Welcome to the Utah Shakespeare Festival! If this is your first time visiting us, we want to make your time here as enjoyable as possible! We hope this guide will answer your basic questions.
If after reading this, you have other questions, contact the ticket office at 800-PLAYTIX.
What is the Utah Shakespeare Festival?
Located in Cedar City, Utah, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is a Tony Award-winning, professional repertory theatre located on the campus of Southern Utah University that presents Shakespeare, musicals, and plays from other playwrights every June through October in three theatres at the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.
- The Englestad Shakespeare Theatre is an outdoor replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
- The Randall L. Jones Theatre is an indoor modern theatre.
- The Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre is an indoor modern black box theatre.
What Is The Festival Experience?
Many activities surround the main stage performances and create a more festive, in-depth experience. These include free activities such as Play Orientations, Play Seminars, Production Seminars (Actors, Costumes, Props, Producer), and The Greenshow. Additional events requiring tickets are Backstage Tours, Repertory Magic, the Words Cubed new plays program, and performances by London’s RADA touring production.
How Do I Get Tickets?
Tickets are available by phone (435-586-7878 or 800-PLAYTIX), online here, or at our centralized ticket office located near the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre
What Is Repertory Theatre?
Repertory simply means that more than one play is playing during the same time period. In the case of the 2023 season at the Festival, that means that seven plays open in the course of three weeks and alternate performances on three stages throughout the season. What it allows for you is the chance to see multiple different plays in the course of a few days. Refer to our calendar for dates and times.
Are Discounts Available?
The Festival makes various discounts available for seniors, AAA members, schools, and groups. For information, call the ticket office at 800-PLAYTIX or visit our tickets page.
What about Kids?
Children under the age of six, including infants, are not permitted into main stage plays, but children of all ages are welcome at The Greenshow. Professional child care is available during plays, but not during other Festival events. The cost is $10 per child per play, and reservations must be made through the Ticket Office at 800-PLAYTIX or online.
How Can I Know If a Play Is Suitable for Me or My Child?
Each play page of the website contains additional information about the play, including content advisories, articles, photos, and study guides, to help you make an educated decision.
Where Can I Park?
Free parking is available near all the Festival theatres. Festival guests can park free in designated Southern Utah University parking lots. {Map}
What Happens When It Rains?
Weather can affect performances in the outdoor Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, so please dress appropriately. Performances will continue during inclement weather, possibly after short delays. We will make every effort to complete the performance, even if it is raining. Umbrellas are not allowed, but rain ponchos are appropriate. If a performance is cancelled before intermission, a certificate will be issued to all guests in attendance at that performance. The Festival will not issue certificates if the show is canceled after intermission.
What Should I Wear?
There is no dress code. Many choose to wear casual attire. Consider wearing layers in anticipation of the weather in the outdoor Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre. We also recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket as our indoor Randall L. Jones Theatre and Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre may be cooler than some find comfortable.
What Happens If I Am Late?
Seating assignments are valid only until the performance begins. Latecomers will be seated only during an appropriate break in the play’s action, in available seats, as determined by house management. Assigned seats will be accessible at intermission.
Can I Take Food into the Theatre?
Drinks (with lids) purchased in our concession areas are allowed in all of our theatres; food purchased in our concession areas is allowed in the outdoor Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre only.
What If I Left My Tickets at Home?
Tickets may be reprinted with proof of identification. However, please arrive early at our ticket office near the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre to facilitate this process.
Can I Meet the Actors?
Actor Seminars are part of the Festival Experience and offers guests the opportunity to meet Festival actors and ask questions about their roles and the process of bringing the plays to life. {More Information}
Can I Easily Find Lodging and Dining?
The Cedar City area is home to a number of restaurants, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals. We suggest you visit Visit Cedar City•Brian Head to find just what you’re looking for:
Where Can I Purchase Festival Souvenirs?
Take home lasting souvenirs of your time at the Festival by picking up cards, books, souvenir programs, jewelry, clothing, and many other items at the Engelstad and Randall Festival Gift Shops.
How Do You Accommodate People with Special Needs?
All Festival theatres are accessible to persons with disabilities and are equipped with hearing-enhancement headsets, available for no charge in the theatre lobbies. Captioned performances are scheduled for each production; check the calendar for dates. Please inform the Ticket Office when you purchase tickets if you need any accessibility services. All accommodations should be requested at least seven working days prior to attendance.
Do You Allow Animals/Pets?
Certified service animals are permitted in our regular performances if our ticket office is notified in advance. However, emotional support and other animals fall under our pet policy, which is that pets are not permitted in our theaters. For our Greenshow and outdoor areas, animals are permitted if they are accompanied and appropriately restrained by their owner and comply with all applicable laws and regulations including vaccination, licensure, animal health, and leash laws. Individuals walking their pets across the grounds are responsible for immediate removal of their pet’s waste.
Other Facts
- All times listed are Mountain Time.
- Cedar City is located in the highest concentration of national parks in the world, as well as a wealth of national forests, adventures, shopping, and all kinds of activities.