Oregon Stage Works | Mission & History Page | An Ashland, Oregon professional theatre company focusing on the staging, development and master American playwrights!

Oregon Stage Works Mission & History

"Don’t miss it! It is truly theatre at it’s finest.”

~ Patrons of Oregon Stage Works

     Mission

      Oregon Stage Works is dedicated to expressing the diversity and spirit of the American character by staging both classic and original works of artistic merit that entertain, challenge, and educate; simultaneously embracing a community of all ages with affordable theatre and enriching educational opportunities.

      History

       Lead by Producing Artistic Director Peter Alzado, and Board Chairman William Sauers, Oregon Stage Works was established as a tax exempt 501 (c) (3) non-profit performance group in October of 2002 in response to an outpouring of community support for the creation of a professional theatre company focusing on the staging of developing and master American playwrights. Shortly thereafter, in December of 2002, twelve of Oregon Shakespeare Festival's most significant actors donated their time and talents to mount six benefit performances of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters donating the proceeds to help in the creation of Oregon Stage Works.

       Since it’s days as a nomadic theatre company, producing shows at various venues ranging from hotels and restaurants to rental space at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and with over $45,000 in funds donated from community members, theatre artists and foundations, along with the construction of a new theatre in Ashland's Railroad district, the evolution of Oregon Stage Works has been unique indeed.

       In 2005, the first full year in it’s permanent home, “OSW” produced a six play subscription season that highlighted two original works by local playwrights and a series of socially relevant plays including Michael Frayn’s “Copenhagen” which won best off-Broadway play of 2006.

       Also in 2006 Oregon Stage Works’ Playwrights Unit was established for the development and production of new American plays. This group consists of seven local playwrights, two of whom have won the Oregon Book Award for Drama and one who is a recipient of the Oregon Book Award for fiction. The first project to be mounted out of the Playwrights Unit was Richard Moeschl's "Arthur's Dreams” which garnered the 2006 Oregon Book Award for Drama.

       Oregon Stage Works’ Ashland Children’s Theatre directed by Kate Sullivan and Eve Smyth is a vibrant and important part of the theatre’s programming. Twenty-six classes including summer camps are offered throughout the year serving over 150 students with a third of those children participating in OSW’s scholarship program. Along with the showcase performances produced after each class session, Ashland Children’s Theatre has also staged a number of productions with students working along side highly skilled adult actors. Two of these productions were original works written by Eve Smyth specifically for Ashland Children’s Theatre’s students.

       Since it’s inception OSW has supported a number of non-profit organizations by offering one benefit night to each of their main stage shows with the proceeds being donated to the organization’s efforts.
A producing partnership with a Jefferson Public Radio will bring select productions and educational programs to the Cascade Theatre in Redding, California.

       With the help of a great many supporters and over 120 volunteers who do everything from production support, coordination and construction, to performing, house managing and administrative work, Oregon Stage Works has established itself as a powerhouse theatre and an important cultural resource for the region. This company, reminiscent of New York City’s best Off-Broadway theatres, is a unique example of what can be done when people with passion and commitment come together towards a common goal.

       It would be hard to find another theatre company that in such a short time has been as productive, as active, and as successful as Oregon Stage Works.

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