A Feast for the Senses: Ashland and the Art of Theater

Program Registration: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Lecture topics vary according to schedules and availability at the time of the program. Possible topics include costume design, stage management, Shakespearean language and literary history, the life of an actor, or sound design and engineering. Most mornings will begin with two (2) lectures. Our second morning class — Theatre Reflections — will be taught by an Oregon Shakespeare Festival actor, who will meet with us daily to provide context for the theater experience and performances we’ll attend, lead review discussions, and introduce us to more theater professionals. This program includes tickets to three Oregon Shakespeare Festival performances. If you would like to attend additional Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows on your own, we recommend advance reservations. Call OSF’s box office directly at (800) 219-8161. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

In our private dining room at the hotel.

We'll close the evening with an illuminating lecture by a local theatre expert that will expand on the program theme.

In the hotel’s Palm Room, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with items including pastries, cereal, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and yogurt plus milk, juice, organic coffee, tea, water.

We'll set out on foot and make our way to the Thomas Theatre where we'll meet an OSF company member. From there, we'll enjoy an informative “walk and talk” created by OSF especially for Road Scholar. We’ll explore OSF’s three theatres: the indoor Angus Bowmer and Thomas theatres, and the outdoor Elizabethan theatre. We'll have a chance to engage with the hands-on exhibits of props, costumes, scenic design and more.

At a local restaurant.

Next, we’ll board our private motorcoach and travel to Oregon’s oldest grape-growing region. We’ll stop at a local winery to explore. As we walk among the vineyards, we’ll learn from winery staff about how the unique terrain of the Rogue Valley produces the conditions for a wide range of popular grape varietals. We’ll conclude with a wine tasting. After our tasting, we will board the motorcoach and return to the hotel where a local theatre expert will give an illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme. We’ll have independent time to explore the city before dinner.

At a local favorite restaurant.

Returning to our hotel meeting room, a local theatre expert will provide an illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme.

Hotel buffet.

In our hotel meeting room, a local theatre expert will provide an illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme. We’ll continue the conversation and catch any announcements from our Group Leader during a brief break. We’ll resume with our Theatre Reflections class. Our OSF instructor will lead an in-depth discussion of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival plays. Today, we’ll also hear from a special guest.

In one of Ashland’s popular meeting spots, we’ll have a boxed lunch.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If you would like to attend other Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows on your own, we recommend advance reservations. Call OSF’s box office directly at (800)-219-8161.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We will meet in the hotel lobby to board the motorcoach and drive to the OSF theatres where we will see an evening performance. NOTE: Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number.

Hotel buffet.

Back in our meeting room, we’ll learn more about theater from company members, instructors from Southern Oregon University, or visiting and local experts. Subjects vary according to schedules and availability at the time of the program. We’ll have a brief mid-morning break then resume with our Theatre Reflections class. Our OSF instructor will lead another in-depth discussion of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival plays. Today, we’ll also hear from a special guest.

At a local restaurant.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If you would like to attend other Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows on your own, we recommend advance reservations. Call OSF’s box office directly at (800)-219-8161.

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We will meet in the hotel lobby to board the motorcoach and drive to the OSF theatres where we will see an evening performance. NOTE: Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number.

Hotel buffet.

Back in our meeting room, we’ll learn more about theater from company members, instructors from Southern Oregon University, or visiting and local experts. Subjects vary according to schedules and availability at the time of the program. We’ll have a brief mid-morning break then resume with our Theatre Reflections class. Our OSF instructor will lead another illuminating lecture that will expand on the program theme. Today, we’ll also hear from a special guest.

At a local restaurant.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If you would like to attend other Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows on your own, we recommend advance reservations. Call OSF’s box office directly at (800)-219-8161.

At a local restaurant.

We will meet in the hotel lobby to board the motorcoach and drive to the OSF theatres where we will see an evening performance. NOTE: Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll gather for our final Theatre Reflections class to review the week's performances and meet another special guest. Our OSF actor instructor will also provide a glimpse of the festival’s upcoming season. Before we head home, we’ll share our favorite moments from the program with our instructor, Group Leader, and each other. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!