Five ashland independent film festival Film Selections Receive Academy Award Nominations

Of the over 80 documentary, feature and short films to be included in the 2007 ashland independent film festival,four were nominated for Academy Awards. Two films featured in the 2006 AIFF were also nominated for Oscars. The full slate of films for the April 12-16 festival will not be announced until late February.

In the Best Documentary Short Subject category, two of the four films nominated for Oscars are programmed at the 2007 AIFF - The Blood of Yingzhou District and Recycled Life. In the Best Animated Short Subject category, the festival's The Danish Poet, and The Little Match Girl were both nominated. For the first time, films from previous festivals have also been nominated. Last year's Binta and the Great Idea and West Bank Story and were both nominated for 2007 Best Live Action Short Films. See more information on 2007 films below.

This a sensitive portrait of a hidden AIDS epidemic in China, a country not commonly associated with the disease. The film focuses on a young AIDS orphan, Gao Jin, who reveals his resolve to live while his extended family weighs whether or not to keep him. The documentary tells the story of traditional Chinese obligations of family and village colliding with terror of infection, and how these forces play out in the lives of children in the country’s remote areas. The Blood of Yingzhou District won Documentary RX Global Health Documentary Grand Jury Prize and was an official selection at the United Nations Association Film Festival, SILVERDOCS: The AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Mill Valley Film Festival.

This powerful film illuminates the lives of the thousands of families who live and work in the Guatemala City Garbage Dump. For over sixty years, children have been born and raised there. Thousands of people have thrived in the largest and most toxic and dangerous area in Central America. The dump, and its inhabitants who recycle the city's trash, have been shunned by society and ignored by the government. Then a disastrous methane explosion forever changed this landfill and the people who call it home. Recycled Life won the Best Short Documentary at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival and was an official selection at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin Texas; the Human Rights Festival in Bologna, Italy; and the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Can we trace the chain of events that leads to our own birth? Do little things matter? Best animated nominee The Danish Poet traces life's peculiar coincidences. In this Canada/Norway production, Kasper, a young poet in search of inspiration, travels to Norway to meet the celebrated writer, Sigrid Undset. Animator Torill Kove's quirky love story is narrated by Liv Ullmann and drawn on paper with computer rendering in the same signature style Kove displayed in her My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirts, nominated for an Academy Award in 2000. The Danish Poet won the Audience Favorite Award at the Aspen Shortsfest and the C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures Award for Best Animated Short at the Worldwide Short Film Festival and Best Animated Short at the New York City Short Film Festival. The film has been featured at 30 film festivals around the world.

The Little Match Girl is an animated short based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale about a poor young girl with a burning desire to find comfort and happiness in her life. Desperate to keep warm, the girl lights the matches she sells, and envisions a very different life for herself in the fiery flames filled with images of loving relatives, bountiful food, and a place to call home.

These winners will be celebrated at the AIFFs annual Oscar Night Gala and Silent Auction at the Historic Ashland Armory, Sunday, February 25, 4-9p. Celebrate in style on Hollywood's biggest night with the Academy Awards broadcast projected on two 30 ft screens and concert quality sound. Food from Pilaf Restaurant is included and wine and beer will be available at the no host bar. The evening will also feature a Silent Auction offering a vast array of items donated by businesses from the Rogue Valley and beyond. The Oscar Night Gala has sold out in the past. Gather nine friends to reserve your own table or purchase individual tickets by calling 541.488.3823.

OSF Opens 2007 Season on February 23

Libby Appel's Final Season A Parting Gift by Great Masters and New Voices

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival will open its 2007 season with four productions on two stages February 23-25, 2007.

