Britt Festival

. Since its creation it has been among the premier performing arts festivals in the northwest, and has managed to attract high-profile and local acts in music and dance for decades. Britt also sponsors a number of educational programs through its educational arm The Britt Institute. Its main mission is, "to present and sponsor in Southern Oregon performing arts of the highest quality for the education, enrichment and enjoyment of all."

History

The idea for Britt originated in 1963, when Portland conductor John Trudeau and several friends visiting southern Oregon stumbled upon the former hillside estate of Jacksonville pioneer Peter Britt and noticed the nearby hillside's acoustics. The beauty of the valley further motivated them to start something, and that summer a plywood stage was built. A local orchestra provided the only music until 1978, when the current pavilion was constructed. From there the festival continued to grow to include more seats and attract national attention, with high-profile artists frequently performing.

There are currently two theatres that feature Britt performances: The Lithia Motors Amphitheater and Britt Park, which is a publicly owned county property maintained by the Parks Department. [http://www.brittfest.org/ourhistory.htm]

Location

The Britt Festival's main theater is located in Jacksonville, in Southern Oregon. Other performances take place at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater, at the Jackson County Expo Park in Central Point, Oregon.

References

* [http://www.brittfest.org/ Britt Festival Official Site]