As You Like It

This September, Portland’s newest public gathering space will become the Forest of Arden.

Rose City Stage Company, in partnership with the Portland Metro Chamber and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, will present Shakespeare’s As You Like It at the newly opened Darcelle XV Plaza, with eight free, pay-what-you-will performances running September 3–7 and September 10–12.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1970s, the production draws inspiration from the era’s spirit of artistic freedom, self-discovery, and community. The rigid world of Shakespeare’s court gives way to a joyful Forest of Arden where conventions fall away, love flourishes in unexpected ways, and people are free to become their truest selves—an interpretation that naturally complements Darcelle XV Plaza’s inaugural Summer of Love programming.

A joyful celebration of romance, mistaken identity, and love beyond convention, As You Like It follows Rosalind as she disguises herself as a young man and escapes into the Forest of Arden, where unlikely romances, unexpected friendships, and comic misunderstandings reveal the many forms that love can take. Filled with wit, music, and unforgettable characters, the play remains one of Shakespeare’s warmest and most life-affirming comedies.

The production marks Rose City Stage Company’s first fully staged outdoor production at Darcelle XV Plaza and reflects a shared commitment to activating downtown through free, high-quality cultural programming. Performances are offered through a pay-what-you-will model, and audiences are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to help ensure seating while supporting the continued growth of the series.

Leading up to the production, audiences are invited to the final installment of Shakespeare Unbuttoned, Rose City Stage Company’s free interactive workshop series exploring the surprising relationship between Shakespeare and drag performance. The final workshop will occur August 28th at Darcelle XV Plaza and will combine live performance and conversation with some of Portland’s most celebrated drag artists, offering a playful introduction to many of the themes explored in Shakespeare's most enduring comedies.

Rose City Stage Company is a Portland-based nonprofit theater company dedicated to bringing classical stories to life in unexpected spaces. By placing storytelling before spectacle, the company creates immersive productions that make timeless stories feel immediate, accessible, and alive for contemporary audiences.