Kicking off the weekend is William Shakespeare's comedy, As You Like It, directed by guest artist J.R. Sullivan. The show opens at 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Opening Saturday, February 24 at 1:30 p.m. is Libby Appel's new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, which she is also directing. At 8:00 p.m. that evening, audiences will be treated to Tom Stoppard's witty farce On the Razzle, directed by Laird Williamson. Completing the weekend's openings is David Lindsay-Abaire's compassionate, humorous new drama, Rabbit Hole, opening at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 25 in the New Theatre, directed by James Edmondson. The 2007 season, its 72nd year, is sponsored by US Bank.

OSF will open seven more plays on its three stages, the outdoor Elizabethan Stage, the Angus Bowmer Theatre and the intimate New Theatre, including three Shakespeare productions on the Elizabethan Stage opening the weekend of June 15-17: the deeply magical The Tempest, directed by Appel; The Taming of the Shrew, featuring one of Shakespeare's memorable couples, Kate and Petruchio, directed by Kate Buckley, a founding member of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and in her first season at OSF; and Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's first great tragedy, directed by incoming artistic director Bill Rauch. OSF's 2007 season runs from February 16-October 28 and offers 774 performances of 11 productions.

Also in the Angus Bowmer Theatre are August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, directed by Timothy Bond (opening April 21) ; and Moliére's Tartuffe (translated by Ranjit Bolt), directed by Peter Amster (July 28). Opening in the the New Theatre on March 31 is a world premiere musical, Tracy's Tiger, based on the novella by William Saroyan with book and lyrics by Linda Alper, Douglas Langworthy and Penny Metropulos and music and additional lyrics by Sterling Tinsley; and Lisa Loomer's Distracted will open July 7 under the direction of Liz Diamond (Gibraltar, 2005).

"These plays are my parting gift," says Artistic Director Libby Appel. "They represent the acknowledged masters of the world's drama--Shakespeare and Chekhov, Moliére, August Wilson and Tom Stoppard--as well as two exciting new voices in American theatre, David Lindsay-Abaire and Lisa Loomer. And, as a special treat, we are offering a premiere musical written by members of the OSF company to showcase the talents and strengths of the OSF ensemble: the whimsical and quirky fable Tracy's Tiger, based on a novella by William Saroyan.

As You Like It (February 23-October 28) by William ShakespeareProduction Sponsor: US Bank

As You Like It offers audiences one of Shakespeare's most engaging heroines, Rosalind, who, disguised as a young man (Ganymede) and seeking safety in the Forest of Arden, discovers the joy of love, enduring friendship and restored relationships. Directed by J.R. Sullivan, who directed Room Service in 2005, the play is set in 1930's America.

The cast of 22 includes Miriam A. Laube as Rosalind, Danforth Comins as Orlando, Julie Oda as Celia, David Kelly as Touchstone, Jeff Cummings as Oliver, and Robert Sicular as Jaques.

Scenic design is by Resident Scenic Designer William Bloodgood; costumes by guest designer Joyce Kim Lee (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Room Service, The Comedy of Errors), lighting by Resident Lighting Designer Robert Peterson and music by guest artist John Tanner (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Love's Labor's Lost, The Visit). Lue Morgan Douthit is dramaturg; Louis Colaianni is Voice & Text Director and Suzanne Seiber is choreographer.

The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov; world premiere adaptation by Libby Appel from a literal translation by Alison Horsley (February 24-July 8)Production Sponsors: Lithia America's Car & Truck Store, Mrs. John D. BanksProduction Partner: Carole Howard in memory of Bill Howard.

Libby Appel's love for Anton Chekhov began decades ago, and she finds it a great honor in her last season to adapt and direct the playwright's final and "perfect" play. The Cherry Orchard was written and produced in 1904 and six months later Chekhov died at the age of 44. In Appel's opinion it is not only an ideal play, but a poem of perfection that portrays the evanescence of a way of life and the memories it evokes. This is the humorously ironic story of Lyubov Andreyevna and her family, who cling to their ancestral home and its cherry orchards in the face of certain loss.

