The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, or OSF, has grown from humble roots to startling success. Since 1935, the theater has been performing some of the greatest plays ever written. Whether a casual theater-goer or a theater aficionado, no one can deny that the actors of the OSF are some of the most talented in the country. The 2016 season opens on April 26th and runs through early October. 

So, are you interested in Fun Facts? Oregon? Shakespeare? The beautiful writing on this beautiful blog? If so, then, read on!

Photo Credit: Pacific Repertory Theatre (The Taming of the Shrew)

• Featuring plays from Shakespeare (including Twelfth Night and Hamlet) and other classical writers, to modern works—such as Roe and The Yeomen of the Guard—from contemporary playwrights, OSF has stayed with the times while paying due homage to the past.
• In 1958, the Elizabethan Stage was deemed to be in violation of multiple fire codes and was taken down. A new stage was built soon after, but, in 1992, the OSF created yet another performance theater . . . a $7.6M building called the Allen Pavilion!
• Speaking of money, the theater was originally funded by the city and was told to allow boxing matches on the stage to make up for sales of play tickets which officials believed would be unprofitable. Charging between 0.25 cents and a dollar, the theater ended up covering its expenses. They also made up for the loss of money due to the boxing matches.

So, check out the OSF calendar and buy tickets for your preferred plays, classes (Shakespeare Comprehensive anyone?), and events in advance, because even though the festival lasts for over six months, the OSF isn't getting any less popular!

 

Photo Credit: Pacific Repertory Theatre (The Taming of the Shrew)