OSF 2022 Season Brochure

A N E W S E A S O N AWA K E N S

osfashland.org

Welcome from Nataki Garrett, Artistic Director I hope you are thrilled as I am to kick off our 2022 season—my first full season since joining as OSF’s Artistic Director in April 2019. It has been an extremely challenging time for OSF and theatres across the country—but our community is resilient. As we continue to rebuild and reimagine the possibilities, we are opening an expansive repertory season full of exciting, timely work and classics beautifully interpreted through a 21st-century lens. Here’s what’s in store this season: eight on-stage plays and musicals, from classic Shakespeare to works by some of today’s most exciting playwrights. I am also thrilled to debut an expansion into digital projects that explore the future of theatrical storytelling.

Many of our longtime supporters will recognize what they have long loved about OSF, the unparalleled artistry and magic that emanates from this historical theatre. But there will be new things as well. On the fourth weekend of every month, OSF will, for the first time, offer live American Sign Language translation plus audio describing services, closed captioning, and audio augmentation.

We have also strengthened our commitment to centering BIPOC stories and artists, more equitable and sustainable theatre-making practices, and a simplified ticket pricing structure. Why? Because the power and magic of theatre is something that everyone should have access to.

We are creating art that will enable us to reach a wider audience, engaging more minds and touching more hearts in a way that only artists and theatre can. I look forward to welcoming artists and audiences of all backgrounds to be a part of this triumphant moment with us.

Nataki Garrett Artistic Director

Cover: Head Over Heels (2015), Michele Mais. Photo by Jenny Graham.

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osfashland.org

“Returning to OSF year after year is like returning home. I am always welcomed. My soul is fed. OSF has become part of my life.”

— Joaquin Lopez, Arts & Culture Manager, Latino Network (Portland, OR)

As You Like It (2019), Jessica Ko. Photo by Jenny Graham.

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2022 Season at a glance 222 I hop

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Once on This Island

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Angus Bowmer Thea

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Thomas Theatre

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August Wilson’s

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How I Learned What I Learned

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Angus Bowmer Theatre

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Fannie (2021), E. Faye Butler. Photo by Jenny Graham.

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Allen Eliz

AUGUST

A Musical atre

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

october 30

Tempest

october 15

abethan Theatre

enge Song owboys Creation

zabethan Theatre

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october 14

King John

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Angus Bowmer Theatre

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Confederates

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Thomas Theatre

It’s Christmas, Carol!

late nov–late dec Angus Bowmer Theatre

The Cymbeline Project october O! Digital Stage

Quills Fest november 4–5 O! Digital Stage

For a printable calendar of show dates and times, go to osfashland.org/calendar2022.

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What we

LOVE

about this show

• Award-winning director Lili-Anne Brown celebrates the traditions and culture of Haiti as has never been done for a production of this beloved musical.

• You will be astounded by this moving story of community brought to life by a sensationally talented all-Black cast from all over the country, including Broadway.

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the plays of 2022

Once on This Island A Musical

Book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Music by Stephen Flaherty Based Upon the Novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy Directed by Lili-Anne Brown Once on a golden and verdant Caribbean island, a baby girl is rescued from a disastrous storm by four gods—Asaka, Mother of the Earth; Agwé, god of Water; Erzulie, goddess of Love; and Papa Ge, demon of Death. So starts the myth told in this breathtaking story of Black joy and sorrow, the aftermath of colonization and isolation, and the triumph of love against all forces. Told with Caribbean rhythms and instruments, this Tony Award–winning musical is a testament that a beautiful story simply told has the power to inspire and heal all.

April 12 – October 30 Angus Bowmer Theatre osfashland.org /island

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the plays of 2022

unseen

By Mona Mansour Directed by Evren Odcikin West Coast Premiere Mia, an American conflict photographer, wakes up at the site of a massacre in Syria, not sure how she got there. With her Turkish girlfriend Derya and her Californian mother Jane, Mia must slowly piece together the details of her past to find out what happened.

Mansour’s beautifully human and surprisingly humorous play asks what it would mean for our souls—personally and as a nation—if we were to see the impact of our actions.

April 12 – July 31 Thomas Theatre

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What we

LOVE

about this show

• Whiting Award-winning Mona Mansour and OSF’s Director of Artistic Programming Evren Odcikin build on their decades-long artistic partnership to bring a new work that lives in the in-between gray spaces of our us-against-them present.

• If you crave nuanced and powerful performances by amazingly skillful actors, you will be moved by this production.

osfashland.org /unseen

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What we

LOVE

about this show

• This human-sized portrait of an artistic genius charms as it reveals the unexpected experiences that made Wilson into the great playwright and poet he became.

• Stage and screen star Steven Anthony Jones, hand-selected by the Wilson estate to perform this autobiographical solo show, brings a muscular and impactful performance.

