News From the Festival
2027 Directors in the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce the directors for the 2027 productions in the Anes Studio Theatre, our intimate 200-seat space. Here we will be concluding our “Complete the Canon” initiative of Shakespeare’s works, started in 2012, as well as producing a show originally scheduled in our canceled 2020 season. We welcome a very familiar face and director making her Festival debut.
The Two Noble Kinsmen
By William Shakespeare and John Fletcher
Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre
A rarely-produced gem—the only Shakespeare play never before produced by the Festival—The Two Noble Kinsmen follows two devoted friends whose bond is shattered when they fall in love with the same woman. Set in ancient Greece, this sweeping tale of romance, rivalry, honor, and obsession explores how desire can transform even the noblest of hearts.
Returning to direct is longtime Festival artist Britannia Howe. Previously, she wrote The Greenshow for the 2026 season and wrote/directed The Greenshow six times between 2018 and 2025. She also directed Cymbeline and Every Brilliant Thing Tour. Her work has also been seen at Lyric Repertory Company, Utah Symphony, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. She has taught, produced shows, and earned degrees from Southern Utah University and Illinois State University.
“What excites me most about this opportunity to direct The Two Noble Kinsmen is the chance to shape a rarely produced Shakespearean work into an immediate theatrical experience for contemporary audiences,” says Howe. “The production embraces the play’s mythic scale and physical urgency. This isn’t a slow, polite play; the characters are impulsive and make huge decisions very quickly. With prison walls, love at first sight, and loyalty turning on a dime, it carries a ’live fast, die young’ energy that should feel a little dangerous.”
The Two Noble Kinsmen previews on July 21, 2027, and runs through October 2, 2027.
Into the Breeches!
By George Brant
Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre
When the men of a Shakespeare theatre company leave to fight in World War II, a group of inexperienced actresses step in to save the season. Determined to mount an all-female production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V, they embark on a humorous and heartfelt journey of confidence, community, and purpose. This uplifting comedy celebrates the power of art and the connections that sustain us in difficult times.
New to the Festival, Laura Kepley is “thrilled to be making my Utah Shakespeare Festival debut with this warm and hilarious play that uplifts female leadership, service, and collaboration.” Her work at other theatres includes Public Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Asolo Rep, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Contemporary American Theatre Festival, among many others. She is also the artistic director of Cleveland Play House, which earned a Regional Theatre Tony Award during her tenure. Her teaching credits include Brown University and Case Western Reserve University. She earned an MFA from Brown University/Trinity Rep and is a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).
“Into the Breeches is a backstage comedy tailor made for theatre lovers,” says Kepley. “With humor, heart, and hijinks, the play celebrates the power of teamwork and community, reminding us that together we can find the light even in the darkest of times.”
Into the Breeches! previews July 22, 2027, and runs through October 1, 2027.
Visit bard.org to get your tickets today!
2027 Directors in the Randall L. Jones Theatre
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce the directors for the 2027 productions in the Randall L. Jones Theatre. Three returning directors helm three very entertaining shows - don’t miss this musical, this comedy, and this comedic horror mashup!
The Drowsy Chaperone
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Randall L. Jones Theatre
A love letter to golden age musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone bursts with tap-dancing joy, witty parody, and infectious heart. As a reclusive musical theatre fan drops the needle on his favorite record, the show springs to life in his apartment—complete with glamorous stars, mistaken identities, and nonstop laughter. Equal parts satire and celebration, it’s an irresistible valentine to the magic of theatre.
Returning to the Festival is two-time Emmy Award-winning director, artist, and producer Alan Muraoka, who directed last season’s Something Rotten! and helmed a special Festival production of Gold Mountain in 2021. As an actor, he performed on Broadway seven times, including Disney’s Aladdin, The King and I, and Miss Saigon, as well as 27 years as Alan on Sesame Street. He was resident director of Off-Broadway’s Avenue Q, and his directing work has been featured at Olney Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, and Pioneer Theatre Company. He earned his BFA from UCLA and has received numerous awards including a 2026 Emmy Silver Circle Inductee Award, a GLAAD Media Award, and Carol Burnett Musical Comedy Award.
“I am so thrilled to be returning to the Festival for my third time, to direct The Drowsy Chaperone,” says Muraoka.“ This madcap and loving homage to musical theatre will delight audiences of all ages. A quirky and eccentric modern-day Man in the Chair, who is a musical theatre uber-fan, introduces us to one of his favorite musicals from the 1920’s and it comes to life vibrantly for us all to see. Filled with memorable tunes, antic humor, and tap dancing, if you liked last season’s Something Rotten!, you will love The Drowsy Chaperone.”
The Drowsy Chaperone previews on June 24, 2027 and runs through September 2, 2027.
Arsenic and Old Lace
By Joseph Kesselring
Randall L. Jones Theatre
Darkly hilarious and deliciously twisted, Arsenic and Old Lace follows two sweet elderly sisters who have a peculiarly dark and questionably charitable hobby. Their nephew Mortimer discovers their secret just as his deranged brother returns home, setting off a farcical chain of events. It’s a madcap comedy where good manners meet mayhem and murder has never been so charming.
