OSF Presents 29th Annual Daedalus Project

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival invites the public to its 29th annual Daedalus Project, a benefit for HIV/AIDS organizations. The 2016 Daedalus Project, themed "Time Flies," begins with the Daedalus 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Aug. 21, and continues with a full day of fund-raising activities on Monday, Aug. 22, culminating in the Daedalus Play Reading and Daedalus Variety Show, which are both likely to sell out.

Since the first Daedalus Project was organized by OSF actor and director James Edmondson in 1988, the event has raised over $1.6 million for local, regional, national and international HIV/AIDS organizations. In the last 29 years, the Daedalus Project has created a tradition of remembrance, celebration and collective action for OSF's company, community and audience. This year, for the first time, the Variety Show will be fully accessible to our deaf artists and Audience members through the inclusion of sign interpretation.

"Our artists, organizers, audience and volunteers are a beautiful mix of company and community-some of whom have been supporting this show for 29 years and others who are joining us for the first time," said OSF Community Producer Claudia Alick. "It reminds us this work continues to be vital and we are all personally affected by this issue. We are grateful for the opportunity to volunteer and help so many local, national, and international programs. It is a joy directing and producing this event."

The Daedalus 5K embarks from the OSF campus at 9 a.m. on Aug. 21; entry is $28 in advance/$30 day of race. The Aug. 22 activities begin at 11 a.m. with the Daedalus Bake Sale (in the Angus Bowmer Theatre), the Daedalus Lemonade Stand and Daedalus Info Faire (on the Bricks) and the Daedalus Arts and Treasures Sale (in the Thomas Theatre), which will include the always-popular Daedalus Bears, inspired by the season's plays and created by the OSF Costume Shop.

This year's Daedalus Play Reading, directed by OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch and dubbed the Daedalus Mystery Musical!, is based on a classic musical title that will be revealed at the start of the performance. Get ready for a wild spin on a familiar story put together by an all-star team of OSF company members. The performance will take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Tickets are $35 and are available online or by calling the OSF Box Office at 800-219-8161.

The Daedalus Variety Show, which always sells out the Allen Elizabethan Theatre, is the main event of every Daedalus Project. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22; tickets are $40-$45 and are available online or by calling the OSF Box Office.

OSF artistic associate James Edmondson had the original idea for an HIV/AIDS fundraiser 29 years ago. OSF Artistic Director Emeritus Jerry Turner named the event the Daedalus Project after the story of Daedalus from Greek mythology. Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a labyrinth by King Minos, and by crafting wings from wax and feathers, Daedalus created a way out of the maze.

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