Shakespeare’s view of life’s later years included the belief that increased age refined the benefits of learning, wisdom and friends.
That aspect of the bard’s view of life is part of the total cultural experience offered by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.
During an eight-month season, one of the nation’s oldest and largest professional theater companies, presents a dozen plays plus adult education courses, discussions and lectures through the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Institute.
Participants can explore the plays of Shakespeare, classic dramatists and contemporary playwrights during the season.
“The classes of the OSF Institute are designed to hold the attention of lifelong theater lovers, new playgoers, students and teachers,” says Amy Richard, a spokeswoman for the festival. “Some explore a single play in depth, others take a look at most of the repertory.”
The Ashland theater complex is home to the oldest existing full-scale Elizabethan stage in the Western Hemisphere, and the smaller Angus Bowmer and Black Swan theaters.
There also are “value season” tickets available for 25 percent off the regular price.
More than just “words, words, words,” Ashland also is the home of superb restaurants and shopping that can be enjoyed after a challenging day in class.
Although the 2001 season ends Oct. 28, plays begin again in February, with “Julius Caesar” and “Macbeth” in repertory during the winter season. Non-Shakespeare plays include Robert Sherwood’s “Idiot’s Delight,” Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” and Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Some of the institute’s offerings have included.
*”Wake Up With Shakespeare,” a popular discussion class that focuses on the Shakespearean productions of the season. Participants spend mornings in classes and discussions, attend seven plays and two “Festival Noons” lectures and go on a backstage tour. Six weeklong sessions are held during the festival season. Cost for 2001 was $475 a person.
*”Oregon Shakespeare Festival Roundtable,” a class that not only focuses on the Shakespearean productions of the current season, but also includes discussions of some of the contemporary plays. The cost for 2001 was $340 per person for each session, but theatergoers could see nine plays in both sessions for $740 per person.
* “Festival Noons Lecture Series,” take place in historic Carpenter Hall near the theater complex at noon on selected Saturdays and Fridays. Festival actors, directors, scholars and theater artists share thoughts about the plays and performance. Ticket prices range from $5 to $7 per person.
*”Park Talks,” are free to the public and held at various locations around the festival grounds. Each is an informal hour of questions and answers with a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival company.
*”Prefaces To…” Enjoy 30 minutes of preparation for three of Shakespeare’s plays and one contemporary drama. Tickets were $4 per person.
*Elderhostel is an educational opportunity for older adults offered by Southern Oregon University. The festival provides the faculty for this program.
*The Center for Shakespeare Studies, a part of the university, offers both seasonal and year-round programs for older adults interested in Shakespeare, his plays, theater and Elizabethan history. Contact the center for program information at (541) 552-6904 or go online to www.sou.edu/Shakespeare.