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osfashland.org /learned

the plays of 2022

August Wilson’s

How I Learned What I Learned Co-Conceived by Todd Kreidler Directed by Tim Bond Originally performed by August Wilson himself, How I Learned What I Learned is a heartfelt theatrical memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity, and what it means to be a Black artist in America. Helmed by celebrated Wilson director Tim Bond, this beautiful solo work brings Wilson’s necessary voice and gorgeous poetry back to OSF.

May 3 – July 30 Angus Bowmer Theatre

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the plays of 2022

The Tempest

By William Shakespeare Directed by Nicholas C. Avila For 12 years, banished Prospero has been living on a mystical island and using magic to subjugate its Indigenous inhabitants.

With vengeance weighing heavily on his mind, he conjures a storm to bring ashore a passing ship carrying his enemies, who find themselves at the mercy of his supernatural machinations. Nicholas Avila’s imaginative production explores the good, the bad, and the gray areas of human nature.

June 1 – October 15 opening night: june 15

June 1 – October 15 Allen Elizabethan Theatre Allen Elizabethan Theatre

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the plays of 2022

What we

LOVE

about this show

• At last, The Tempest is back after years of delay! There couldn’t be a more fitting metaphor for our time than this story of finding forgiveness and peace after a lifechanging storm and being lost at sea.

* This production boasts a masterful cast of Shakespearean actors led by Nicholas C. Avila, a formidable director and lover of Shakespeare interpreting these works for our modern day.

osfashland.org /tempest

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What we

LOVE

about this show

• Superstar writer Qui Nguyen’s queer vision of this historical narrative with comic book–inspired sword fighting and an eclectic musical score ranging from punk rock to R&B is simply THE BEST! • Inspired by a true-life story, this new play centers on an unexpected hero bucking gender norms in a unique, expansive, ambitious, and naughty Vampire Cowboys production.

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osfashland.org /revengesong

the plays of 2022

Revenge Song

A Vampire Cowboys Creation

By Qui Nguyen Music by Shane Rettig Lyrics by Qui Nguyen and Robert Ross Parker

Directed by Robert Ross Parker Buckle up for a musical story about Julie d’Aubigny—a queer 17th-century rulebreaking, swordfighting, opera-singing transgressor of boundaries. It’ll be loud, it’ll be rowdy, and it’ll be hilarious! Qui Nguyen (OSF’s Vietgone and Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon) sets this irreverent take on French history somewhere between the realms of superheroes and comic books and asks what it means to bust through your role into who you truly are.

June22–– October October 1414 June opening night: june 16 Allen Elizabethan Theatre

Allen Elizabethan Theatre 15

the plays of 2022

King John

By William Shakespeare Directed by Rosa Joshi Presented in association with upstart crow collective “Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!”

A corrupt monarch faces an unruly court and fights to hold onto the crown at all costs through political intrigue and warmongering. Under Rosa Joshi’s muscular and visionary direction, King John features twelve female and non-gender-binary performers speaking directly to our current fractured political moment and bringing new meaning to Shakespeare’s powerful play about power itself.

August 17 – October 29

August 17day: – October 29 opening august 28 Angus bowmer Theatre Angus Bowmer Theatre

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the plays of 2022

Pictured: Kate Wisniewski.

What we

LOVE

about this show

• Premier Shakespeare interpreter Rosa Joshi (OSF’s Henry V, As You Like It, and Bring Down the House) directs this rarely performed play with her signature physical style and deep textual analysis.

• Co-produced by Seattle’s beloved upstart crow collective, this powerful production casts women and non-genderbinary performers, bringing the invisible political machinations of gender into full view.

osfashland.org /kingjohn

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What we

LOVE

about this show

• OSF’s Artistic Director Nataki Garrett directing the brilliant words of MacArthur Award–winning Dominique Morisseau—do we need another reason? These leading artists of our time bring to this production their lived experiences to shine light on where we’ve come from and where we need to go.

• Co-commissioned with Penumbra Theatre, this conversationprovoking new play spotlights the unnamed revolutionaries leading the way to liberation against all odds.

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osfashland.org /confederates

the plays of 2022

Confederates

By Dominique Morisseau Directed by Nataki Garrett An American Revolutions Commission West Coast Premiere An enslaved woman turned Union spy and a brilliant professor in a modern-day private university are facing similar struggles, though they live over a century apart. This play by MacArthur Genius Award winner Dominique Morisseau leaps through time to trace the identities of these two brilliant Black women and explore the reins that racial and gender bias still hold on American systems today.

August 23 – October 29

August 23day: – October 29 opening august 27 Thomas Theatre Thomas Theatre 19

the plays of 2022

It’s Christmas, Carol!

A play with lots of songs by Mark Bedard, Brent Hinkley, and John Tufts Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh

Returning for the 2022 holiday season!

