Oregon Shakespeare Festival

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JUN. 19-23, 2019 $1,695
Ashland
UCLA Faculty on Tour Activity Level: Mild Hide This
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Overview

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

JUN. 19-23, 2019
Ashland

Dear UCLA Alumni and Friends,

We invite you to join our popular Oregon Shakespeare Festival trip in June with Professor Michael Allen. Venture up to Ashland where this charming town is the perfect backdrop for the award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, a tradition since 1935. While the Bard is their inspiration and anchor, they offer a wide range of classical and modern plays and musicals performed by an outstanding multicultural acting company. We know the theater is a special focus, but there is an exciting and diverse array of offstage activities to see and do during your visit to Ashland.

Join UCLA professor Michael Allen on our 28th trip to the festival that Time magazine named one of the top five regional theaters in the country. Founded in 1935, the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival is among the oldest and largest professional non-profit theaters in the nation. With specially prepared advance reading lists and in-depth lectures, you will see the theater in a whole new light.

This tour is a special opportunity to have the one-on-one experience with UCLA faculty that our alumni have been raving about. See why this trip regularly elicits comments like this from past Oregon Shakespeare travelers: Ted and Marlene ’60 Boydston, “The whole Bruin Ashland experience is something we look forward to every year. Taking our ninth Shakespeare Festival trip this June!” Miryam Brand “The trip is always very well organized, and with so many highlights.”

Join us as we travel to one of our favorite all-time travel destinations. If you have any questions, please call us at 310-206-0613 or email travel@alumni.ucla.edu.

Sincerely,
Christel Aragon
Director, Alumni Travel

Cost: $1,695
UCLA Alumni Travel
Activity Level: Mild
Easy Pace, little walking and stair climbing
Highlights:

The Plays

  • All’s Well That Ends Well

William Shakespeare
Allen Elizabethan Theatre

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none

When Helena cures an ailing king, he rewards her with the mate of her choosing. She only has eyes for Bertram, but the young man does not return her love. What will become of clever Helena as she navigates this complex comedy of courtships, class, mistaken identities, pain, loss, war and love? With original compositions and movement, Tracy Young directs this humorous, inventive and edgy production of Shakespeare’s nuanced love story.

  • As You Like It

William Shakespeare
Angus Bowmer Theatre

Love is merely a madness

Exiled from the controlling confines of the court, Duke Senior and her daughter Rosalind seek refuge – and find much more – in the unconstrained Forest of Arden. Also fleeing danger at home, Orlando encounters a young man named Ganymede and seeks help in love – unaware that Ganymede is actually his heart’s desire, Rosalind, in disguise. “All the world’s a stage” and all society’s rules of conformity are off in this exuberant theatrical journey into one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, directed by Rosa Joshi. 

  • Macbeth

William Shakespeare
Allen Elizabethan Theatre

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

Spurred by prophesy and consumed by ambition, Macbeth murders the Scottish king and claims the throne. Fueled by guilt and paranoia, the new king and his wife embark on an increasingly bloody campaign to hold onto power. The impulse to destroy rather than change grips Macbeth, wreaking havoc on their minds and on everyone in their way. Directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, Shakespeare’s evocative tragedy plumbs the depths of human psychology and the pitfalls of unchecked ambition and violence.

  • Hairspray

Music by Marc Shaiman
Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Angus Bowmer Theatre

You can’t stop the beat!

It’s 1962, and the Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad lives in a world that tells her plus-sized gals shouldn’t be dancing on television and that racial segregation is here to stay. When she wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show, Tracy becomes a star and teams up with her friends Penny, Seaweed, Motormouth Maybelle and hunky Link Larkin to use her newfound fame to challenge the status quo. Director Christopher Liam Moore honors John Waters’ original subversive vision for the story in a wildly joyful production that celebrates radical inclusion at its heart.

 

UCLA Faculty on Tour

Michael Allen
Department of English
Michael Allen is a Distinguished Professor of English with a doctorate in history. Now emeritus, he is a former director of UCLA’s Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, a past president of the Renaissance Society of America, and a fellow of the British Academy. His other honors include UCLA’s Eby Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. Michael has taught for five summers at the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare summer school in Stratford-on-Avon with Kenneth Muir, Reg Foakes, Gareth Lloyd Evans, and other critics and scholars. He has also taught for eleven years as a visiting professor at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Details

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Itinerary

Day 1 | June 19

Join Professor Michael Allen and your fellow travelers to share introductions during a welcome dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the hotel’s Ballroom II and Conservatory. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the quaint town of Ashland.

If you would like to see an additional play this evening, Alice in Wonderland is playing in the Allen Elizabethan Theatre at 8 p.m.

