Oregon Shakespeare Festival Presents Twelfth Night

OSF's production of Twelfth Night, directed by Dawn Monique Williams, is a fresh take on Shakespeare's beloved comedy of mistaken identity and unrequited love. The play follows the story of Viola, who, after being shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, disguises herself as a man and enters the service of the Duke Orsino. As Viola navigates the complexities of love and desire in the Duke's court, she finds herself at the center of a web of romantic entanglements and comic misunderstandings. Dawn Monique Williams, an inclusion activist and leader in the theatre world, brings her unique vision to this production of Twelfth Night. In her words, "equitable representation is foundational. Diversity of stories, experiences, expressions, is mission critical. The creative imagination is vast but it must be encouraged." Williams is dedicated to dismantling the notion of "precious western classics" being reserved for an elite few and creating a space for all voices to be heard. This production of Twelfth Night is a celebration of the full range of human experience and identity, where all bodies and voices are welcome and valued for their particular human complexities. It is a must-see for audiences looking for an edgy and entertaining take on Shakespeare's timeless comedy.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a regional repertory theatre in Ashland, Oregon, United States, founded in 1935 by Angus L. Bowmer. The Festival now offers matinee and evening performances of a wide range of classic and contemporary plays not limited to Shakespeare.