Oregon
A Feast for the Senses: Ashland and the Art of Theater
Program No. 19886RJ
See More Photos
A Feast for the Senses: Ashland and the Art of Theater
A Feast for the Senses: Ashland and the Art of Theater
1 of 10
Participant Reviews
Based on 36 Reviews
SHOWING
I think I wrote review last September..
Program was excellent and Lisa was a top guide both caring and super competent.
Lectures were interesting and informative.
If I could make a change, I would drop the winery tour. More free time is better than inferior winery and lunch. Most people in our demographic have seen enough wineries, most of them more interesting than the local one which was a waste of time.
Ashland Hotel a block from theatres was wonderful for breakfast and atmosphere. However the two hotel meals dinner and lunch(special cheap menu) were horrid. Save the money from winery to upgrade to regular menus, please. (A couple of people ate at hotel on regular menu and found world of difference).
— Review left March 4, 2026
A great program! Interesting, informative and enjoyable to learn about the "behind the scenes" jobs and also to speak to the actors after seeing the plays. Definitely enhanced my appreciation of Shakespeare.
— Review left October 11, 2025
I loved this program. Our group leader and presenter were personable and well informed. The plays were wonderful!
— Review left October 10, 2025
Not just Shakespeare, but theater production came alive for me! I learned so much from presenters, the plays, and other participants. I plan to return to OSF at the first opportunity. Thank you, Road Scholar!
— Review left October 1, 2025
This is a great program if you want to learn about how theatre is made from those who make it, as well as seeing several plays (Shakespeare and other). This was my seventh time taking this program, and I plan to be back next year, because I always learn something new!
— Review left July 23, 2025
Wonderful experience from beginning to end.
— Review left July 18, 2025
This is an excellent program. I loved the vintage, botique hotel we stayed at and I gained so much knowledge about the workings of the theater of which I was previously unaware.
— Review left July 7, 2025
The Ashland Oregon Shakespeare trip was absolutely wonderful! All the details were carefully planned and met all my expectations!
Liisa was a great leader, organizer and delightful as our guide for all the events! She managed so many small details to keep the group satisfied at the hotel, meals, theater, excursions & more! She was always cheerful & ready to help. We had great theater seats at all three theaters.
The Ashland Springs Hotel was a perfect location! Thanks LIISA & Road Scholar! PKP
— Review left July 2, 2025
Terrific program with lots of interesting speakers; good balance of program and free time in a lovely town; very comfortable accommodations and a very congenial bunch of fellow travelers. I had so much fun!
— Review left June 20, 2025
This was a fantastic program. Extra special due to Liisa and Tyrone!
— Review left October 12, 2024
The program was not too physically challenging. It offers a joyful way to learn about Shakespeare and stage craft.
— Review left October 7, 2024
The program greatly enriched what I already knew about the material. My fellow participants had many interesting insights, as well.
— Review left October 1, 2024
I believe we all agreed that Liisa is an outstanding group leader, and we all appreciated her efforts.
— Review left September 20, 2024
This was a fabulous trip for Shakespeare and theater fans!
— Review left July 22, 2024
This program was great fun and some of the plays I attended were wonderful! Additionally, music groups were playing in many locations, which were free to attend.
— Review left June 25, 2024
The plays were excellent, and it was fantastic to talk with a main actor after each play! Overall a bit too much lecture for me, but several of the lectures were terrific. The hotel can't be beat -- it's comfortable and just steps away from the OSF theaters.
— Review left June 18, 2024
This is the sixth time I've done this program, and it keeps getting better. If you like theatre and want to learn more about it (as well as seeing some excellent plays and eating delicious meals), this program is for you!
— Review left June 16, 2024
Excellent program! Plays were outstanding, and insights into production and performances were very educational and enjoyable.
— Review left June 1, 2024
This is an outstanding program that is beautifully managed and extremely interesting and entertaining! If you enjoy the theater or are curious about it, don't miss this one.
— Review left October 10, 2023
Shakespeare in Ashland was a perfect match! The opportunity to see "behind the curtain" with interaction from actors, technicians, coaches, etc, laid the foundation for a richer theatre experience. Everyone who shared their stories with us added another layer to my learning about life in the theatre. The charming community was warm and welcoming and offered great shopping, dining and hiking. My fellow scholars were smart and engaging, and new friendships were forged.
— Review left October 7, 2023
Fantastic experience..Group Leaser was Exceptional !!
— Review left October 5, 2023
If you're interested in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, this is a great way to see and learn more than just the plays themselves.
— Review left October 2, 2023
I have a greater appreciation for what it take to produce a play, and expect to enjoy any play more in the future.
— Review left July 25, 2023
A great week of theater, focusing on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, but with a special production by the Rogue Theater Company. Some of us were able to see a performance of the Oregon Cabaret Company at their theater a block from the Ashland Springs Hotel.