Directed by returning Festival artist Aaron Galligan-Stierle, audiences may remember his direction of The 39 Steps in 2024 and nine seasons as an actor in such productions as Clue, Sweeney Todd, Ragtime, The Comedy of Errors, and Peter and the Starcatcher, among many others. His Broadway work includes roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, and The Grinch. He has also done a national tour of White Christmas and worked at the Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Papermill Playhouse, and PCLO. He is currently the head of BFA acting and musical theatre at Slippery Rock University and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
“Arsenic and Old Lace is wildly funny, and it lives or dies on character,” says Galligan-Stierle. “The Festival has the kind of ensemble of actors that makes every role––big or small––unforgettable. I couldn’t think of a better home for these two aunts and their very wacky family.”
Arsenic and Old Lace previews on June 25, 2027 and runs through October 1, 2027.
William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead
By John Heimbuch
Randall L. Jones Theatre
It’s London, 1599. Shakespeare’s Henry V has just opened at the Globe Theatre when a mysterious plague sweeps through the city—one that leaves its victims dead…and then decidedly not dead. Trapped inside a quarantined playhouse, Shakespeare and his company must battle the undead, rivalries, and their own ambitions in a thrilling race for survival.
The Festival’s Artistic Director John DiAntonio returns to direct this comedic horror mashup. He directed Twelfth Night last season and Macbeth in 2025, in addition to performing as Jack in Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise that same year and Petruchio in 2024’s The Taming of the Shrew. Prior to coming to Cedar City, he was the producing artistic director at Creede Repertory Theatre. Additional acting and directing credits include the Denver Center Theatre Company, The Arvada Center, and Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. He received his MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and also attended the British American Drama Academy. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
“What excites me most about William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead is that it offers the best of both worlds: a thrilling, wildly entertaining adventure for Shakespeare lovers and zombie fans alike, and a surprisingly profound look at Shakespeare’s company in 1599. At its heart, this play asks questions that are as relevant to theatre-makers today as they were 400 years ago: How do we balance artistic integrity with the demands of the marketplace? What do we owe our audiences, and what do we hope to leave behind? This play is a wonderfully entertaining reminder of just how much is at stake in making something that lasts.”
William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead previews on June 26, 2027 and runs through October 2, 2027.
Visit bard.org to get your tickets today!
2027 Directors in the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre and The Greenshow
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce the directors for the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre shows and The Greenshow for the upcoming 2027 season. With Shakespeare as our cornerstone, the Festival is excited to produce two of his most popular stories outdoors, along with an American classic perfect for this setting. Get ready for the family-friendly Greenshow and Shakespeare under the stars in the Engelstad Theatre!
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
Set amid the hysteria of the Salem witch trials, The Crucible transforms historical events into a searing allegory about paranoia, integrity, and power. As accusations fly and reputations crumble, one man’s moral stand becomes an act of defiance against collective fear. Miller’s taut drama lays bare the dangers of mass suspicion and the ease with which truth can be distorted.
Michael Perlman returns to the Festival this year to direct The Crucible after directing last season’s She Loves Me and 2025’s Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise. A New York-based writer and director, his work has been seen at Goodspeed Opera House, Cleveland Playhouse, Boise Contemporary Theatre, and Creede Repertory Theatre among others. He has been associate director for Noises Off on Broadway and at off-Broadway’s Roundabout Theatre, Barrow Street, and the Public Theatre. He has taught at Juilliard School of Drama as well as Brown University where he earned his BA and MFA. He is a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and is a Drama League Directing Fellow.
“What a gift it will be to get to create a production of The Crucible for the Engelstad stage. In the Engelstad, there is nowhere to hide – from the audience, nature, the world above, or oneself. Arthur Miller wrote one of the great American plays that explores what it means to face the truth about oneself and one’s community, and how easily the truth gets corrupted in moments of hysteria. How fitting that it be performed alongside plays by perhaps the greatest writer to explore the complexity of what it means to be human.”
The Crucible previews on June 21, 2027, and runs through September 2, 2027.
Henry V
By William Shakespeare
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
A rousing tale of leadership, courage, and unity, Henry V follows the young king as he rallies England to an unlikely victory over France at Agincourt. Through fiery speeches, Shakespeare captures both the glory and the cost of war. The play is a sweeping story of transformation—from reckless prince to noble leader—and asks what it truly means to be a hero.
Directed by Festival veteran Geoffrey Kent, Henry V is one of Shakespeare’s best known history plays. Patrons will recognize Kent from his acting roles in past seasons including Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra, Duke Frederick in As You Like It, and various roles in Macbeth. He also directed See How They Run last season, The Play That Goes Wrong in 2023, and has served as fight director and acted in numerous other shows since 2009. His work has also been seen at Lone Tree Arts Center, DCPA Broadway, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Arvada Center, among others. He has taught at University of Northern Colorado and University of Denver, and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDCS).
“I cannot wait to bring some unique ensemble-forward staging to a play our audiences know so well,” says Kent. “Our show lives on the idea of Henry V’s opening night at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. A 1600’s company tells a 1400’s play with a pack of actors that switch from English to French and back again.”
Henry V previews on June 22, 2027, and runs through September 3, 2027.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
Sir John Falstaff hatches a scheme to woo two wealthy women for their money—only to find himself the target of their hilarious revenge. Set in a bustling English town, The Merry Wives of Windsor brims with mischief, mistaken identities, and middle-class triumph. Shakespeare’s most purely comic play celebrates wit, love, and the joy of comeuppance.
