Ashland, Ore.--As the Oregon Shakespeare Festival heads into its final month of the 2008 season, only two weeks of performances of the new Green Show remain. It's not too late to enjoy an eclectic mix of music and dance before the closing performance on October 12.
Artistic Director Bill Rauch noted, "As the only art we offer free of charge to the public, I wanted the Green Show to reflect as wide a range of artistic experiences as possible. I've brought my kids many nights and we've all been excited and moved by the variety of offerings. The Green Show has brought us local and national (even international) groups, as well as both community-based and professional performers. We've been able to welcome back Green Show veteran performers, offer company members new opportunities for growth, and to build dynamic relationships between new artists and OSF audiences. Claudia's curation of the Green Show has surpassed my already high expectations."
Audience members clearly appreciate the new format and have provided overwhelmingly positive comments, including:
"I've lived in Ashland for 11 years and this is the best season of Green Shows yet!"
"Excellent Fabulous Love them ALL!"
"Best Green Show ever--have been coming for 20+ years."
"YAY FOR THE Green Show!"
"The diversity and variety of the new Green Show is wonderful. Thank you!"
"Fabulous. We're from Pennsylvania--please keep doing this!"
"I'm a local resident and I'm pumped to start coming to the Green Show again!"
Assisting Claudia in fine-tuning the organization and sound of the Green Show are production coordinator Jess Carr, technical manager Benajah B. Cobb and assistants Federico Behnke and Cassondra Lindbloom.
Alick also made a connection with Equilibrium Television, or EQ.TV, an Ashland-based organization creating a virtual platform for interactive media and social networking in order to support what they hope is a shift to sustainability. EQ.TV has brought a number of OSF's Green Shows live to the web, where they are also available for on-demand viewing (http://eq.tv/watch/)another way for OSF to share its art for free! Theaters throughout the country have been exploring web-based content including artist interviews, commercials for shows, and clips of their process. Alick believes OSF is leading the way in experimenting with the live streaming component.
OSF also worked with Ashland Sanitary to help develop its new recycling program for the Green Show. And in the interest of going green, OSF used text messaging to communicate with audiences about the Green Show schedule.
"This first season has been a huge amount of fun," Alick said. "The show was more successful than any of us could have imagined. We plan to continue with our mission of community, collaboration and a commitment to access and excellence. Our open submission process allows us to connect to excellent performers both professional and community-based. We'll be bringing back well-loved groups and exciting new acts. Our audience is incredibly diverse, very smart and a joy to program for. The greatest collaboration is that between the performers and the crowd, and together we made some great art this season."
For more information about the Green Show visit this page.
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