The Illustrious History Of
Shakespearean Theatre in the Ojai Valley

The Ojai Shakespeare Festival traces its history back to the Shakespeare Club that operated in the Ojai Valley for over 110 years. In 1982, members of the club, under the leadership of Patricia, or Tish, Winkworth, organized a producing organization known as the Royal Shakespeare Revels. Their goals were to mount one production of Shakespeare a year in Libbey Bowl, and to explore the varying theories of authorship of the plays, particularly those surrounding Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford. In 1991 the group changed its name to the Ojai Shakespeare Festival to reflect its expansion into community outreach, theatre education, and a diverse presentation of classical theatre. Ever since its inception, the festival continually strives to create a family atmosphere in an organization composed of people who passionately believe in Shakespeare and in the joy of creating theatre.