The Oregon Shakespeare Festival was established back in 1935 and is now recognized as one of the oldest and largest professional repertory theatre companies in the nation.  It all started when a young school teacher named Angus Bowmer proposed the city of Ashland with the unique idea of putting on two Shakespeare plays for the town’s Fourth of July celebration. 

SOUNDBITE EDDIE WALLACE:  IN ORDER TO GET THE FUNDING FROM THE CITY TO PRODUCE THOSE PLAYS, HE ALSO HAD TO AGREE TO PRODUCE BOXING MATCHES AS WELL.  AND IT PROVED TO BE A VICTORY FOR SHAKESPEARE THAT DAY BECAUSE THE SHAKESPEARE WAS MUCH MORE POPULAR THAN THE BOXING MATCHES WERE.

As the popularity of the Festival continued to grow, a backstage tour was added for Shakespeare fans wanting to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of these elaborate productions.  Between a morning backstage tour and evening play, you may want to explore the welcoming city of Ashland.  Although a small community of just under 25,000, Ashland is full of quaint shops, galleries and packed with some of the region’s finest dining.