Monday and Tuesday the Oregon Shakes is dark, so that's a day for cheese, chocolate, wine tasting; and the play by Rogue Theater at the Hotel, on Tuesday.
What makes this Road Scholar trip special are the lectures from the production managers, set designers, and actors! We met with Juliet from Romeo and Juliet; and Malvolio from Twelfth Night. The performances are great; and the lectures are a major bonus.
The Ashland Springs Hotel is a historical treasure.
— Review left July 13, 2023
If you are interested in experiencing theater (especially Shakespeare), this is a great program! Road Scholar brings in experts (so you will learn the influences on Shakespeare, as well as info on his language) and actors and some of the many others whose work makes OSF happen. Ashland is a beautiful place to experience this, and you get to stay in the middle of it all! Road Scholar does all the arranging for you, plus brings in experts to help you appreciate your experience.
— Review left June 24, 2023
Brush up your Shakespeare! This is the program for you. Behind the scenes look into productions, and enough time to see extra shows if you want. Great location downtown, and some very good meals. This was my second time on this one. Highly recommended.
— Review left September 17, 2022
This was a wonderful program. Not only did we see an interesting and varied trio of plays, but the lectures on theater production given by OSF technical staff were fascinating. For me, one of the most enjoyable and educational parts of the program was the ability to discuss the plays with a group of people with widely differing views about the works themselves and the style of the productions. Our group leader, Jessica Sage, was both extremely knowledgeable, personable, and unflappable. Tyrone Wilson brought an in-depth knowledge of the festival, and an actor's perspective and enthusiasm to our discussions. The hotel was lovely, the food good, if sometimes too plentiful for comfort, and the town pleasant. What more can you ask for? In all, I highly recommend this program to all theater lovers, regardless of prior level of knowledge.
— Review left July 16, 2022
A great way to spend a week immersed in theater. The program covers attendance at three plays, but the attendee can usually cram in one or two (or three) extra performances. If you're not interested in modern theater and are only interested in watching Shakespeare, then this is not the trip for you. If you have an open mind about modern theater, Ashland is a great experience. The lectures and special guests are absolutely worth going the Road Scholar route. Theaters are dark on Monday, so that's the time for cheese, wine, chocolate tourism. Our Monday was 100 degrees F, so be careful and keep hydrated!
— Review left July 16, 2022
Love the theatre? Want to share your love of theatre with like-minded individuals in a beautiful, inviting setting? Then this program is for you.
— Review left July 16, 2022
The lectures presented for the 2022 program "A Feast for the Senses: Ashland & the Oregon Shakespeare Festival," were superb in my opinion. The information presented was of great interest and highly informative. In addition, all of the participants were extremely friendly and welcoming. As a solo traveler, I always appreciate having a "family for a week" experience.
— Review left June 27, 2022
This was one of the best educational programs I've taken to learn about the vast subject of plays, actors, fight and intimacy directors, and the history of the OSF. Ashland is such a wonderful town and our hotel is walking distance to each theater. We had excellent lectures/classes each day about the upcoming plays and then a reflection/discussion the following day to share our thoughts. The actors came to share their experiences so this was not expected and a complete surprise. I already registered for next year's program since I felt it added to my knowledge about performance arts plus I met some wonderful new friends who enriched my experience. I highly recommend this annual program and you will enjoy the excursions in Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival performances (a wide variety in plays).
— Review left June 18, 2022
Loved this trip overall. The local tour leader was knowledgeable and was able to reschedule us for a different play when one got cancelled due to Covid because of her connections in the theater. The play previews made the plays so much more interesting. The speakers were all good. The hotel was lovely and updated and centrally located. Side trips to winery, etc. were fun. Only issue I had was with some of the meals. The lunch sandwich at the hotel was awful as dried processed turkey is my least favorite thing. Would have liked a choice. I had dinner at the hotel on my own, so I know they can make good food. The boxed lunch "on the bricks" was also awful. No drink, no place to sit, hot sun. At least schedule something where we can sit at a table inside. And nobody remembered what they ordered, so best to have that information for us beforehand. The group leader assumed we had the detailed itinerary with times, etc. but most of us did not. A sheet with that info needs to be handed out at orientation. I would do this trip again.
— Review left June 14, 2022
How do I get out of this If I do not want to write a website post?
— Review left July 9, 2019
Brings in a whole new perspective! Your brain will thank you!
— Review left July 8, 2019
Ashland's Shakespeare Theater program is always interesting and new. This is a trip you can repeat every year and always learn and enjoy something new.
— Review left July 5, 2019
This trip is wonderful for persons loving innovative performances in a beautiful setting.
— Review left June 1, 2019