From Campus to Center Stage: SUU’s Impact on The Greenshow

By Katie Neves, guest writer

Since its beginning in 1961, the Utah Shakespeare Festival has always been closely connected with Southern Utah University in Cedar City. Founded by professor Fred C. Adams and initially performed primarily by college students, the Festival has grown hand-in-hand with its academic partner over the past six decades.

This year, that tradition continues: for the first time in a very long time every Greenshow performer––along with director Britannia Howe––is either a current SUU student or alumnus. These talented performers bring their passion from the classroom to the stage, embodying the Festival’s strong commitment to students and the university.

The members of this year’s Greenshow cast (in the accompanying photo; top row, left to right) are Gracelyn Erickson, Matthew Wangemann, Zac Barnaby, Ashley Aquino, (then front row) Emily Wheeler, and Rockwell MacGillivray.

For many of these performers, their first exposure to the Festival—and to SUU—was through USF’s annual Shakespeare Competition. “I fell in love with SUU and its campus [while] spending three years competing,” said Wheeler, who won the Larry Lott Scholarship to SUU her senior year. “What drew me to SUU was the Festival. I loved watching The Greenshows and other productions while competing here in high school.”

Erickson also discovered the school through the competition. “I immediately fell in love with the beautiful campus, the stunning Beverley Center for the Arts, and the welcoming atmosphere. Honestly, I don’t think I even toured any other colleges. I just knew that I wanted to go to SUU.”

Years ago, the Festival and SUU created a fellowship program for acting and technical theatre, allowing students the opportunity to work in a professional theatre setting while still pursuing their degrees. Those interested in the acting fellowship submit a video audition and wait for months to be accepted into the program. Aquino, who came to SUU for its theatre program, was one of the fellowship’s recipients last year. “I auditioned every year while I was attending SUU for a spot,” she said. “I was lucky enough to get chosen my senior year.”

The Greenshow director Britannia Howe is also a proud SUU alum, and a current Assistant Professor of Theatre. During the university’s fall 2023 semester she directed a production of Ride the Cyclone, which featured several of this season’s Greenshow performers. Wheeler cites her experience in the show as the driving factor behind her current work with the Festival. “Britannia inspired me to strengthen my work ethic, believe in myself, and create meaningful art. So, when she encouraged me and my fellow cast mates to audition for the Festival, I jumped at the opportunity to potentially work with her again.”

The Greenshow, as conceptualized by creator Barbara Adams in 1961, exists to easily immerse guests into the enchanting world of live theatre. With a special focus on accessibility and engagement, it’s the perfect setting for building connections and sparking inspiration. “I believe that the goal of The Greenshow is to motivate. It motivates children to…learn from playing and be storytellers. It motivates adults to find their inner child and find the sparkle in life,” said Erickson. “It motivates patrons to see the mainstage shows by welcoming them to the Festival with open arms.”

For these students and alums, The Greenshow is more than just an opportunity for performing; it’s about community and connection. “I think the ultimate goal of The Greenshow is to be a gift to the community,” said Wangemann. “We offer a free thirty-minute show six nights a week for families to come laugh and enjoy time together. On a personal note, being a performer in The Greenshow has brought me immense joy and allowed me to tap into my inner child as an actor, which isn’t something I often get to do.”

Through its blend of tradition, talent, and community spirit, the family-friendly Greenshow remains a Cedar City favorite. As these current and former SUU T-Birds bring their talents to the stage, they’re continuing in a legacy that has enriched both the Festival and the university for decades.

This season, be sure to check out the different versions of The Greenshow through September 5: Royals (same nights as Henry VIII), Folk Festival (same nights as The Winter’s Tale), Commedia (same nights as The Taming of the Shrew), and, as a special partnership this summer, Paiute Heritage and Celebration on August 29 only. For more information, visit bard.org/plays/greenshow.