Directing is Carolyn Howarth, a returning artist who helmed last season’s Troilus and Cressida, Antony and Cleopatra in 2025, and The Winter’s Tale in 2024. Her amazing work has also been seen at Colorado Shakespeare Festival where she spent 14 seasons. She has also directed at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and Foothill Theatre Company where she served as artistic director. Her teaching credits include University of South Carolinal, University of Alabama, and UC Davis. She earned her BA and MFA from UC Davis and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor is a knockabout comedy - a full cornucopia of high jinx, joy, and vitality. It abounds with small details of domestic life, beloved characters, and truly audacious situations. It’s belly-roll funny!”
The Merry Wives of Windsor previews on June 23, 2027 and runs through September 4, 2027.
Visit bard.org to get your tickets today!
The Greenshow
Greenshow Commons
Prepare for delightful summer evenings of stories, music, and dance with three new shows on the green. Festival veteran Trey Plutnicki returns to direct and choreograph these shows as the perfect way to get in a theatrical mood before the mainstage evening shows and perfect for the whole family.
Plutnicki served as director and choreographer of The Greenshow in 2026, and choreographer of previous Greenshows and various mainstage shows in 2024 and 2025, and as a member of the acting company in 2019 and 2021. He has also worked with Drury Lane Productions, Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.
“The Greenshow at the Festival has always been about community. This season, we hope to continue the tradition with more sing-a-longs, dance-a-longs, and more ways to celebrate with your neighbor. We can’t wait to share brand new Greenshows!”
The Greenshow previews on June 21, 2027 and runs through September 4, 2027.
See How the Worlds Intertwine: Learn About the 2027 Season
Our 2027 season titles connect in ways you might not expect. With shared text, related themes, and unexpected character bridges, we unspooled the red string across the board to trace the intertwining worlds from show to show.
From Shakespeare and contemporary dramas to comedies and a Golden Age musical, one story directly ignites the next. And be sure to watch closely! Early insider secrets and exciting Easter eggs are waiting for you to discover.
Henry V
By William Shakespeare
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
June 22 - September 3, 2027
A rousing tale of leadership, courage, and unity, Henry V follows the young king as he rallies England to an unlikely victory over France at Agincourt. Through fiery speeches, Shakespeare captures both the glory and the cost of war. The play is a sweeping story of transformation—from reckless prince to noble leader—and asks what it truly means to be a hero.
Into the Breeches!
By George Brant
Anes Studio Theatre
July 22 - October 1, 2027
When the men of a Shakespeare theater company leave to fight in World War II, a group of inexperienced actresses step in to save the season. Determined to mount an all-female production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V, they embark on a hilarious and heartfelt journey of confidence, community, and purpose. This uplifting comedy celebrates the power of art and the connections that sustain us in difficult times.
William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead
By John Heimbuch
Randall L. Jones Theatre
June 26 - October 2, 2027
London, 1599. Shakespeare’s Henry V has just opened at the Globe Theatre when a mysterious plague sweeps through the city—one that leaves its victims dead… and then decidedly not dead. Trapped inside a quarantined playhouse, Shakespeare and his company must battle the undead, rivalries, and their own ambitions in a thrilling race for survival. This fast-paced mash-up of Elizabethan history, sharp comedy, and zombie horror is unlike anything else you’ve seen before.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
June 23 - September 4, 2027
Sir John Falstaff hatches a scheme to woo two wealthy women for their money—only to find himself the target of their hilarious revenge. Set in a bustling English town, The Merry Wives of Windsor brims with mischief, mistaken identities, and middle-class triumph. Shakespeare’s most purely comic play celebrates wit, love, and the joy of comeuppance.
The Two Noble Kinsmen
By William Shakespeare and John Fletcher
Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre
July 21 - October 2, 2027
A rarely produced Shakespearean gem—and the only Shakespeare play never before produced by the Utah Shakespeare Festival—The Two Noble Kinsmen follows two devoted friends whose bond is shattered when they fall in love with the same woman. Set in ancient Greece, this sweeping tale of romance, rivalry, honor, and obsession explores how desire can transform even the noblest of hearts.
The Drowsy Chaperone
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg MorrisonBook by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Randall L. Jones Theatre
June 24 - September 4, 2027
A love letter to golden-age musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone bursts with tap-dancing joy, witty parody, and infectious heart. As a reclusive musical theatre fan drops the needle on his favorite record, the show springs to life in his apartment—complete with glamorous stars, mistaken identities, and nonstop laughter. Equal parts satire and celebration, it’s an irresistible valentine to the magic of theatre.
Arsenic and Old Lace
By Joseph Kesselring
Randall L. Jones Theatre
June 25 - October 1, 2027
Darkly hilarious and deliciously twisted, Arsenic and Old Lace follows two sweet elderly sisters who have a peculiar dark hobby. Their nephew Mortimer discovers their secret just as his deranged brother returns home, setting off a farcical chain of events. It’s a madcap comedy where good manners meet mayhem and murder has never been so charming.
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre
June 21 - September 2, 2027
Set amid the hysteria of the Salem witch trials, The Crucible transforms historical events into a searing allegory about paranoia, integrity, and power. As accusations fly and reputations crumble, one man’s moral stand becomes an act of defiance against collective fear. Miller’s taut drama lays bare the dangers of mass suspicion and the ease with which truth can be distorted.
