Planning a trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is an immersive journey into world-class theatre, vibrant culture, and the stunning natural beauty of Ashland, Oregon. The 2025 season promises another year of captivating performances, from Shakespearean classics to modern masterpieces, offering unique experiences for every theatre lover. Securing your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets is your first step into this magical world, and planning ahead is key to experiencing the shows you most want to see.
Located in the charming town of Ashland, OSF is one of the oldest and largest professional regional theatres in the United States. Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025, the festival is renowned for its high production values, innovative interpretations, and diverse repertoire. Attending OSF is more than just seeing a play; it’s about exploring the town, dining at local restaurants, and immersing yourself in a community passionate about the arts.
The 2025 season unfolds across OSF’s three distinctive theaters: the intimate Thomas Theatre, the traditional proscenium Angus Bowmer Theatre, and the iconic outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Each venue offers a different perspective and atmosphere, enhancing the diverse range of plays presented throughout the season. Understanding the schedule and venues is crucial when selecting your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Let’s take a closer look at the exciting lineup for the 2025 season, which features a mix of beloved classics and compelling new works. From timeless tragedies and witty comedies by the Bard to contemporary plays that challenge and entertain, there’s something to spark everyone’s interest.
The 2025 Oregon Shakespeare Festival Season Highlights
The season kicks off with several highly anticipated productions running through the spring and summer, with some extending into the fall. Planning your visit around the specific dates and theaters is essential for purchasing the correct Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Julius Caesar
By William Shakespeare | Directed by Rosa Joshi | Produced in association with upstart crow collective | March 7 – October 26, 2025 | Angus Bowmer Theatre
“The evil that men do lives after them.” Shakespeare’s tense political thriller returns. Julius Caesar comes back to Rome victorious, but his rise to power sparks fear among Brutus and Cassius, who plot his assassination to protect the republic from dictatorship.
This production, directed by Associate Artistic Director Rosa Joshi, features a dynamic all-female and nonbinary cast from upstart crow collective. Their physical storytelling style promises a fresh, illuminating take on ancient themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal, making it a compelling choice for your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde | Directed by Desdemona Chiang | March 8 – October 25, 2025 | Angus Bowmer Theatre
A comedy of (hardly any) manners, Oscar Wilde’s classic is transported by director Desdemona Chiang to the British Malay Peninsula. This colonial setting blends South Asian, Chinese, and English cultures, providing a unique backdrop for the story of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff.
These two young men attempt to escape Victorian social expectations through elaborate deceptions, leading to a witty whirlwind of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements. This production, revealing the absurd lengths people go for acceptance and love, is sure to be a highlight and worth considering when getting your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
August Wilson’s Jitney
Directed by Tim Bond | March 9 – July 20, 2025 | Angus Bowmer Theatre
A ride of redemption and resilience, August Wilson’s Jitney is set in 1977 Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Black men run an unlicensed taxi service because licensed cabs refuse service. The business faces a city shutdown threat, and owner Jim Becker’s estranged son returns from prison.
This powerful drama, directed by OSF’s Artistic Director Tim Bond, reveals potent secrets and tests the bonds holding the characters together. Filled with Wilson’s signature poetry and humor, Jitney is a celebration of community, family, and resilience, offering a deeply moving experience if you choose to add it to your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Shane
By Karen Zacarías | Adapted from the novel by Jack Schaefer | Directed by Blake Robison | July 31 – October 25, 2025 | Angus Bowmer Theatre | West Coast Premiere
Fun Things to Do in Kissimmee Florida
Where To Go In Waikiki – Your Ultimate Guide to Hawaii’s Iconic Beachfront
The Best Things to Do in Naples – Your Ultimate Italian Experience
What makes a good man? Shane, a classic Western novel adapted for the stage by Karen Zacarías, explores this question amidst ranch wars and the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Unlike typical Westerns, this adaptation retains the moral center seen through the eyes of a young boy.
Zacarías’s culturally authentic adaptation expands the view to the real Wyoming of 1889, challenging conventional notions of the American West, its people, and its myths. As a West Coast Premiere, securing Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets for Shane offers a chance to see a brand-new adaptation of a beloved story.
Fat Ham
By James Ijames | Directed by Elizabeth Carter | March 11 – June 27, 2025 | Thomas Theatre
A Southern-fried take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, James Ijames’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham is a sizzling cookout comedy. The story follows Juicy, a queer Black protagonist in the South, whose father’s ghost demands revenge for his murder.
Juicy grapples with the choice between fulfilling this spectral request and staying true to himself. Directed by Elizabeth Carter, this hilariously funny and poignant play offers a fresh, modern perspective on a classic tale, making it a highly sought-after option for your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
As You Like It
By William Shakespeare | Directed by Lisa Peterson | April 16 – October 25, 2025 | Thomas Theatre
Love will find a way in Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, As You Like It. Rosalind and her cousin Celia escape an oppressive court for the freedom of the Forest of Arden. Disguised as a man, Rosalind encounters her love, Orlando, who doesn’t recognize her.
The forest setting allows for mistaken identities, romantic entanglements among shepherds, and the formation of a found family among exiles. Directed by Lisa Peterson, this song-filled, 1960s-infused production brings magic and self-discovery to the intimate Thomas Theatre, promising a delightful addition to your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Quixote Nuevo
By Octavio Solis | Directed by Lisa Portes | July 9 – October 24, 2025 | Thomas Theatre
A classic epic comes alive with a modern comic twist in Octavio Solis’s Quixote Nuevo. Set in the fictional border town of La Plancha, Texas, a brilliant professor battling dementia imagines himself as Don Quixote.
With a friend enlisted as his Sancho, he embarks on a quest to find his lost love, tilting at border patrol drones and uncovering truths about his past. This adaptation infuses Tejano culture and vibrant music, creating a magical retelling that celebrates life, love, and courage, a wonderful choice for those seeking unique stories with their Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare | Directed by Terri McMahon | May 30 – October 12, 2025 | Allen Elizabethan Theatre
[
Promotional image for Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor at the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre in 2025.
The town that tricks together sticks together! Sir John Falstaff, Prince Hal’s companion, finds himself in the middle-class town of Windsor, short on funds. He plots to woo two wealthy married women but instead becomes the target of their witty trickery.
This domestic comedy is filled with mistaken identities, comedic schemes, and vibrant community life, featuring food, dancing, and plenty of humor. Directed by longtime company member Terri McMahon, this production in the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre promises a joyful, dance-filled spectacle, a perfect fit for a summer evening and your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Into the Woods
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by James Lapine | Directed and Music Directed by Amanda Dehnert | Choreographed by Ellenore Scott | May 31 – October 11, 2025 | Allen Elizabethan Theatre
Be careful what you wish for! Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s smash-hit musical Into the Woods brings together classic fairy tale characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and a baker and his wife on a journey into a magical, bewildering forest.
In the woods, wishes come true, but often at a price, as familiar stories tangle and twist. Directed by Amanda Dehnert, this production, a return engagement after a successful run in 2014, features Sondheim’s eminently singable score and brings hilarity, menace, and irrepressible energy to the outdoor theatre under the stars, a must-have for many getting their Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
How to Purchase Your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets
Securing your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets is a straightforward process, primarily handled through the official OSF website. Visiting the website allows you to view the full calendar, check showtimes, select your desired plays and dates, and choose your seating preferences.
Tickets can typically be purchased as single tickets for individual performances or as part of ticket packages or season passes, which may offer discounts or priority seating. Prices vary depending on the play, the day of the week, the time of the performance, and the seating location. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for popular shows, weekend performances, and seats in preferred sections.
Keep an eye on the OSF website for announcements regarding when tickets for the 2025 season go on sale. Members often receive early access, providing an advantage in securing tickets for high-demand dates or plays. Don’t wait too long, as prime dates and seats can sell out quickly.
When buying your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets online, you’ll navigate an interactive seating chart to select your seats. You can usually choose to receive your tickets electronically or have them held at Will Call. The website also provides details on accessibility seating options.
Planning Your Complete OSF Experience in Ashland
Attending the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is an opportunity to explore the charming town of Ashland. Beyond the theaters, Ashland offers a variety of attractions and activities that complement your theatregoing experience.
From browsing unique shops and art galleries to enjoying strolls in Lithia Park, the town provides a relaxing backdrop for your cultural immersion. Ashland is also known for its diverse culinary scene, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and wine bars offering everything from casual bites to fine dining.
Consider arriving a day or two before your first show to explore Ashland at a leisurely pace. Many visitors stay in local hotels, B&Bs, or vacation rentals, so booking accommodation well in advance is also advised, especially during the peak summer months when demand for Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets and lodging is highest.
Tips for attending include checking the weather forecast, especially for outdoor performances in the Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Layered clothing is often a good idea, as evenings in Ashland can be cool. Arriving early for performances allows time to find your seats, read the program, or even enjoy pre-show talks or activities that OSF sometimes offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets
Here are some common questions people ask when planning their visit and purchasing tickets for OSF.
- When do Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets for the 2025 season go on sale?
Ticket on-sale dates vary, but typically, tickets become available in phases, with members often getting early access before the general public. Check the official OSF website for the most up-to-date information on 2025 sales dates. - Can I buy Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets on the day of the show?
While sometimes possible, especially for less popular shows or during less busy times, buying tickets on the day of the performance is risky, particularly for sought-after productions and weekend dates. It’s highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance online or through the box office to guarantee your seats. - Are there different types of Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets available?
Yes, OSF typically offers single tickets for individual shows, as well as various ticket packages or season passes. Packages can provide savings and flexibility if you plan to see multiple shows. Details on packages for the 2025 season will be available on the OSF website. - What is the best time to visit OSF?
The season runs from March through October. Summer (June-August) is popular due to the outdoor theatre being in full swing and generally warm weather. Spring and Fall offer beautiful scenery in Ashland, potentially fewer crowds, and can be ideal for indoor performances. Your preference might depend on whether you prioritize seeing a specific play or experiencing the outdoor theatre. - What happens if there is bad weather for an outdoor performance?
OSF has specific policies regarding weather cancellations for shows in the Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Cancellations are rare and usually only occur in extreme weather. Check the OSF website for their official weather policy when purchasing your outdoor Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets.
Conclusion
The 2025 season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival promises a rich tapestry of theatrical experiences, celebrating classic storytelling and vibrant new voices. Securing your Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets is your gateway to witnessing these incredible productions and immersing yourself in the unique cultural atmosphere of Ashland. Whether you’re drawn to Shakespearean tragedy, witty comedy, thought-provoking drama, or a beloved musical, planning your trip and purchasing your tickets in advance will ensure you have the best possible experience at this renowned festival.