Judith-Marie Bergan will play Lyubov; Richard Howard plays her brother, Leonid Gayev; Christine Albright is Lyubov's daughter, Anya; Gwendolyn Mulamba is Varya, Lyubov's adopted daughter; Armando Durán is Yermolai Lopakhin, the family friend; and Gregory Linington is Pyotr Trofimov, the tutor. Others in the cast are Christopher DuVal, Robynn Rodriguez, Nancy Rodriguez, Anthony Heald, Richard Elmore, John Tufts, U. Jonathan Toppo, Rafael Untalan and Adam Yazbeck.

Scenic design is by guest artist Rachel Hauck (The Winter's Tale, Richard III, Hedda Gabler); costumes are by Resident Costume Designer Deborah M. Dryden; lighting by guest artist James F. Ingalls (UP, By the Waters of Babylon); composer is Todd Barton; Alison Horsley is the translator and dramaturg; Scott Kaiser is Voice & Text Director, and Suzanne Seiber is choreographer.

On the Razzle (February 24-October 28) by Tom StoppardProduction Sponsor: Ed McCurtainProduction Partners: C. Beth Cotner and John M. Alogna, Mrs. Donald Hare, Charlotte Lin and Robert P. Porter, Avista

Weinberl, a clerk in Zangler's provincial provisions shop, itches for a day filled with high jinks and beautiful women. It seems unlikely, though, that he and the shop's apprentice, Christopher, will get a chance to leave their post. But when Zangler is off to Vienna, the young men see an opportunity to go "on the razzle." From the author of Rough Crossing (produced by OSF in 1997 to record houses), fun rules in this high-energy comedy based on the story that inspired The Matchmaker and Hello, Dolly! Laird Williamson, in his 13th season at OSF, will direct.

Tony DeBruno plays Zangler; Rex Young is Weinberl and Tasso Feldman (making his OSF debut) is Christopher. Others in the 20-member cast include G. Valmont Thomas, Terri McMahon, Suzanne Irving, Shad Willingham, Catherine E. Coulson, and Eileen DeSandre.

Scenic design is by guest artist Michael Ganio; costumes are by Robert Blackman; lighting is by Kendall Smith; sound design by Dennis M. Kambury and the composer is Larry Delinger. David Copelin is dramaturg, and Louis Colaianni is Voice & Text Director.

Rabbit Hole (February 25-June 22) by David Lindsay-AbaireProduction Sponsor: Jed and Celia Meese Foundation

Becca and Howie have suffered an agonizing loss, and they are slowly moving away from each other, unable to talk about their grief and guilt. Becca's boisterous sister, her meddling mother, a barking dog and a house filled with painful memories further aggravate the situation. By the author of Fuddy Meers, this new drama takes audiences on a parent's heart-rending journey with compassion and humor--and maps a way out.

OSF veteran Bill Geisslinger plays Howie, Robin Goodrin Nordli is his wife Becca, Dee Maaske is her mother Nat, Tyler Layton plays Becca's sister Izzy, and Jeris Schaefer is Jason.

Rabbit Hole is directed by Associate Artist James Edmondson, who also directed Fuddy Meers in 2001. Costumes are designed by Deborah Trout, in her ninth season at OSF; scenic design is by Principal Theatre and Scenic Designer Richard Hay; lighting is by Darren McCroom (Intimate Apparel, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Topdog/Underdog); music by Irwin Appel. David Copelin is dramaturg and Scott Kaiser is Voice & Text Director.

