Elizabeth Telford and Michael Beeck- Guest Bloggers
Happy Independence Day! We hope each one of you enjoy a safe and fun-filled holiday.
Today, the Utah Shakespeare Festival would like to introduce Elizabeth Telford, a member of the Festival’s acting company.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
I have! I was here last year in The Greenshow, and in the Ensemble of Les Miserables. I was also in the cast for the educational tour of Romeo and Juliet this past winter/spring. I played Lady Capulet, Samson, Peter, and the Apothecary.
Where’s your home base?
That’s a difficult question to answer, because I don’t really have one. I’ve been a nomad since I graduated college, floating around from job to job, and I’ve been lucky enough to have consistent work. I have a few boxes stored at my parents’ house in Georgia, but other than that, any place I hang my hat is home!
What’s your educational/training background?
I have a BFA in musical theatre from Shorter University in Rome, GA, and I did an acting internship at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre for their 2011-2012 season.
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
After Les Miserables in the fall season at USF, I went back to Milwaukee to play Maria in The Sound of Music at Skylight Music Theatre, and then I headed back to Cedar City to start rehearsals for the educational tour of Romeo and Juliet. We finished the tour a little less than two weeks before rehearsals started for the summer season.
How will you spend your time off while here?
I plan to do some hiking while I’m here, and I enjoy making paper flowers and doing other crafty things, so I’ll be doing some of that.
Describe what live theatre means to you.
Because it’s live, theatre is unpredictable and dangerous, and there is only so much that we as the cast and crew can control. I think that’s part of what makes theatre so special; it’s a communal experience between us and the audience, and it will never be the same twice. That’s what makes it so terrifying and so thrilling.
Describe what the Festival means to you.
Working with the Festival these past two years has been a dream. The quality of work and the professionalism of everyone involved is spectacular, and the community is so warm and welcoming that it really makes me feel like I’m a part of something special. It’s a blessing and an honor.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
It’s going to be a great season!
We’d also like to introduce Michael Beeck, an upright bass and bass guitarist for us this season.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
This is my second year back at USF. I was hired on last year as the replacement bassist for Les Miserables, and was asked back this year as a full season musician.
Where’s your home base?
Sheboygan, WI (A small city an hour north of Milwaukee and an hour south of Green Bay.)
What’s your educational/training background?
Double Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Work and Sociology, minor in Music. Previous private lesson instructors include Bradley Townsend (Madison Symphony Orchestra), Laura Synder (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), and Andrew Raciti (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra).
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
Boys and Girls Club of Sheboygan County - Youth Development Specialist; Server at the Black Pig Restaurant; Section String Bassist with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra; Pit Orchestra String Bassist for Sweeney Todd (Sheboygan Theatre Company).
How will you spend your time off while here?
Pridefest in Salt Lake City; Hiking the various trails surrounding Cedar City; Weekend vacations to Las Vegas; Exploring all that Cedar City has to offer.
Describe what live theatre means to you.
In my opinion, there are no mistakes in live theatre - that’s why in musical scores vamps and safeties are planned for actors.
Describe what the Festival means to you.
The Festival is an amazing experience for me to be myself as a professional, interact with many eclectic and unique individuals, and have fun working 3 months straight. The Utah Shakespeare Festival is not just a festival in a plain sense, but a beautiful experience that brings theatre to life.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
Facebook.com/MichaelKraigBeeck