(Dinner)

Day 2 | June 20

Continental breakfast is included daily at the hotel.

Michael will give his first lecture on All’s Well That Ends Well in the morning at the hotel.

Following the lecture, enjoy a perennial favorite: the Backstage Tour led by a company member. Begin with a brief talk about the history of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the intricacies of operating a theatre in repertory. View the festival’s three theaters and go behind-the-scenes to see staging and production areas, costume shop, Green Room and other areas.

Walk a few blocks to contemporary Pie + Vine Restaurant, featuring wood-fueled cookery influenced by regional traditions of Italy and the flavors of the West Coast for lunch.

Enjoy your free time this afternoon after lunch. Ashland is at the convergence of the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountains, and a town that is just as unique and authentic as the terrain that surrounds it. Nowhere else do so many individual experiences from performances, culinary arts and outdoor recreation, combine to create something so inspiring.

If you would like to enjoy an additional play this afternoon, Cambodian Rock Band is playing in the Thomas Theatre at 1:30 p.m.

Our first Shakespeare performance will be All’s Well That Ends Well that is being performed in the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre at 8 p.m.

(Continental Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 | June 21

Continental breakfast is included daily at the hotel.

Michael will give his second lecture on As You Like It and Macbeth this morning at the hotel.

Enjoy some free time in the charming town of Ashland. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many dining options in town. Then, head to the Angus Bowmer Theatre for the performance of As You Like It at 1:30 p.m.

After the show, you will have time to rest, explore, and dine at one of the many Ashland restaurants before we see Macbeth at the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre at 8 p.m.

(Continental Breakfast)

Day 4 | June 22

Continental breakfast is included daily at the hotel.

This morning, Michael will give his third and final lecture on the Shakespearean performances at the hotel. Share your thoughts on the performances you’ve seen in this lively discussion.

Spend the rest of Saturday morning relaxing and exploring the local Farmer’s Market and Lithia Artisan’s Market on Ashland Creek, a small arts and craft market. Located in the heart of the city, you are just steps away from restaurants, shops and the theater. Enjoy Lithia Park and the mild summer weather.

This afternoon, walk to the Angus Bowmer Theatre for our final performance, Hairspray at 1:30 p.m.

Early evening, head to the highly regarded Alchemy Restaurant & Bar at Winchester Inn for our farewell dinner. This traditional Victorian stately home is in perfect harmony with its surroundings, situated in the midst of an English country garden. Walk the path to the restaurant where pansies line the path that lead to the front entrance. It has been a favorite of our past travelers for many years.

Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

If you would like to enjoy an additional play this evening, Cambodian Rock Band is playing in the Thomas Theatre and Alice in Wonderland is playing at the Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Both plays start at 8 p.m.

(Continental Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 | June 23

Enjoy brunch this morning at the hotel’s Conservatory/Gardens.  An actor from the Festival will join us for an intimate question and answer session. Lively discussions always ensue as we critique and discuss the performances we have seen this week.

Around 11 a.m., check-out and depart for home.  If you would like to extend your stay in Ashland for an extra day or two, this can be easily arranged for your convenience.

(Brunch)

Accommodations
2015-06-oregon-hotel-exterior

Stay at the Ashland Springs Hotel; an oasis of gentility and elegance located in the heart of the charming town of Ashland. Built in 1925 and lovingly restored, this downtown landmark is a haven of taste reminiscent of small European hotels. The hotel is nestled in the Rogue River Valley where travelers come from far and wide to experience the wonders of nature and the acclaimed curative waters of the mineral springs and now enjoy the world  renowned Shakespeare Festival, exciting local food and wine scene, and the beauty and joy of returning to a simpler time.

This elegant boutique hotel offers many fine guest amenities. On-site, the property provides a business center and concierge service, free parking for those who are driving and a cozy fireplace in the hotel’s lobby. A few of the amenities are as follows:  Wireless high speed internet access in all guest rooms, iron, ironing board, 100% cotton robes, Gilchrest & Soames bath products, and hair dryer in each guest room. Dry cleaning and laundry services are offered Monday through Friday. A complimentary continental breakfast is also offered each morning from 6:30 – 10 a.m. Highly popular Larks Restaurant located at the hotel is open daily for lunch and dinner. A late-night snack from 9pm to Midnight is also available on the Mezzanine level when you return from your evening at the theater, offering hot tea, lemonade, and snacks.

The Ashland Springs Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the Historic Hotels of America, just steps away from the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival theaters.

