The recent trip to Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival gave students a chance to see Shakespeare’s often incomprehensible language come to life on stage in both humorous and tragic ways. Led by English teachers Holly Coty and Cheryl Zepp, the trip spanned four days and included a total of four shows, with a fifth optional excursion. 

   The festival, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, features a variety of Shakespeare performances, modern plays and musicals. In addition to watching shows, students also had the opportunity to freely explore the small and lively town of Ashland.

  On the first day, students watched Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, a comedy about two pairs of lovers accidentally tangling themselves in a web of deception. For sophomore Nona Brozell, this show and its musical additions to the original Shakespeare was one of the major highlights of the trip. 

   “My favorite show was ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’” Brozell said. “I really liked the singing. I wish we could have seen it again.”

   The next morning, students explored the lush greenery of Lithia Park as a group, enjoying the various hiking trails and winding creek. That afternoon, students saw “Macbeth,” a Shakespeare tragedy about a Scottish noble grasping for power. The play is part of the Literature 10 spring semester curriculum, giving current sophomores a taste of what’s to come and current juniors the chance to experience the play differently. The evening closed with a production of an adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre,” a story following the title character through the complicated events of her life.  

   On Saturday, students had the opportunity to browse handcrafted goods in Ashland’s weekly artisan market and explore the vibrant shops dotting the town. Freshman Yesenia Stankevich enjoyed the opportunity to visit small independent stores. 

   “[Ashland] was full of tiny little shops you wouldn’t find elsewhere that each had a unique kick to them,” Stankevich said.

   A student workshop on bringing Shakespeare to life and an optional showing of a lesser-known play, “Coriolanus,” rounded out the afternoon. The last show students saw was “Lizard Boy,” a new indie musical following the life of the titular character as he battles his way through life with superpowers.  

   The Ashland trip was an opportunity for students to connect with each other, explore a unique town, and enjoy various performances.