We will use the energy of the snake to keep growing and shedding our biases and continue to make a place where everyone is welcome. This is how we OPS. Join us.

We will welcome our disabled siblings to keep showing us more ways that heroes and villains and kings and jesters can exist onstage. We will do it in the most public of ways as we have always done: outside, in the parks, admission-free. We will not cower in fear and play it safe.

We will continue to hire LGBTQAI+ and theatre artists of color to play the plays of a pretty genius (and probably queer) white guy from the 16th century, turning his stories into our stories.

We have decided that OPS Fest will not be cowed by bad actors, if you will. We will continue to be a theatre company that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We are disgusted by the focus on eliminating the forward progress of policies focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are horrified by the attempts to eliminate “wokeness” from policy. These short-sighted power grabs are causing fear and trepidation all across our great land.

We, the leadership of Original Practice Shakespeare Festival, are appalled by this blatant disregard of our Constitution and by the stupidity and greed driving these sweeping decisions that are being made without considering what happens next.

These disruptors are not only ignoring the US Constitution, but they are trying to change the way our federal government works. They are ignoring the law and the rules of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

2025 on the lunar calendar is the Year of the Snake. That means we can look forward to new opportunities for growth and change. One big change in our country is the new administration in Washington that seems focused on pushing us backward socially, fiscally, and politically.

Looking forward to working with this team on Portland's Shakespeare Scene!

Definitely wasn’t 2020. lol. :)

Lauren did the tattoo more than once… the records place the show on that date…. *shrug*

Sir John Falstaffe would like a word...

Got your Hal and Falstaffe right here...

True that!

We know of…us! Portland’s free Professional summer Shakespeare!

Hi! We’re Portland’s free summer Shakespeare company and super excited to have you on the council now! Follow us for all the hot Portland Parks Shakespeare Shenangians!