Original Practice Shakespeare Festival

OPS Fest is dedicated to bringing a new style of Shakespearean performance to the Portland area by reviving the old. When Shakespeare originally penned and performed his plays, theatrical practices were very different than modern audiences are accustomed to. First Folio editions of Shakespeare’s plays include all the cues an actor needs to perform his or her role without rehearsal. This allows the truest reaction to the story as it progresses. The Ops Fest performs using the same performance techniques as they did in Shakespeare's own time, which means limited rehearsal; an onstage prompter; fast-paced, energetic acting; and lots of audience interaction. This lends a much more immediate, organic, improvisational feel to the performances.