All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain
Created and Performed by Patrick Page
Directed by Simon Godwin
Eccles Music Center - Okerlund Hall
July 28 - August 7, 2027
Dubbed “The villain of Broadway” by Playbill, Patrick Page has never shied away from exploring his dark side. Now, with this tour de force show, he turns his attention to the twisted motivation and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains. Moving swiftly through the Shakespeare canon, Page illuminates the playwright’s ever-evolving conception of evil by delving into more than a dozen of his most wicked creations. Thrilling, biting, hilarious, and enlightening, what Page delivers is a masterclass on the most terrifying subject of them all: human nature. Created and performed by Patrick Page, and directed by Simon Godwin, the duo brings the fullness of Shakespeare to life in this dynamic, contemporary, and accessible take on Shakespeare’s villains, promising an evening of mesmerizing artistry, powerful storytelling, and a rare intimacy that will redefine your perception of Shakespeare and his villains. Following each performance, the audience is invited to 15-20 minute talkback, moderated by Patrick, to explore the world of Shakespeare’s villains and his relationship to them more intimately.
2026 Fall Food Drive Results
A huge thank you to Utah Shakespeare Festival guests this fall who contributed over 3,000 pounds of food to the Festival’s 22nd Annual Fall Food Drive. Between September 8 through October 3, 2026, residents of Iron, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Piute, and Beaver counties in Utah and Lincoln County in Nevada were encouraged to take part in the drive. They donated six items of nonperishable food to receive a half-price ticket to a Festival production.
This food drive benefits the local food pantry, the Iron County Care and Share, which was founded in 1984 by a group of local churches of different denominations to address the issue of hunger in our community. Working with local partners, neighboring counties, and other state entities, the Iron County Care and Share is able to help homeless and low-income individuals and families work toward self-sufficiency. The Iron County Care and Share is located at 900 North 222 West in Cedar City, Utah. Monetary donations are always accepted. Donate to the organization.
Festival Costume Director Jeff Lieder Retires After Four Decades with the Organization
By Liz Armstrong Jenkins, guest writer
After 41 years with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Costume Director Jeff Lieder is retiring. We congratulate him on four decades of success and express our heartfelt gratitude for the instrumental work he has done season after season at the Festival.
Lieder joined the Festival the summer after his first year teaching at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Sandy Robbins was the casting director at the Festival that season, and he proposed the idea of Lieder coming to Utah during his summer off. After a phone call with then-producing director Doug Cook, he was on a flight to Utah, despite having never visited the state. Lieder fell in love with Cedar City and the people and returned season after season.
“Soon after arriving, I kind of fell in love with the place,” Lieder said. “I didn’t realize, 40 years ago that I was gonna end up making my life here, but it just became a really lovely place to work with a satisfying artistic environment and wonderful people.”
Lieder was a professor of theatre for over 30 years and plans to continue to guest teach. He will be teaching a millinery class at Florida State University and a resume portfolio workshop at University of Mississippi in the coming year.
“I was able to tie in the work at the university and my teaching, to the work here, and give the students a professional opportunity to work in a really, really good theatre,” Lieder said.
He believes his connections in the world of education were instrumental in the talent brought to the Festival and the work that was achieved over his 40 years spent in Cedar City.
Lieder was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award for Costume Design and Technology from the United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT) in 2020. The following year, Lieder was made a fellow of the Institute––an incredible and well-deserved honor.
“Well, that was a remarkable distinction. I was totally surprised and flattered,” Lieder said.
On top of his responsibilities as Costume Director, Lieder also undertook an immense project in 2024, working to catalogue every costume piece the Festival has created and stored. The Custom Costume Inventory project was created by Randy Handley and implemented by Lieder.
“We barcode the costumes, photograph them, document them, and then have a visual searchable inventory database,” Lieder explained. “I’m eager to leave that in good hands with somebody in the future––it’s a really labor intensive process.”
Although the system has been created and implemented the past couple of years, Lieder expresses that there is an immense amount of work to be done and doesn’t think it will be completed without the help of a grant or volunteer work.
“It’s like if you were running a library all by yourself and you got 1,000 new books every year, and you had to catalog those books all by yourself [while going through a backlog of years and years of other books],” Lieder said.
Regarding the years he spent at the Festival, Lieder expresses that it is difficult to choose a standout season. However, he reflects fondly on the 2012 season and his work on the productions Stones in His Pockets and Les Miserables. This past season also holds a special place in his heart, perhaps because he knew it would be his last full season at the Festival, specifically for the play Troilus and Cressida.
Over the years, Lieder also became known for leading the Festival’s bi-weekly Costume Seminars. He was a favorite of both new and returning patrons for his knowledge and humor about designing, building, and maintaining the productions’ elaborate costumes.
Lieder will remain in Cedar City, where he moved to full-time when he retired from teaching. Although he is technically retiring from his Festival position in the next month, Lieder will return to volunteer for the 2027 season work on costumes for The Two Noble Kinsman, as he hasn’t done that particular play of Shakespeare’s.