Previews, Openings and Tickets

Tickets remain available to previews and most opening performances. Patrons can save 40 percent on preview tickets. Tickets may be purchased online or call the Box Office at (541) 482-4331. Preview and opening times and dates are as follows (sold-out performances not included):

As You Like It Friday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. (preview)
As You Like It Tuesday, Feb. 20, 8 p.m. (preview)
As You Like It Friday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. (opening)

The Cherry Orchard Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. (preview)
The Cherry Orchard Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m. (preview)
The Cherry Orchard Saturday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. (opening)

On the Razzle Sunday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m. (preview)
On the Razzle Thursday, Feb. 22, 8 p.m. (preview)
On the Razzle Saturday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. (opening)

Rabbit Hole Thursday, Feb. 22, 8 p.m. (preview)
Rabbit Hole Friday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. (preview)
Rabbit Hole Sunday, Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. (opening)

An Important Note about Matinees, Parking and Access

Please note that matinees will begin at 1:30 p.m. through June 3. Starting June 5, when evening performances begin at 8:30 p.m., matinees will start at 2:00 p.m. Performance times will change back on August 14, when evening shows once again begin at 8:00 p.m. and matinee performances begin at 1:30 p.m.

The city-owned parking facility next to the New Theatre is available for parking. Cost of parking is $1.00 during the day and $3.00 at night.

New Visions, New Directions for OSF

Bill Rauch, named Artistic Director Designate of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in August 2006 and who will begin full time in June 2007, recently outlined his vision for the organization and the subsequent changes in artistic structure that he will be implementing effective at the end of the 2007 season.

"I have spent a great deal of time envisioning the most effective structure for the artistic team with whom I will work to lead the Oregon Shakespeare Festival," said Mr. Rauch. "The Festival's greatest strength is the aesthetic diversity of its work, and so my overarching goal in moving forward is to broaden and deepen the diversity of artistic viewpoints, including those of a diversity of playwrights."

"Most of the great works of world dramatic literature were created in collaboration with acting companies. As a classical theater with one of the only remaining acting companies in the United States, OSF has a responsibility to create and produce new work alongside the classics that are the core of our repertoire."

To meet his goal he has outlined six objectives: to significantly expand OSF's new play development efforts including the launching of the U.S. History Cycle, a series of original plays about American history to parallel the Shakespeare History Cycle; to put more resources into artistic development for the acting company and casting; to increase the variety of directorial voices at OSF; to place a designer in an artistic leadership position; to diversify producing responsibilities; and to offer the greatest possible variety of pre-show experiences on the Green Show stage by inviting both professional and accomplished community-based groups of artists from throughout the western states to perform on a rotating bill.

These objectives will require changes in the job responsibilities and structure of the existing artistic team. Mr. Rauch has decided that the two Associate Artistic Director positions currently held by resident directors will be combined into a single Associate Artistic Director position that will be held by a designer. In order to maximize opportunities for guest designers, the Resident Scenic Designer position will be eliminated. The Producing Director position will be split into two Associate Producer positions, one focused on company and one focused on community. A new position of Director of Casting and Company Development will be created. In addition, the Green Show resident choreographer and dancer positions will be replaced by a rotating series of freelance performance groups.

These changes mean that current artistic team members Associate Artistic Directors Timothy Bond and Penny Metropulos, Resident Scenic Designer William Bloodgood, Producing Director David A. Dreyfoos and Artistic Director of the Green Show David Hochoy will leave their positions at the end of the 2007 season.

"I have deep admiration for the work of these individuals and all that they have contributed to OSF throughout the years-- in the case of Bill Bloodgood alone, over an astonishing three decades," said Mr. Rauch. "Their artistry has graced our stages and their leadership has been at the core of our institution. I am deeply grateful that as we move forward as an organization, we will be building on their considerable accomplishments. I hope that Tim, Penny, Bill and David Hochoy will continue to work at the Festival as guest artists in future seasons, and I am thankful that David Dreyfoos will use his expertise to work closely with me throughout this transition."
Mr. Rauch has named a few of the new members of his artistic team. Christopher Acebo, a nationally recognized scenic, costume and graphics designer will become Associate Artistic Director. Mr. Rauch believes that Mr. Acebo is uniquely qualified to serve as a synergistic link between OSFs artistic office and all production departments as well as strengthening OSFs relationship with the Latino community.

Alison Carey will join OSF in the newly created position of Director of the U.S. History Cycle. A playwright and dramaturg as well as co-founder of Cornerstone Theater Company, Ms. Carey's dual passions for American history and theater make her the ideal leader of this new initiative. In addition, MacArthur Award-winning playwright Luis Alfaro and The Playwrights Center Artistic Director, Polly Carl, will consult throughout 2007 in the design of a New Play Development Center for OSF.

Mr. Alfaro and Ms. Carl will work closely with Lue Douthit, who will continue to oversee all literary and dramaturgical aspects of each seasons 11 productions. Also continuing in their current positions will be Principal Scenic and Theatre Designer Richard Hay, Resident Costume Designer Deborah M. Dryden, Resident Composer and Music Director Todd Barton, Resident Lighting Designer Robert Peterson, Head of Voice and Text Scott Kaiser, and Associate Artist James Edmondson.

The Director of Casting and Company Development and two Associate Producer positions (one focused on company and one focused on community) will be filled in the next six months.

OSF Plans Family Day Events for Sunday, March 4

Matinee of As You Like It,
Pre- and Post-show Events Offered for $15

Ashland, Ore. - The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is making Sunday, March 4 a day for young and old alike with its first-ever Family Day. Kids age 6 and older are encouraged to round up their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles for a 1:30 p.m. performance of Shakespeares As You Like It.

Tickets for the performance are only $15, and include a pre-show introduction to the play in Carpenter Hall at 12:30 p.m., as well as a post-show discussion and a chance to meet actors from the play.

To order tickets, call the OSF Box Office at (541) 482-4331 or stop by the Box Office at 15 S. Pioneer Street in Ashland. To read more about As You Like It and the other plays of the 2007 season, visit www.osfashland.org

100 Things I Love About Ashland

1. Picnicing in Lithia Park
2. Wading in Ashland Creek
3. Ashland Band Concerts
4. Ballet in the Park
5. Lithia Park duck pond
6. Lithia Park stone balancers
7. Swimming in the reservoir
8. Hiking in Oredsen-Todd Woods
9. Bear Creek
10. Ashland Food Co-op
11. Downtown Restaurants
12. Tourists (of all ages)
13. Peace Marchers & Women in Black
14. Varsity Theater
15. Ashland Street Cinemas
16. Ashland Independent Film Festival
17. DJ's Video
18. Street side bike paths
19. The Bike Path (through town)
20. Oregon Shakespeare Festival
21. The Green Show
22. Tudor Guild
23. Artwalk, First Friday
24. YMCA
25. Longhairs in Lithia Park
26. Students crossing Siskiyou
27. Grizzly Peak
28. Cross Country skiing at Buck Prairie
29. Daniel Meyer Pool
30. Ashland High School
31. The Community Garden
32. Active City Politics
33. Artisan's Market
34. Farmer's Market
35. Briscoe School Artwing
36. Outrigger Canoe Paddling on Emigrant Lake
37. Swimming at Emigrant Lake
38. The Water Slides
39. Christmas tree hunting
40. Mushroom hunting
41. City Hall in Downtown
42. 4th of July Parade
43. 4th of July Fireworks
44. Christmas Parade
45. Christmas Lighting Downtown
46. Oregon Stageworks
47. Jeff Golden, on JPR
48. ScienceWorks
49. Great Bookstores
50. Clean, maintained streets
51. Clean, maintained city parks
52. Southern Oregon University
53. Jefferson Public Radio
54. Skateboard Park
55. Bocce Ball courts
56. Ashland Public Library
57. New Firehouse
58. Slow speed limits by schools
59. Cars that stop for pedestrians
60. Friendly cash register people
61. Strangers saying hello
62. Dog Park
63. Buses that carry bikes
64. Rogue Valley Peace Choir
65. North Mountain Park nature center
66. Local DMV67. Mount Ashland
68. The Daily Tidings
69. Pilot Rock
70. Solar Panels on Civic Center
71. Friendly Police Officers
72. Free in-city buses (now low cost)
73. Solar Power Rebates
74. Earth Day Celebration
75. Seeing Shakespeare Actors off stage
76. Ice Skating at Darex Rink
77. Water play at Garfield Park
78. Daily train noise
79. Ashland recycle center
80. The Plaza
81. Lithia water (yucky, but cool)
82. Used book stores
83. Great Public Statues
84. Halloween Parade
85. The Bear Creek Greenway
86. Declaration of Independence Reading
87. Willow Wind Community Learning Center
88. Ski Swap
89. Labyrinth at the Episcopal Church
90. Unpredictable weather
91. Two Hot Weeks of Summer
92. No McDonald's!
93. Street Musicians
94. Japanese Garden at Lithia Park
95. SOU Rock Climbing Wall
96. Snow you can drive in
97. Flowered lampposts & boulevards
98. The Bike Swap
99. City maintained hiking trails
100. Civic Pride & Love of Ashland!

