I hope you are thrilled as I am to kick off our 2022 season—my first full season since joining as OSF’s Artistic Director in April 2019. It has been an extremely challenging time for OSF and theaters across the country—but our community is resilient. As we continue to rebuild and reimagine the possibilities, we are opening an expansive repertory season full of exciting, timely work and classics beautifully interpreted through a 21st-century lens. Here’s what’s in store this season: eight on-stage plays and musicals, from classic Shakespeare to works by some of today’s most exciting playwrights. I am also thrilled to debut an expansion into digital projects that explore the future of theatrical storytelling.
Among this season’s gems is Once on This Island, featuring incredible singers from Broadway and beyond. OSF reopens the Angus Bowmer Theatre with celebrated director Lili-Anne Brown’s new staging of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s big, joyous Tony Award–winning musical, featuring an all-Black cast and lead creative team. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, Once on This Island is a testament that a beautiful tale simply told has the power to inspire and heal all—a perfect show to celebrate OSF’s full return.
Many of our longtime supporters will recognize what they have long loved about OSF, the unparalleled artistry and magic that emanates from this historical theater. But there will be new things as well. On the fourth weekend of every month, OSF will, for the first time, offer live American Sign Language translation plus audio describing services, closed captioning, and audio augmentation. We have also strengthened our commitment to centering BIPOC stories and artists, more equitable and sustainable theater- making practices, and a simplified ticketing pricing structure.
We are creating systems that will enable us to reach a wider audience, engaging more minds and touching more hearts in a way that only artists and theater can.
Thank you, artists and audiences, for being part of this triumphant moment with us.