“It’s also exciting because Britannia Howe is directing, and I’ve known her since she was a child,” Lieder said, remarking how the show will feel full circle. “And Tori Niemiec is designing costumes, and Tori was a young student when they first came to the Festival as an employee––I recruited them from Northern Arizona University.”
Reflecting over his years at the Festival, Lieder kept remarking on the connections and friendships he’s made.
“The most important thing is the connections I’ve made here that have really sustained my creative work and allowed me to make a life here with a wonderful circle of friends from Cedar City and around the country,” Lieder said. “And, at the cornerstone and center of all of that was Fred Adams––he has been an inspiration to me.”
That friendship with Festival founder Fred C. Adams and his mentorships from other past Festival leaders Cam Harvey, Doug Cook, and Scott Phillips were critical to Lieder’s growth “in every aspect” of his life.
“For over four decades, Jeff’s aesthetic and leadership set the standard for artistic excellence in the Costume department of the Festival,” says Festival Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr. “Jeff, as a major leader in the field, hired and trained generations of costumers, who came from all over the country. After working at the Festival they would then work in other shops, at universities and theatre companies, across the industry, cultivating leaders throughout the theatre world. We are so blessed that the Festival became his home and are grateful for his expertise and passion that have created the legacy of costumes and quality performance at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.”
In his retirement, Lieder also has several trips to Europe planned and is working on a production of The Lord of the Rings in 2027 at the Hale Center Theatre. Throughout it all, Lieder plans to continue to be involved with the Festival in the years to come.
The Festival has been extremely lucky to have Lieder as part of the company over the past 41 years. We look forward to maintaining connections in the future and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Results of 2026 Shakespeare Competition
As North America’s largest scholastic Shakespeare event, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University hosted the 49th annual Shakespeare Competition which drew nearly 3,000 students from 99 schools across Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin, and was supported by over 300 dedicated coaches and teachers.
From October 1 to 3, participants presented their work before more than 80 expert judges—including seasoned arts professionals and company members from the Festival’s 2026 season. The competition offers training, feedback, and recognition for students in grades 2 through 12 across four disciplines: acting, dance/choreography, music, and technical theatre. Top performers earned trophies, plaques, and scholarships to study alongside industry professionals at Southern Utah University and the Festival.
Schools competed across six distinct divisions: Buckingham (large schools), Oxford (medium schools), Cambridge (medium-small schools), Westminster (small schools), Stratford (junior high and middle schools), and Essex (independent or non-association groups).
“This weekend was truly inspiring,” said Education Director Stewart Shelley. “Seeing so many young artists connect deeply with theatre and Shakespeare is a privilege. It’s an honor to celebrate their exceptional work and watch them thrive in a community that shares their passion.”
ACTING COMPETITION
For the acting portion of the competition, students compete in monologues, duo/trio scenes, and ensembles. Monologue competitors present a two- to four-minute monologue from a Shakespeare play or sonnet for the judges. In the duo/trio scenes competition, two or three actors present a three- to five-minute scene from a Shakespeare play or sonnet. In the ensemble competition, a group of students from a school present a six- to ten-minute Shakespeare scene.
In addition, first, second, and third place overall sweepstake prizes were awarded to the school in each division with the most total points from all categories.
Also, several scholarships are presented in the acting competition.
The first place winners in the duo/trio scene and monologue categories are awarded scholarships to either Southern Utah University or the Utah Shakespeare Festival summer classes, depending on the grade of the student.
Ray Jones Award: Given to seniors, this award is a $1,000 scholarship to Southern Utah University.
Barbara Barrett Award: Given to juniors and under, this award is a $500 scholarship to the Festival’s summer acting intensive Actor Training Camp or Junior Actor Training Camp.
Larry Lott Acting Award: In conjunction with the ensemble competition, judges annually recognize the best actor in an ensemble scene in each division. The recipient of this award received a trophy for his or her accomplishments and, if a senior, a $1,000 scholarship to SUU.
Here are the winners for the Acting Competition.
