Bring on the Bard

With scandalous tales of love, betrayal, romance, tragedy and wicked social commentary, William Shakespeare’s plays are just as relevant as when they were written almost 500 years ago. Other literary classics, too, shine on stage as performed by the world-class Oregon Shakespeare Festival theater company, an Oregon tradition since 1935.

Running March through November each year in Ashland, each season brings 11 plays, shown on three stages. With a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, the nonprofit-led company also creates the space to become fully engaged in the festival through classes, talks and immersive discussions at their Festival Noons or Living Ideas events. Fans can also take advantage of backstage tours to learn more about the history of the festival and the intricacies of operating a repertory theatre. The festival also includes sign-interpreted weekends, with ASL interpreters provided for special performances.

This year is acclaimed OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch‘s final season at the helm, with an exciting lineup of classics and new plays, including Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” “Hairspray,” “Macbeth,” “Alice in Wonderland,” Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well” and a bilingual translation of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors.”