Tom DuBois, your local Grilla Bites owner

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Selected for Shakespeare for a New Generation

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has been selected to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation, a major initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

OSF received a $25,000 grant to support 200 performances of four Shakespeare plays, related classroom curricula, and 350 actor workshops, pre-and post-show discussions, classes and teachers' programs for 300 schools (15,000-17,000 student tickets) in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

While OSF has always had a strong education department with far-reaching educational programming, continuing trends in the field of education have affected student attendance at the theater. This grant will help OSF offer discounted performances to student groups; expand the distribution of theater education materials to teachers; encourage participation by teachers in OSF's professional development programs; reduce program fees for schools; and identify new and increased private support for education.

Fifteen, or two-thirds, of the Festival's education programs focus on students and teachers. These 15 programs reach culturally, economically and geographically diverse schools from across the western United States. Student attendance was 53,477 for the 2005 season, February through October 2005. The touring School Visit Program reached another 70,504 students in four states (CA, OR, WA, KS), bringing the total number of students served by OSF to 123,981 for the year.

The NEA's Shakespeare for a New Generation initiative gives high school and middle school students throughout America the opportunity to experience Shakespeare's works through high-quality productions and educational activities. It is the fourth phase of Shakespeare in American Communities, launched in September 2003, which has already reached more than 500 communities, 18 military bases, and 1,500 schools across all 50 states. This is the largest Shakespeare tour in American history.

"What is most remarkable about our Shakespeare for a New Generation program is that it not only benefits students across the nation by bringing them to live theater, often for the first time, but that the program also helps their teachers by making their English assignments literally come to life from the page to the stage," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "For the theater companies, it gives them the opportunity to become known by a whole new generation."

Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2007 Calendar Of Plays

Angus Bowmer Theatre

As You Like It
William Shakespeare
Feb. 16 – Oct. 28

The Cherry Orchard
Anton Chekhov world premiere
adaptation by Libby Appel
Feb. 17 – Jul. 8

On The Razzle
Tom Stoppard
Feb. 18 – Oct. 28

Gem of the Ocean
August Wilson
Apr. 17 – Oct. 27

TartuffeMolière
translated by Ranjit Bolt
Jul. 25 – Oct. 27

New Theatre

Rabbit Hole
David Lindsay-Abaire
Feb. 22 – Jun. 22

Tracy's Tiger
World premiere musical.
Linda Alper, Douglas Langworthy,
Penny Metropulos, Sterling Tinsley.
Based on novella by Wm. Saroyan
Mar. 28 – Oct. 28

Distracted
Lisa Loomer
Jul. 3 – Oct. 28

Elizabethan Stage

The Tempest
William Shakespeare
Jun. 5 – Oct. 6

The Taming of the Shrew
William Shakespeare
Jun. 6 – Oct. 7

Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Jun. 7 – Oct. 5