BUCKINGHAM DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Skyridge High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Riverton High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: American Fork High School
Ensemble First Place: American Fork High School
Ensemble Second Place: Westlake High School
Ensemble Third Place: Skyridge High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Liam Huff and Lily Neff from Taylorsville High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Liam Gasser and Nicci Hudson from American Fork High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Cade Huizingh, Colin Haslam, and Trenton Lundberg from Riverton High School
Monologue First Place: Chloe Robbins from Skyridge High School
Monologue Second Place: TJ Chisholm from Skyridge High School
Monologue Third Place: Carlos Boscán from Riverton High School
Barbara Barrett Award: Liam Huff and Lily Neff from Taylorsville High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Drake Nelsen from American Fork High School
OXFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Hillcrest High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Brighton High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
Ensemble First Place: Hillcrest High School
Ensemble Second Place: Brighton High School
Ensemble Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Ginger Witkamp, Nico Hodgson, and Sebastian Smith from Hillcrest High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Jaden Nelson and Liam King Brigham from Hunter High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Hyrum Lafeen and Winter Chafetz from Brighton High School
Monologue First Place: Arnav Nair from Hillcrest High School
Monologue Second Place: Elle Stotts from Corner Canyon High School
Monologue Third Place: Grace Scoville from Woods Cross High School
Barbara Barrett Award: Arnav Nair from Hillcrest High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Alex Droukas from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: North Sanpete High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Timpanogos High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Jordan High School
Ensemble First Place: North Sanpete High School
Ensemble Second Place: Jordan High School
Ensemble Third Place: Timpanogos High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Kamron Cox, Nolun Nielsen, and Tavian Smith from North Sanpete High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Adrian Perez and Andrew Richardson from Summit Academy High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Ellie Thompson, Jane Wren, and Zoey Fletcher from Provo High School
Monologue First Place: Emmy Jensen from Provo High School
Monologue Second Place: Annika Amodt from Hurricane High School
Monologue Third Place: R. Henry Keele from Jordan High School
Barbara Barrett: Emmy Jensen from Provo High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Misty Bailey from North Sanpete High School
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
Sweepstakes Third Place: Rockwell Charter High School
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Second Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
Ensemble Third Place: Rockwell Charter High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Clark Heinrich, Katira Davis, and Sadie McGhie from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Brigham Ker, Brogan Juber, Ryker Trumble from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Avery Stewart, Maddy Watabe, and Mariah Draper Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy-High School
Monologue First Place: Taebria Bybee from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Monologue Second Place: Sophi Jones from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Monologue Third Place: Echo Alvarado from City Academy
Ray Jones Award: Taebria Bybee from Liahona Preparatory Academy
Larry Lott Acting Award: McKenna Devanney from Rockwell Charter High School
STRATFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Vista Heights Middle School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Ensemble First Place (tie): Vista Heights Middle School
Ensemble First Place (tie): Vista School
Ensemble Second Place: Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Ensemble Third Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Annie Kotter, Jonah Keele, and Levi Hilmo from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Norah Davidson and Teagan Snow from Lake Mountain Middle
Duo Trio Scenes Third Place: Kennedi Karslven and Kyleen Engman from Vista Heights Middle School
Monologue First Place: Quincy Skousen from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Monologue Second Place: June Harrison from Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Monologue Third Place: Cassandra Brown from Rocky Mountain Shakespeare Co. Junior High
Barbara Barrett Award: Quincy Skousen from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy Middle School
Larry Lott Award: Jaden Bartlett from Lake Mountain Middle School
ESSEX DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: First Stage Young Company
Sweepstakes Second Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Sweepstakes Third Place: SALT Shakers
Ensemble First Place: First Stage Young Company
Ensemble Second Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Ensemble Third Place: SALT Shakers
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Ariella Fiederer and Clara Goni Beneke from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Ava Rowley, Brooke Lundstrom, Mark Hokanson from The Kaleidoscope Collective
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Abigail Cashman and Evie Maasen and First Stage Young Company
Monologue First Place: Natalie Ottman from First Stage Young Company
Monologue Second Place: Elsa Johnstone from First Stage Young Company
Monologue Third Place: Lillian Pilstl from Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Barbara Barrett Award: Ariella Fiederer from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Ray Jones Award: Clara Goni Beneke from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Larry Lott Award: Paisley Stillman from Anchor Academy
DANCE/CHOREOGRAPHY COMPETITION
For the dance portion, students were able to compete in duo/trio or ensemble groups. In the duo/trio competition, two or three dancers presented a three- to six-minute interpretation of a Shakespeare play or sonnet. In the ensemble competition, a group of dancers interpreted a three- to six-minute Shakespeare play or sonnet.
Here are the winners for the Dance/Choreography Competition:
BUCKINGHAM DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Skyridge High School
Ensemble Second Place: Lone Peak High School
Ensemble Third Place: Westlake High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Alexa Valladares, Brinley Young, and Emilyn Johnson from Skyridge High School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Amelia Allan, Dara Rossiter, and Mylie Makin from Lone Peak High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Chloe Norris, Kamryn Schoepke, Nora Mendenhall from Skyridge High School
OXFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Olympus High School
Ensemble Second Place: Kearns High School
Ensemble Third Place: Timpview High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Allison Dominguez, Haley Wood, and Madilyn Filby from Kearns High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Lillian Young, Mariia Voronetska, and Shaylee Elder from Timpview High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Alyse Allred, Libby Bruschke, and Octavia Gordon from Olympus High School.
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Timpanogos High School
Ensemble Second Place: Orem High School
Ensemble Third Place: Provo High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Alivia Dean, Lucy Keller, and Sophie Cutler from Orem high School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Avery Greene, Emily Nielson, and Raegyn Burrup from Timpanogos High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Ashlyn Burrup, Kristen Ehat, and Shelby Duke from Timpanogos High School
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Second Place: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Third Place: Juan Diego Catholic High School
Duo/Trio First Place: James Fox and Jordan Hurley from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Eliza George and Liesel Hanson from Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Audrey Cole and Hannah Klaja from Intermountain Christian School
STRATFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Vista School
Ensemble Second Place: Lake Mountain Middle School
Ensemble Third Place: NA
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Jax Davis, Loya Wainwright, and Marshall Bracey from Vista School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Allie Dow, Kate Collins, Sophia Valdez from Lake Mountain Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Claire Jacobsen and Mckinley Larsen from Crimson Cliffs Middle School
ESSEX DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Youth Theatre at the University of Utah
Ensemble Second Place: Youth Leaders for America
Ensemble Third Place: Ogden Shakespeare Festival - Arden Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Clara Goñi Beneke, Isaac Wandrey, Lillyan Lacey from Ogden Shakespeare Festival - Arden Academy
MUSIC COMPETITION
The music competition encourages students to explore the music of the Renaissance (music prior to 1650). Students were encouraged to utilize creative combinations of instruments; however, no instrumentation was required. The competition was split into four divisions: Troubadour (one to five participants), Minstrel (six to ten participants), Canzonetta (six to 16 participants), and Madrigal (17 plus participants). Choral pieces could be up to ten minutes in length.
