Staging Shakespeare has evolved over time. From minimal props and costume pieces to extravagant visual feasts, the way we approach designing Shakespeare’s plays says as much about the present as it might the past.

As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the First Folio, we reflect on approaches to staging Shakespeare’s plays and consider how changing design trends reflect the zeitgeist of the moment.

Speaker Tara A. Houston is a scenic designer, DEI specialist, and educator. Currently, she is the Cultural and Community Liaison for Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Her work is rooted in better connecting OSF to folks in the Valley and beyond. Previously, she was the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at Louisiana State University as well as the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. She believes in community-based theatre that reflects the diverse lived experiences of people including those historically excluded from the arts. Her work as a scenic designer flourishes in collaborative environments that support intellectual and artistic risk taking.

Tara’s scenic design work has been featured at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cara Mía Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Madison, American Blues Theatre (Chicago), and others. She is on the Board of Directors of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, a member of the Guild of Scenic Artists, and is on the Steering Committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons. Tara has played an active role as an organizing member for La Gente: The Latine/x Theatre Production and Design Network. She lives in Ashland with her muttly dog, Obi and her partner.