OSF Spring Festival Noons Schedule Announced

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has unveiled its Spring Festival Noons schedule, with a wide range of events that includes "Death Becomes Him," a festive commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's passing on April 23, as well as a live demonstration of scenic painting techniques on March 26 and a two-day kickoff on May 14-15 for this year's Living Ideas series, centered around the world premiere of Lisa Loomer's Roe-.

Hosted by Resident Dramaturg Lydia G. Garcia and Artistic Associate Dawn Monique Williams, April 23's event "Death Becomes Him" will feature Shakespeare games and trivia, activity booths and anniversary cake. Special guests will join the hosts to discuss Shakespeare's relevance in 2016.

On Saturday, March 26, OSF Charge Scenic Artist Gabriel Barrera presents "Wait, Is That Real?", where he'll share his scenic painting techniques on display in this season's productions of Twelfth Night, The Yeomen of the Guard and The River Bride.

The weekend of May 14-15 inaugurates the second year of OSF's Living Ideas: Art and Community Dialogue series. "Living Ideas" is designed to explore the local impacts of global issues and forges connections between individuals and communities through collaborative programming centered on topics inspired by the works on the Festival's stages.

In 2016, "Living Ideas" will focus on the world premiere of Lisa Loomer's Roe with a series of events that frame the landmark Roe v. Wade court case through the lens of history (May 14-15), agency (July 15-16) and advocacy (August 19-20). The schedule for May 14-15 includes:

Saturday, May 14

"What if Roe v. Wade were argued today?" Join us for a round-table conversation with legal scholars Barbara Allen Babcock (Stanford University Law-Emerita) and Stuart Chinn (University of Oregon Law Professor), moderated by Oregon Court of Appeals Honorable Judge Darleen Ortega. Tickets $12; members $10; youths 6-17, $8. In Carpenter Hall 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m

Sunday, May 15

"We the People - The Effect of Constitutional Law and Precedent on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Engage in discussion with legal scholars and a multi-disciplinary group of professionals as we explore the workings and original intentions of the constitution. How does case law, states' rights, and political agenda determine the rule of law and ultimately how we exist in daily life? Free Ticketed Event - Carpenter Hall 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.osfashland.org/livingideas.

Other opportunities to connect more deeply with OSF artists and their work via Festival Noons include:

March 12: Lecture: "The Art of Merriment: The Yeomen of the Guard and Other Fantastical Adventures" with Resident Dramaturg Lydia G. Garcia (dramaturg, The Yeomen of the Guard)

March 19: Conversation: "Fantasy, Magic and Folklore: The River Bride and the Art of Storytelling" with actors Carlo Albán, Armando McClain, Nancy Rodriguez, Jamie Ann Romero and Vilma Silva.

April 2: Conversation: "Twelfth Night, Vision to Stage: A Director and Designer Talk Process" with Christopher Liam Moore (director of Twelfth Night) and Christopher Acebo (OSF Associate Artistic Director, scenic designer for Twelfth Night).

On selected Saturdays, the Festival's Education department will continue its popular Preface Plus series with 45-minute in-depth introductions to the world of a play. On March 5, April 9 and May 7, the Preface Plus will be for Great Expectations. On April 16 and 30, the topic will be Qui Nguyen's Vietgone.

Tickets for Festival Noon events are $12 for adults, $10 for OSF members, and $8 for youth ages 6-17. Visit osfashland.org, call (800) 219-8161 or stop by the OSF box office at 15 S. Pioneer Street in Ashland to purchase tickets.

Founded by Angus Bowmer in 1935 and winner of a 1983 Tony Award for outstanding achievement in regional theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents an eight-month season of 11 plays that include works by Shakespeare as well as a mix of classics, musicals, and new works. The Festival also draws attendance of more than 400,000 to almost 800 performances every year and employs approximately 575 theatre professionals. In 2008, OSF launched American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle, a 10-year cycle of commissioning new plays that has already resulted in several OSF commissions finding success nationwide.