On Christmas Eve, three ghosts take miserly businesswoman Carol Scroogenhouse through time and space to reckon with how she’s abandoned humanity for hollow capitalism.

Whisked to a Shakespearean theatre, a prehistoric holiday celebration, and a Zombie future, will Carol find her soul with the help of these apparitions? Carol! was such a hit in 2021—thanks to its hilarious songs from the twisted minds of your favorite OSF clowns— that we’re bringing it back for another fun, uplifting, music-filled romp through the holidays.

Late November – Late December Angus bowmer Theatre 20

What we

LOVE

about this show

• Carol’s irreverent combination of holiday cheer, broad humor, and hilarious musical parodies was a huge hit in 2021, so this year, it’s back!

• Bedard, Hinkley, and Tufts (OSF favorites with their past productions of Marx Brothers classics Animal Crackers and The Cocoanuts) will unleash their unique brand of mayhem once again!

osfashland.org /itschristmascarol2022

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The Cymbeline Project

By William Shakespeare Conceived by OSF Artistic Director Nataki Garrett Created by OSF Associate Artistic Director & Director of Innovation and Strategy Scarlett Kim

The Cymbeline Project brings to life in a 10-episode transmedia series Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, a rarely performed “problem play” that explores timeless themes of power and agency through a uniquely layered narrative.

Premiere on October 1 Available on-demand O! Digital Stage

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osfashland.org /thecymbelineproject

O! digital stage productions

The Cymbeline Project interweaves theatrical performance filmed from actors’ homes across the country with striking visuals and interactive technology, creating a hybrid collage experience that is partly theatre and partly film.

Pictured: Caro Zeller, Jessica Ko, Shyla Lefner.

What we

LOVE

about this show

• Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s most collage-like play, lends

itself exceptionally well to this interactive digital series where each episode is rendered through a unique medium, including: Virtual Reality film, animated graphic novel, puppet show, and even a choose-yourown-adventure game!

• During this time of isolation, this project has been a

life-affirming experience for artists across 8 U.S. states who came together in a virtual rehearsal studio to create something completely new to the world.

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Quills Fest A 2-day Immersive Digital Festival

Returning for the 2022 season!

Quills Fest is an annual festival at the intersection of Live Theatre and Extended Reality, engaging artists and audiences around the world on the web, in Virtual Reality, and in person. Exhibitions, performances, and discussions feature the most adventurous voices in performance and immersive technology. Connect with artists pioneering cutting-edge possibilities in storytelling, and join a new generation of audiences!

November 4 – 5 O! Digital Stage

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osfashland.org /quillsfest

O! digital stage productions

Pictured: O-DOGG: An Angeleno Take on Othello, a world-premiere VR commission featured at Quills Fest 2021

What we

LOVE

Pictured: O-DOGG: An Angeleno Take on Othello, featured at Quills Fest 2021

about this show

• Attending Quills Fest means immersing yourself in art that defies categorization and imagines the future of storytelling.

• Get ready for a bespoke Virtual Reality platform OSF is building for Quills Fest 2022 that will make VR more accessible and fun than ever, whether you access it through your smartphone, on your laptop, or in person in one of our pop-up hubs!

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SUPPORT OSF From the live performances on our stages, to our digital programs that reach audiences around the globe, to our education and engagement work—your support is the foundation for it all! Contact development@osfashland.org to learn more.

• Make a gift. Become a Change Maker!

By donating to our annual fund and becoming a Change Maker, you will enjoy special opportunities—both digitally and in person—to experience illuminating behind-the-scenes stories, sneak previews of work in progress, and inspiring conversations with brilliant artists. Find out more at osfashland.org/changemakers.

• Plan your Legacy.

Step forward with OSF into a joyful and art-filled future by including OSF in your legacy planning. Your wills, trusts, and gifts of real estate help ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience all the powerful storytelling that OSF has to offer.

• Be a sustainer.

Make a gift to our endowment and secure the future of our organization through economic upheaval and challenges we can’t predict. It’s an investment in the community and the theatre you love.

• Invest with your business.

Enhance awareness and visibility of your brand while demonstrating a commitment to the community and the arts through our corporate giving programs.

• Make an introduction!

Do you know someone who would be inspired by OSF’s work in powerful classics, new work, and digital innovation? We are always looking to connect with those who are excited about expanding access to the transformational power of art.

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We thank ALL our generous donors for their incredible generosity and commitment to advancing the mission of OSF in our community and the world.

For an updated list of our supporters, please visit osfashland.org.

How to Catch Creation (2019): Nubia Monks.

Photo by Jenny Graham.

osfashland.org /changemakers

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a day at the festival OSF is a world-class cultural

destination offering cutting-edge live and digital theatre, thought-provoking conversations, speakers, free pre-show entertainment, tours, and so much more.

