Greta Oglesby

I am overjoyed to hear that Greta Oglesby has been selected to take part in your esteemed program. I have known and worked with Greta for more than 20 years and cannot speak more highly about her talent, fortitude, and dedication to her craft. Greta has an uncanny ability to be a leader in any group she is in. I first directed Greta at The Guthrie Theatre in a stellar production of CROWNS by Regina Taylor. She played the lead mother of the church and held a command on that large thrust stage that shook the very foundations. Her performance was powerful, vulnerable, well-spoken, and spiritually moving. Her singing voice is nothing short of “from the angels”, an experience that an audience-- and anyone who has ever been in a show with Greta-- knows is very special. I have also directed Greta in key roles such as Ma Rainey and the role August Wilson wrote specially for Greta, the 285-year-old spiritual leader, “Aunt Ester “in GEM OF THE OCEAN. These two roles she performed at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and she triumphed in each.  

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While at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Greta also beautifully played Gertrude in Hamlet, and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale, along with memorable performances The Tempest, Two Gentleman of Verona, HOW TO CATCH CREATION and received standing ovations each night in the middle of the show as “Motormouth Maybelle” in HAIRSPRAY. While I was Producing Artistic Director of Syracuse Stage, Greta brought down the house every performance as Caroline in CAROLINE OR CHANGE. That performance was legendary, as members of our staff would stop work and come to the back of the theater to watch her perform “Lot’s Wife” each matinée. Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori specifically asked for Greta to sing Lot’s Wife as a command performance at the Lincoln Center. This was not only because of her powerful singing voice, but much due to the extraordinary emotional and spiritual depth she brought to her interpretation. I know that Greta will take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow in her craft from participating in this sterling experience, and will rise even further in her career because of it.  

 

 

Tim Bond 

Artistic Director 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival