S is for...Shakespeare Festival
Today we move closer to the end of our A-Z Blogging Challenge and encounter the letter S. There are a lot of things in Oregon that could qualify for this letter, but I'm going with something that spreads a little culture to everyone... Shakespeare Festival The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is renowned and awesome. The festival takes place in Ashland, Oregon in the southern part of the state. Originally conceived in 1893 as part of the Chautauqua adult education movement, the theater could accommodate up to 1500 spectators in an outdoor arena. Soon, a domed stage was built on the site. When the stage fell into disrepair, the Chautauqua movement faded away in Ashland. However, in 1935 a drama professor, Angus Bowmer, at the Southern Oregon Normal School (today's Southern Oregon University ) wished to use the location to present Shakespearean plays. He was given limited funds ($400) to put on two plays as part of the city's Independ...