phenomenon–a great place to visit.
Last month we enjoyed a visit to the festival. It occurs in Ashland, in southern Oregon. Many folks from the Bay Area ritualistically attend the festival every season, but this was our first time. We had so much fun and were astounded with the outstanding performance.
The town of Ashland is small, population 21,000, and it is evident from the first drive through that the entire town is dedicated to the Shakespeare Festival.
Throughout the town, streets and restaurants are named after Shakespeare characters or the theater.
The festival takes place in the middle of Ashland on a 4-acre campus, surrounded by restaurants and shops catering to theatre-going patrons as well as local residents.
Founded in 1935 by Angus Bowmer, the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the oldest and largest professional non-profit theatres in the country. It has grown from one original Elizabethan theater, America’s first…to today’s three theaters offering Shakespeare and non-Shakespearean plays.
This remarkable bas-relief sculpture, shown below, is entitled “Street Scene.” It is a 14-foot-high bronze sculpture located downtown on East Main Street and depicts more than a dozen Shakespearean characters. Created by sculptor Marion L. Young, it is also lit up at night.
Each season, from March through October, this rotating repertory theater company performs ten different plays in the outdoor and indoor theaters.
The main performance this year is Shakespeare’s tragedy MacBeth, directed by Evren Odcikin. It started in mid-March and will be performed every week until mid-October.
We had the supreme honor of watching this world-class production.
These are the three witches, below, courtesy Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Double, double toil and trouble….
There is a plaza downtown, too, where local markets, residents and visitors gather. We ventured here early in the morning to do some birding in the nearby park.
The theatre festivities and downtown plaza are within walking distance to Lithia Park, a 93-acre park in a forested canyon along Ashland Creek.
We spotted a male western tanager in breeding here, bright yellow with a flaming red head. Chickadees and other songbirds joined us, and mallards and pond turtles occupied the ponds.
Lithia Park also features an inviting Japanese Garden.
They were in their spring when we visited, so the dogwood trees and rhododendrons were gloriously in full bloom.
There is a mellow, welcoming feel to Ashland with its gentle landscapes in town, and majestic mountains on the outskirts.
Dramatic performances and sweet street scenes, enhanced by forested walks through Lithia Park–it’s a wonderful way to spend an easy, pleasant time in Oregon.
Written by Jet Eliot.
Photos by Athena Alexander.
More info:
Oregon Shakespeare Festival Wikipedia
Oregon Shakespeare Festival official site for tickets and info
Jet Eliot 
Fun time. It looks like Ashland is a peaceful place.
Yes, Ashland is a peaceful place. It’s a college town, so there was activity, but everyone seems so mellow. Thanks, Tim, great to “see” you today. Full moon time, I’ll be heading over to see what you’ve been up to with the sky lately.
I wanted to that when my kids were teens and we were reading Shakespeare. Neither had the time or interest then with sports, music, part-time work, and school. Of the two my son might want to do this now. It looks and sounds amazing and a perfect blending of the art of Shakespeare and nature.
Yes, it is a good blend of art and nature in Ashland. And for you or your son, here’s a little hint. If Shakespeare is a bit intimidating, like he can be, the “No Fear Shakespeare” books are great with the side-by-side versions of old and current English. My warmest thanks and cheers to you, Deborah.
LOL! Great minds! The No-Fear Shakespeare books are what I started my kids on with Shakespeare. I still have them. Soon it will be #1 Grandson’s turn to be introduced to Shakespeare. 😊 My children’s/adolescent book collection is greater than my adult one.
🙂
A town dedicated to Shakespeare! If I ever venture out that way, I would definitely stop there. Thank you for such a wonderful introduction to it.
I am happy you enjoyed the Ashland OR visit today, Hien. I know you would like it there, and on top of Shakespeare and nature walks, the flowering rhododendrons and dogwoods at this time of year are astoundingly beautiful. Thanks so much.
Wow, Jet! I love this cute town! and it’s wonderful nature trails nearby. I would visit if it wasn’t so far north. Have a great weekend, guys.
Thanks, John, I’m really glad you stopped by.
You’re welcome! ☺️
We love going to OSF- you’ve inspired me to go back, Jet. Terrific overview along with the nature trail. Glad you enjoyed Macbeth!
I am oh so glad to know that you’re a fan of OSF, Jane, and happy that you liked the overview. If you go back this season, be sure to check out MacBeth. It was outstanding. Always a joy to “see” you, thanks for your visit today.
We almost moved there. Great photos. Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Cindy. I’m sure you’re happy you moved instead to The Holler, but it’s a great place to visit, as I’m sure you know.
I’m glad you guys had a fun trip! We’ve only been there in the fall when it was hot and dry! But we had a good time and I loved that park.
The springtime was wonderful in Ashland, Jan, and every stream was abundantly flowing with water. Mountaintops were snowy, however, and the mtn trails were closed due to ice and snow. Lovely to hear from you, as always.
Beautiful garden, and what a great idea to have a Shakespearean Festival there. I remember that Ashland was one of the last stops before going up through the Siskiyous on our way south. A place to wait out the winter weather.