Green Show |

June 1 – October 1

Wednesday through Saturday Enjoy a wonderful variety of free preshow entertainment on OSF’s celebrated Courtyard Stage!

All ages welcome. Watch osfashland.org/greenshow for our monthly schedule.

Prefaces |

All season

An in-depth introduction to the play you’ll be seeing that day. $10.

Discussions |

All season Get an insider’s look into an OSF production by attending one of these popular discussions led by an OSF company member. This season we offer free PostShow Discussions—free to all—as well as morning Group Discussions to our visiting groups.

Campus Tours |

Starting in June

OSF Gift Shop |

Opening this summer

Discover the show behind the shows on a fun, informative walking tour hosted by the Tudor Guild. $15. Watch osfashland.org/tours for schedule.

Come see our brand-new gift shop at the corner of Main Street and Pioneer, plus pop-up events in the spring!

For dates and tickets, see osfashland.org 28 28

osfashland.org

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Actor Tyrone Wilson leads a Post-Show Discussion. Photo by Katy Bentz.

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accessibility We’re excited to announce that this season, we’re expanding Accessibility programs to include new ASL+ Weekends starting on the fourth Friday of every month, April through October.

For select shows during ASL+ Weekends, we’ll offer live American Sign Language translation, plus audio describing services (detailed narration via headphones), closed captioning (written transcription on a tablet), and audio augmentation (increased volume amplification via listening devices).

Dates and showtimes: Visit osfashland.org/access.

(As always, we will try to accommodate requests for audio describing and closed captioning on other dates, and audio augmentation devices are always available at the Access booth.)

More Accessibility Services Visit osfashland.org/access for updated information on:

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation

Captioned performances

Audio Augmentation/ Assistive Listening Devices

Audio Description Braille and Large-Print Playbills

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Mobility Considerations

osfashland.org /access

A patron using a sidewalk ramp on the OSF campus. Photo by Kim Budd.

Sign interpreters rehearsing Much Ado about Nothing. Photo by Jenny Graham.

Molly Kingsley Holzshu interpreting a lecture by actor Danforth Comins.

Photo by Jenny Graham.

Questions? Requests?

Phone: (541) 625-2601 Email: accessforall@osfashland.org

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Prices— all theatres

Zone 1

Zone 2

Economy

$55

$35

Standard

$65

$45

Premium

$75

$55

Economy: some matinees and midweek evenings.

Premium: some Friday and weekend performances.

We’ve lowered ticket prices so you can see more shows!

This way, you’ll have an easier experience buying tickets, plus the prices you see today will be the same throughout the year—so no need to wait for that lastminute deal you’re afraid to miss out on.

Learn more about our game-changing, access-focused, new pricing structure and à la carte ticketing options at osfashland.org/2022ticketchanges.

We love groups!

For special pricing and offerings, visit osfashland.org/groups.

Covid Safety

As Covid regulations fluctuate, our in-theatre safety guidelines and rules around concession sales may also change.

Find out before you go by visiting osfashland.org/safety.

Covid safety has affected every aspect of OSF this season. Here is the cast and creative team of Once on This Island in rehearsal, February 2022.

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osfashland.org

Order online for best experience!

To buy tickets day or night, go to osfashland.org.

To contact the Box Office: Email: boxoffice@osfashland.org Phone: (800) 219-8161 For Box Office phone hours, visit osfashland.org/boxoffice.

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Destiny of Desire (2018) in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Photo by Kim Budd.

Destiny of Desire (2018): Ensemble.

Photo

by Kim Budd.

Allen Eliabethan Theatre. Photo by Kim Budd.

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Immerse Yourself in Ashland OSF lives beside outstanding natural beauty, stimulating culture, incredible food and wine, full-sensory shopping experiences, and more, all in this modern mountain town.

There’s so much to explore here in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley.

Photo by Kim Budd

Make your plans today. travelashland.com osfashland.org/plan-your-visit

Photo by Kim Budd

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Whether you’re visiting for a week or just

an afternoon, you’ll find an exhilarating mix of activities, performances, and outdoor beauty to take in.

administrative off ices

ticket sales

Online: osfashland.org Box Office: (800) 219-8161 541-482-8045 fax boxoffice@osfashland.org Group Sales (Mon–Fri): (866) 545-6337 (844) 847-8135 fax

Street Address: 15 S. Pioneer Street Ashland, Oregon Mailing Address: P.O. Box 158 Ashland, OR 97520 (541) 482-2111

OSF 2022 season and play images designed by Michael Collin.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a public charity as outlined in section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. .

Photo by Julie Cortez Photo by Julie Cortez

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Plan your Ashland adventure today!

osfashland.org

Vietgone (2016): James Ryen, Will Dao. Photo by Jenny Graham