 

Pricing

Land only: $1,695 (based on double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $525

Download Reservation Form Request Brochure In Mail
310.206.0613 (P)
310.209.4271 (F)
travel@alumni.ucla.edu
  • Michael Allen was excellent. He made Shakespeare come alive!"
    Allan Morrison ‘57
  • It was fascinating to hear Michael Allen speak. He was so enthusiastic about material he had probably recited countless times. A natural teacher."
    Michael Huey ’75, MD ’79
  • Loved the liveliness of his presentations; excellent choice of information and focus."
    Yuki Kuno ’69
  • The highlight of our trip! Professor Allen’s ability to bring the Shakespeare era to life was incredible. His history of the period and of Roman times really put the plays into context."
    Judy King ‘03

Book this Tour

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How to Book

STEP 1
Download the tour Reservation Form here. This tour is booked quickly, so sign up early to reserve space.

STEP 2
Enclose a check or provide credit card information for $500 per person. Make check payable to UCLA Alumni Association. Deposits are provisional and fully refundable pending your acceptance of final brochure terms.

STEP 3
Mail completed reservation form and your deposit to:
UCLA Alumni Association
Attn: Alumni Travel
James West Alumni Center
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397

A brochure will be mailed to you as soon as it is available.

Terms & Conditions

Reservations for this exciting cultural travel experience will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Land Package includes: Four nights double occupancy (two per room) at the Ashland Springs Hotel, a backstage tour, four performances, three lectures, one actor discussion, guided tours and meals as outlined herein.

Single accommodations are available, but limited. A single room is available for an additional $525. If you are looking for a roommate, we will make every attempt to find one for you. However, if a roommate is not found, you will be responsible for the single supplement cost, pending availability.

Responsibility: The liability of UCLA Alumni Travel and UCLA Alumni Association as tour operator is strictly limited. UCLA Alumni Travel purchases hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. UCLA Alumni Travel and UCLA Alumni Association are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned. Any payment to UCLA Alumni Association constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions.

Assumption of Risks: Participation in this elective trip carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injury.  The specific risks vary from one activity to another, but the risks range from 1) minor injuries such as scratches, bruises, and sprains, to 2) major injuries such as eye injury, joint or bone injuries, heart attacks, and concussions, to 3) catastrophic injuries such as paralysis and death.

Indemnification and Hold Harmless: Travelers also agree to indemnify and hold the UCLA Alumni Association harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities, including attorney’s fees, arising out of his/her involvement in this activity, and to reimburse it for any such expenses incurred.

Travel Arrangements: Due to economics within the airline industry, securing competitive group air between Los Angeles and Medford is no longer a viable option. Airfare or driving arrangements to meet at Ashland Springs Hotel at the start of the tour is not included. However, we are happy to provide suggested airlines and routings.

Health: We welcome all travelers, but request that you be in good health to participate in this tour. You must be able to walk a few blocks, and some stairs may be required to get to your seat. If you require handicapped seating at the performances, please advise as soon as possible so that we can request those seats. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance if you require use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. UCLA Alumni Travel and UCLA Alumni Association reserves the right to remove anyone whose physical condition or behavior, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other tour members. In that event, UCLA Alumni Travel and UCLA Alumni Association assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.

Cancellations for any reason whatsoever will be subject to a $200 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations from 60-31 days prior to departure will result in the forfeiture of 50% of the entire cost of the trip per person; cancellations from 30 days to the time of departure will result in forfeiture of the entire cost of the trip. We reserve the right to change any aspect of the program as necessary. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. An independent travel insurance provider will be included in your confirmation packet for your convenience. However, we encourage you to research and find the travel insurance provider that best fits your needs. Cancellations must be made in writing to UCLA Alumni Travel

Every effort has been made to accurately describe the information as shown within this website. We reserve the right to correct errors.

If you have questions regarding the Oregon Shakespeare Festival tour or your UCLA Alumni Association membership status, please call UCLA Alumni Travel at 310-206-0613 or email us at travel@alumni.ucla.edu. Our fax number is 310-209-4271.

Download Reservation Form Request Brochure In Mail
310.206.0613 (P)
310.209.4271 (F)
travel@alumni.ucla.edu
  • Michael Allen was excellent. He made Shakespeare come alive!"
    Allan Morrison ‘57
  • It was fascinating to hear Michael Allen speak. He was so enthusiastic about material he had probably recited countless times. A natural teacher."
    Michael Huey ’75, MD ’79
  • Loved the liveliness of his presentations; excellent choice of information and focus."
    Yuki Kuno ’69
  • The highlight of our trip! Professor Allen’s ability to bring the Shakespeare era to life was incredible. His history of the period and of Roman times really put the plays into context."
    Judy King ‘03