Here are the winners for the Music Competition:
LARGE SCHOOLS
TROUBADOUR
First Place: Cache Diederich, Chloe Maddox, Danica Herring, Elle Stotts, and Isaac Nichols from Corner Canyon High School
Second Place: Alex Bown, Courtney Bradfield, Haedyn Fox, Scarlett Bohls, and Taya Dean from Herriman High School
Third Place: Enzo Stokes, Lonami Herrera Alejo, and Titus Tyler from Jordan High School
MINSTREL
First Place: Payson High School
Second Place: Herriman High School
Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
CANZONETTA
First Place: Payson High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Herriman High School
MADRIGAL
First Place: Herriman High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Jordan High School
SWEEPSTAKES
First Place: Corner Canyon High School
Second Place: Herriman High School
Third Place: Jordan High School
SMALL SCHOOLS
TROUBADOUR
First Place: Lindsay Grimshaw from Canyon View High School
Second Place: Ashley Bautista, Clara Whatcott, Draco Magdaleno, Kaysha Jean Baptiste, and Sam Rusby from Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: Angela Hastings, Aurora Hamilton, Presley Taylor Call, and Scarlet Thomason from City Academy
MINSTREL
First Place: City Academy
Second Place: Pacifica Christian High School
CANZONETTA
First Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Second Place: Desert Star High School
Third Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - High School
MADRIGAL
First Place: Canyon View High School
Second Place: Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
SWEEPSTAKES
First Place: Canyon View High School
Second Place: Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: City Academy
TECHNICAL THEATRE COMPETITION
The final competition was in the technical theatre area for students who work behind-the-scenes creating sound, lighting, props, scenery, make-up, and costumes. In the portfolio area, students were given the chance to have their technical and/or design portfolios evaluated by professionals in technical theatre. Technical theatre students were able to compete in Tech Olympics, with winners named in costumes, lighting, make-up, props, rigging, set construction, sound, and stage management. Overall school winners were also named. The best portfolio and runners-up were also recognized.
TECH OLYMPICS––INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
Costumes: Layla Anderson from Riverton High School
Lighting: Eli Skinner from Hillcrest High School
Make-up: Araceli Ibarra from Mountain Ridge High School
Props: Lena Seely from Alta High School
Rigging: Isaac Nichols from Corner Canyon High School
Carpentry: Gaige Dupaix from Mountain Ridge High School
Audio: Stuart Ellingford from Orem High School
Stage Management: Grace Scoville from Woods Cross High School
TECH OLYMPICS––OVERALL WINNERS
First Place (Gold Drill): Hillcrest High School (Overall Time = 9 min 35 sec)
Second Place (Silver Spotlight): Orem High School (Overall Time = 12 min 00 sec)
Third Place (Bronze Boot): Mountain Ridge High School (Overall Time = 12 min 47 sec)
TECH PORTFOLIO WINNERS
Overall Winner: Rowan Willis from Hillcrest High School
Runners-up: Kaden Vidovic-Jones from Hillcrest High School
Third Place: Ioanna Ge from The Meadows School
For more information on the Shakespeare Competition, visit competition.bard.org.
To Our Local Friends: 2026 Fall Food Drive is Here
The Utah Shakespeare Festival returns with its 22nd annual Fall Food Drive, taking place from September 8 through October 3.
The Festival is again collaborating with Iron County Care and Share to make a meaningful impact in the community by supplying food to those who need it most.
Residents of Iron, Beaver, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Piute, and Lincoln counties are invited to donate and join in for a good cause. For every six non-perishable food items donated along with proof of residency, guests receive a half-price ticket to a play of their choice.
This special offer replaces the standard local discount for the duration of the food drive. There is no limit on the number of half-off tickets local guests can get. Tickets for shows in the Randall L. Jones Theatre (the musicals She Loves Me and Something Rotten!) may be reserved in advance. Tickets for shows in the Anes Studio Theatre (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and The Book Club Play) and closing performances in both theatres may only be reserved for day-of performances. Please also note that premier seating is not available for this promotion.
“We love that this partnership is an annual tradition,” says Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr. “We are proud to support Iron County Care and Share in their essential mission of caring for our neighbors who face food insecurity and homelessness.”
Iron County Care and Share is a private, non-profit organization located in Cedar City dedicated to providing compassionate assistance and resources to individuals and families in need, offering them exits from crises and pathways to increase their stability and self-sufficiency.
It was founded in 1984 by local churches to address hunger in the community, and over 40 years later, the Care and Share is still working to help those in need.
Through this food drive, the Festival typically receives contributions of at least 2,500 pounds of food each year for the Iron County Care and Share. Monetary donations are also accepted. Click here to donate to the Iron County Care and Share.