Yes, the winters in Ashland are far milder than yours up in BC, Anneli. It’s a beautiful and mild place. Thank you, Anneli, a pleasure to see you.
Have a great weekend, Jet.
This theatre is fabulous, Jet. I love all the shots of the location..Ashland. It’s gorgeous.
Oh, the costumes for the Three Witches are amazing. I love this post. Thank you!!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Three Witches costumes, Resa, given your professional expertise in clothing design. I, too, thought it was very innovative, especially those cool masks that covered their faces. The Costume Designer for this production was Melissa Torchia. I’m happy you enjoyed the Shakespeare Festival, Resa, and it’s great to see you today, thank you.
The costumes are terrific!
Great to see you too, Jet! Have a wonderful long weekend!
Took me home, Jet. We lived 45 minutes away in the Upper Applegate Valley and often made the journey to Ashland. A lovely, civilized town. Thanks for the reminder.
This is a lovely place in the world, and your word “civilized” describes it well. How wonderful that you raised your family there, I remember photos. Cheers, Curt, and many thanks.
Actually, we retired there, Jet. It was a beautiful 12 years.
Admittedly, not a Shakespeare fan, not so much on his works, rather his follower’s actions when led to some horrible decisions on invasive bird species into the US. I do like the three witches – would look great on our haunted trail. I also really like that bronze statue – very well done. Kudos on the Western Tanager – that family has some very ornate members, but the Western is by far my favorite. Enjoyed the read, take care.
Hi Brian, I’m happy you enjoyed the quick overview of Ashland. And I agree with you on the beauty of the western tanager, and oh how special this time of year is when the male has that bright red head. Great to see you, Brian, thank you.
That looks like a great getaway and a wonderful event.
Your words sum it up well, Craig. My warmest thanks for your visit and words today.
Looks like a nice town that has found itself a fine niche.
Alas, I’ve always struggled to understand Elizabethan English, so much of the dialogue is lost on me! 🤨
Yes, the Elizabethan English is a struggle, I agree, Eliza. Fortunately there are books now, No Fear Shakespeare, that offer side-by-side versions of the Elizabethan and today’s English. I’m glad you enjoyed this vicarious visit to Ashland today, thank you, Eliza.
Thanks for the tip, I will look for it!
I’m surprised to learn that Shakespeare has enough of a following in the US to sustain an event like this. Even here in the land of the bard’s birth, although his works are studied by many at school, they are quickly put aside thereafter because – I suppose – they are regarded as too difficult or too obscure for modern day, Netflix-savvy audiences to cope with. Well done, Ashland, for sticking with Shakespeare!
I sure enjoyed your comment, Platypus Man, thank you. Ashland has done a great job of sustaining the Shakespeare Festival, and it is amazing in this day and age.
This looks wonderful in every way…I love Shakespearean productions…and know that i would enjoy this…I will pass the word onto my son and daughter. Thank you Jet:) X
Thank you, Janet. Yes, you would like this a lot, the town and its festivities are a salute to artists of all kinds. Big smiles and hugs to you across the pond….
Thank you dear Jet. Sending love XX
Thanks for sharing this lovely town and theatrical activities!
What a pleasure it is to share the beauties of Ashland with you, Val. Thanks for your visit and interest.
you gotta luv Bill what a play writer. I always watch for Tanger s and only seen a couple, I would say you guys are lucky, but you are both really good at spotting and identifying birds.
Aloha Bill! Yes, tanagers are difficult to spot. Knowing their vocal call helps immensely, because then you know they’re present, you just have to find them. For the western tanager the sound coming from the treetops is “pre-dit.” It is always a pleasure to have you stop by, Bill, thank you.
Thank for your interesting write on this theatre town, Jet. What a privilege to watch the Shakespearan production of Macbeth. All that culture, flora and fauna, such beautiful surroundings! Magnificent photos of the park, and lovely landscapes… l’ve truly enjoyed the visit to Ashland, Oregon, with you Jet and Athena!
This is a pleasant theatre town and I am so glad you enjoyed my overview of it, Iris. Your kind words and attentive reading are much appreciated.
My pleasure, Jet. Delightful reading indeed.
The play’s the thing! (Or, to play’s the thing, as the bard never said…)
What a fabulous town, and you’ve shared so many reasons to visit. I love Oregon, the parts we’ve visited over the years, and if we’re ever out that way again, here’s a new place to explore – thanks, Jet!
Yes, definitely a great new place for you and Mrs. PC to visit in OR, pc. Wonderful to see you today, thanks so much for your visit.
It sounds like a delightful scene… both the theatres and the park! Thanks for sharing.
The Ashland Shakespeare Festival scene is a big draw, and a joy to share with you, Nan. Thank you so much.
We’ve made many a trip there over the years. I almost envy you discovering it for the first time. It may be worth pointing out that not all the plays presented are written by Shakespeare. We like to see at least three plays when we make the trip – the town is nice but the play’s the thing.
And Lithia Park is lovely.
Yes, I did write that there are Shakespeare and non-Shakespearean plays at the festival, which I think is a great way to expand the productions and audiences, too. Thanks Dave.