To participate, residents can bring food items and proof of residency to the Festival Ticket Office, open 10am–5pm on Mondays and 10am–8pm Tuesday through Saturday, or by calling 800-PLAYTIX (800-752-9849). This offer is not valid online, retroactive, or combinable with other offers and is subject to availability.
Double the Drama: Utah Shakespeare Festival’s BOGO Sale is Here!
Fall theatre is right around the corner, and we’re making it easier than ever to bring a friend to the Festival! From September 1 through September 12, buy one ticket and get the second one FREE* for select 2026 performances using promo code BOGO26.
BOGO Details
- Sale Dates: September 1 – September 12 at 11:59pm
- How to Book: Online at bard.org or over the phone at 800-752-9849
- Promo Code: BOGO26
- Restrictions Apply*
Eligible Performances
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All Performances of: She Loves Me and Something Rotten!
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Limited Availability on These Selected Dates:
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- Sept. 10 at 2pm
- Sept. 24 at 2pm
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Sept. 15 at 8:00pm(BOGO availability limit reached. Quick, select another date!)- Sept. 16 at 8:00pm
- Sept. 23 at 8:00pm
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How to Redeem Online
- Choose the production you’d like to attend from the options above.
- Select your preferred date.
- Above the seat selection map, click “Click to Enter Promo Code” and enter BOGO26.
- Pick your seat, then select the ticket type “50% General Discount (Buy One…”.
- Repeat step 4 to select your second seat. Tickets must be selected in pairs for the discount to apply. The two tickets may be for the same or different performance.
- Click “Add to Order” and proceed to checkout—or add more shows to your cart!
*Offer valid on select 2026 performance dates only. Promotion ends September 12 at 11:59pm or when supplies sell out. Excluding premier seating. Standard fees apply. Subject to change and availability. Tickets are nonrefundable and can’t be exchanged. Offer not retroactive and cannot be combined with other discounts.
Local Favorites Supply Concessions Items This Season
By Liz Armstrong Jenkins, guest writer
Shakespeare may bring the drama, but some of Cedar City’s favorite local eateries are bringing the flavor to this season’s concessions lineup. Alongside the Festival’s legendary tarts, patrons can now sample signature treats from favorite local places like The French Spot, Palette Bakery, and Ganache-d, in addition to local vendors like Nancy Lou’s Buttermints and Red Rock Chocolates.
“Our guests come to the Festival for an experience they cannot get anywhere else,” Concessions Manager Jimmy Twitchell said. “By featuring local products, we add a sense of place and community that elevates the entire visit.”
Park Place Eatery is back, having created our delicious and traditional tarts for the Festival for the past few seasons. Flavors include cherry berry, lemon, cream cheese, and apple.
“I remember traveling from Arizona to the Festival when I was young and enjoying the tarts,” said Park Place Eatery owner Cullaine Boone. “Now to be a part of it is amazing. We are honored and blessed to work alongside the Festival.”
In honor of the 65th season, Palette Bakery––another local favorite––is providing a new, personal Charcuterie Board with artisan meats and cheeses, dried fruits, olives, fresh herbs, and chocolate on a 65th Anniversary Commemorative Board. Twitchell highly recommends this charcuterie board, calling it a “standout this season.”
The French Spot is contributing yummy macarons in a variety of flavors like raspberry, coffee, coconut, mint, pistachio, rose water, and cheesecake. Also there are indulgent brownies by Ganache-d with flavors varying weekly, including triple chocolate, lemon raspberry, red velvet, mint, peanut butter, cookie dough, and coconut. Both are popular eateries in Cedar City.
Perhaps most exciting of all is the ice cream that has been added to the Randall L. Jones Theatre, once again sourced from Palette Bakery. Try the She Loves Me Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for the ultimate play experience. Ice cream sandwiches offer unique flavors like blackberry lavender with a cinnamon lavender shortbread, cardamom ginger with a ginger snap cookie, and chocolate macaron and pistachio ice cream.
New this year are Nancy Lou’s Buttermints, owned and operated by Ramona Jessop in Beaver, Utah. What started out as a personal project in a little back kitchen has grown into full-fledged production now found in over 100 stores. The Festival offers numerous flavors including coffee, cinnamon, key lime, vanilla mint, and lemon.
Red Rock Chocolates––founded by Jake Potter of Enoch, Utah––are also new on the menu this year. A local bean-to-bar craft chocolate business, it uses cocoa beans from around the world. The variety of soils in such places as Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, and Indonesia help to achieve their unique flavors.
“Local vendors bring a quality that mass-produced products simply cannot match,” Twitchell said. “Concessions are far more than a convenience, they are an integral part of the Festival experience.”
The Festival spends an immense amount of time on the details with our patrons in mind. It is in all aspects of theatre, from acting and directing to set, costume, and sound design. It is even in the concessions, ensuring that each moment spent at the Festival ensures a quality experience.
“A world-famous tart in hand during The Greenshow, a local crafted treat at intermission, or a beautifully created charcuterie board before the curtain rises. . . these moments become part of the memory guests take home,” Twitchell said.
“Our local vendor partnerships bring the flavors of southern Utah to the table, and our traditional British treats connect guests to the Elizabethan heritage that makes the Festival unique,” Twitchell concluded.
To purchase tickets to the 2026 Season, visit bard.org, call 800-PLAYTIX, or visit the Ticket Office today.
To find out more about these vendors, please visit their sites: