News From the Festival
Festival Frights and Delights: A Look Back at the Festival’s Spookiest Shows
By Katie Neves, guest writer
With Halloween upon us, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is looking back on decades of spine-tingling performances. Over the last 63 seasons, the Festival has bewitched audiences with horrors and thrills: ghostly tales, psychological thrillers, and dark comedies that tread the fine line between laughter and fear. Here’s a look at 13 of the spookiest non-Shakespeare productions that have haunted the Festival stages, chilling audiences and keeping them on the edge of their seats.
Blithe Spirit—1992, 2004
For the first entry on our list, look no further than Blithe Spirit—a play so nice we did it twice! One of Noel Coward’s most popular plays, Blithe Spirit is the farcical story of Charles Condomine, a writer who accidentally summons the ghost of his deceased first wife. Hilarity ensues as the ghost disrupts Charles’ life and second marriage.
Directed by Philip Killian in 1992, then Paul Barnes in 2004, Blithe Spirit is a show that left Festival audiences in stitches each time. This playful exploration of love and death proves that some spirits are just too lively to stay gone.I
Arsenic and Old Lace—2001
Of course, it’s not just ghosts that can tickle our funny bone—murder may too! At least according to Joseph Kesselring’s classic farce, Arsenic and Old Lace. The play follows Mortimer Brewster as he uncovers a shocking family secret: his sweet, elderly aunts are serial killers. In what they call “acts of mercy,” these sinister spinsters have been poisoning all the lonely old men who visit their home.
Longtime Festival favorite J.R. Sullivan directed the Festival production, bringing out both the warmth and the twisted humor in this chilling comedy. This production showcased the fine line between family and madness that makes Arsenic and Old Lace a timeless classic.
Little Shop of Horrors—2003
Nothing says spooky fun like a man-eating plant from outer space, a sadistic dentist, and a series of grisly murders. Menken and Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour, a down-on-his-luck florist who finds a mysterious plant with an unquenchable thirst for human blood. The plant grows, Seymour quickly loses control, and audiences are left with a grim—and catchy—reminder: “Don’t Feed the Plants!”
Directed by Paul Barnes, Little Shop of Horrors was an audience favorite. With its catchy songs and dark premise, this unforgettable show had viewers dancing, laughing, and maybe keeping a closer eye on their houseplants.
The Mousetrap—2007
The longest-running play in theater history, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a classic murder mystery. With characters trapped in a snowbound manor, a killer hidden among them, and a twist ending that audiences are urged to keep secret, this whodunit keeps audiences guessing until the final revelation.
Directed by longtime Festival music director Brad Carroll, The Mousetrap brought Christie’s signature suspense to life, captivating audiences with a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience.
Gaslight—2008
Psychological tension reaches new heights in Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight, a gripping thriller that has audiences questioning their own sense of reality. The play follows the unsettling story of Mrs. Manningham, who begins to doubt her own sanity as her husband tries to convince her she’s losing her mind. As he subtly raises and lowers the gaslights, the audience shares in Mrs. Manningham’s fear and uncertainty.
J.R. Sullivan’s production had Festival audiences biting their nails with its intense revelations and eerie atmosphere. This story is a haunting reminder of the power of manipulation, leaving viewers haunted by the psychological thrills long after the curtain falls.
The Woman in Black—2009
In this adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel, Arthur Kipps encounters a series of terrifying events while settling the estate of a deceased woman in a remote village. As he recounts his haunting experiences to an actor, the line between reality and performance blurs, drawing audiences into a world of suspense and supernatural terror.
Directed by Carole Healey, The Woman in Black captivated Festival audiences with its chilling story and haunting special effects. This classic ghost story is an eerie reminder of the ways the past haunts the present.
The 39 Steps—2010, 2024
Everyone knows Hitchcock is the king of horror—which makes the slapstick farce of The 39 Steps all the more delightful. This play spoofs Hitchcock’s classic suspense techniques, plunging audiences into a whirlwind of comedy and zany hijinks. Following the misadventures of Richard Hannay, an ordinary man who gets caught in a mysterious murder plot, the story takes audiences on a fast-paced journey through cinema history.
The Festival’s 2010 production, directed by Eli Simon, was incredibly popular—so popular that we brought it back last year! The 2024 production was directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle, who played one of the Clowns in 2010. With both shows, the hilarious antics and quick character changes had audiences roaring with laughter.
Dial “M” for Murder—2011
Frederick Knott’s suspenseful thriller follows the scheming Tony Wendice. After learning his wife, Margot, has been unfaithful, he contrives a complicated plot to murder her—and thus inherit her enormous fortune. However, as the story unfolds, Tony’s plan unravels. The suspenseful twists and turns keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Directed by Brian Vaughn, the Festival’s production captivated viewers with its intense performances and masterful suspense. This thrilling tale of betrayal and deceit is a chilling reminder of how far people can go for wealth and revenge.
Dracula—2015
Everyone knows Dracula—Bram Stoker’s classic villain, practically the mascot of Halloween. In Steven Dietz’ adaptation of the original novel, we follow Lucy and Mina—two women who get caught up in the supernatural mystery of Count Dracula. With the help of Abraham Van Helsing, an expert on vampirism, the protagonists desperately try to stop Dracula—and save the countless lives trapped in his clutches.
The Festival’s 2015 production was directed by Jesse Berger. With an emphasis on eerie lighting, projections, and haunting sound design, this iconic monster story came to life and left audiences with an unforgettable look into the macabre world of the undead.
Murder for Two—2016
If you thought The 39 Steps had a small cast, wait until you see the dynamic duo in Murder for Two! This hilarious musical mystery, written by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, features just two actors. One plays the determined detective, and the other plays all the suspects. As the detective works to solve the murder, audiences are treated to a whirlwind of catchy songs and unforgettably quirky characters.
Directed by Brad Carroll, the Festival’s production was a zany romp through a classic whodunit-style story. With a perfect blend of humor and intrigue, Murder for Two is a delightful reminder that sometimes, less is more.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street—2022
Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd is considered a masterpiece of modern musical theatre. From the brilliant operatic music to the Shakespearean drama of the characters, Sweeney Todd is an unforgettable theatrical experience. After losing his wife and daughter to the villainous Judge Turpin, Sweeney loses his mind and vows revenge on mankind. With the help of his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney wages a war against the city of London, slaughtering his customers and (spoiler!) turning them into meat pies.
Brad Carroll brought his years of musical experience to this production, creating a haunting atmosphere that perfectly matched Sondheim’s score. With incredible performances by J. Michael Bailey and Bree Murphy, this show balanced dark humor with chilling intensity, plunging the audience into Sweeney’s twisted world of vengeance.
Clue—2022
Sandy Rustin’s Clue is a hilarious whodunit that feels very familiar to most audiences. Based on the cult classic film (and the Hasbro board game!), Clue takes place during a dinner party. When the host is mysteriously murdered, each guest suddenly becomes a suspect. Full of slapstick comedy and unexpected twists, this play invites audiences to piece together clues while enjoying all the zany antics.
Directed by Hunter Foster, the Festival’s production featured a talented ensemble that skillfully balanced the comedy and the intrigue. Sharp eyes in the audience might have noticed the portraits on the walls, all featuring USF founder Fred C. Adams. This romp through a beloved classic proves that sometimes, a little humor is the best way to deal with life’s most puzzling mysteries.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder—2025
Next year, the Festival will continue its long tradition of frights and delights with Lutvak and Freedman’s award-winning musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Based on the novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman, this show tells the story of Monty Navarro—a man who learns that he is 9th in line to inherit a huge fortune. In his quest for wealth and love, Monty goes on a comedic spree to “off” the eight heirs standing in his way.
A perfect blend of humor and horror, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder will be the perfect addition to the Festival’s spooky lineup. And what better way to cap off this year’s Halloween season than to buy next year’s tickets? For more information, click here.
Festival Honors Passing of Actor Libby George
Libby George was a beloved Festival actor who performed here for five seasons in the late ‘90s and early 2000’s. She passed away peacefully at age 81 on October 15, 2024. She will be remembered for her vivacious nature and humorous portrayals of some very popular roles.
She played such memorable characters at the Festival as Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (1998), Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2000), Dotty Otley in Noises Off (2000), Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey (2002), and Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit (2004), among others.
Festival Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr said of George, “We were incredibly blessed to have an artist like Libby George on the Festival stages. Her performances as these characters set the standard––it is as if they were each written for her, from Madame Acarti, Mistress Quickly, Dotty, and the Nurse, Libby’s ability to portray a human and comic reality brought connection to audiences. Libby was an incredible human being; she was joy and sparkle in a room; she positively radiated.”
George was born in Mill Valley, California, and because her father was in the Air Force, she spent the majority of her childhood living all over the world. Her family eventually moved back to Stockton, California, prior to her attending college at University of the Pacific. She lived for over 30 years in New York, NY, and had a full-time acting career on the stage, in movies, and on television shows. She retired to Stockton where she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Thomsen.
A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, November 15, 2024 in Stockton. To read George’s full obituary, click here.
USF Announces New Facilities Director
By Katie Neves, guest writer
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to announce Michael Stewart as our new Facilities Director. With a wealth of experience in public service and a passion for the arts, Stewart is poised to revitalize the Festival’s facilities, ensuring they remain inviting, safe, and comfortable for everyone who visits.
Originally from Cedar City, Stewart spent most of his life in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, where he served for more than twenty years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. After retiring in 2022, his family spent a year in Estes Park, Colorado, before returning to Cedar City last year. “This journey has brought me back to my roots,” said Stewart, “and I’m excited to be back in a community that holds so much significance for me.”
A love of Shakespeare and high-quality productions drew Stewart to the Festival: “The opportunity to engage with classic texts in a vibrant, collaborative setting was incredibly appealing to me.” It’s the collaboration element that he looks forward to the most; noting that a theater environment provides a unique opportunity for teamwork and creativity. Stewart said, “I love the way theater brings people together to share stories and evoke emotions, creating a sense of community. Being part of a production means being part of something bigger than myself, and I find that incredibly fulfilling.”
As the Facilities Director, Stewart will oversee the maintenance of the entire Festival complex, from its three theaters, its gift shops, offices, and everything in between. The day-to-day upkeep and operations of the Festival is under his jurisdiction; he’ll ensure that the Festival remains safe, functional, and clean for patrons and staff to enjoy year-round. He also oversees the Festival’s compliance to safety and accessibility standards, and plans long-term improvements and upgrades that will keep the Festival facilities state-of-the-art for years to come.
Among the many projects ahead of him, Stewart is especially excited about the opportunity to implement environmentally-friendly practices, aiming to boost energy efficiency and reduce the Festival’s ecological footprint. Additionally, Stewart’s team is beginning inspections at Windsor Court apartments, preparing and renovating them for the 2025 seasonal employees. “By addressing these updates proactively,” he said, “we aim to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for everyone who will be staying there.”
Stewart is dedicated to fostering a creative and collaborative environment at the Festival. He is eager to contribute to a vibrant community that understands the value of the arts. “Joining the Utah Shakespeare Festival means being surrounded by passionate artists and dedicated professionals who share a love for theatre and storytelling,” he said. “Overall, I am thrilled to be part of a team that is committed to artistic excellence and enriching the cultural landscape.”
2024 Festival Food Drive Donates Over 2,000 Pounds of Food to the Iron County Care and Share
This fall, Utah Shakespeare Festival guests contributed to a worthwhile cause to make life a little better for those in need by donating a literal ton of food to the Iron County Care and Share. The food donations were part of the Festival’s 20th annual Fall Food Drive from September 10 to October 5. Residents of southern Utah and eastern Nevada were able to donate six items of nonperishable food and receive a half-price ticket to a Festival production.
In total over 2,000 pounds of food was donated to help members of our community. 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.
“We are so grateful to our guests for supporting this effort,” said Michael Bahr, executive managing director. “Our annual Fall Food Drive began in 2003, and over the years our guests have consistently given so freely to assist the Iron County Care and Share in their important and generous work in our community.”
The Iron County Care and Share was founded in 1984 by a group of local churches of different denominations to address the issue of hunger in our community. Working with partners in the community, neighboring counties, and in the state, 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. Click here to donate to the organization.
Thanks for ‘Believing’ in Us: A Look Back on the Festival’s 2024 Season
By Katie Neves, guest writer
Now that the 2024 season is wrapped up, we want to again thank all of our patrons and donors for their amazing support. This was the second year of the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Believe campaign—our mission to ignite wonder and inspiration through the transforming power of live theater.
From the enchantment and magic of The Winter’s Tale to the moving power of the stars in Silent Sky, USF’s 2024 season was all about achievement, strength, perseverance, and wonder. Through each of the seven mainstage shows and three Greenshows, we invited audiences to Believe in us—and they certainly showed us they do!
Here’s what some of the Festival leadership had to say about our 63rd season:
Education Director Stewart Shelley
“The Believe campaign invites us all to suspend our disbelief and ensure that the power of live theatrical experiences continues to endure,” Shelley said. “When our late founder Fred C. Adams found himself discouraged in Scandinavia [as a young man], he had the thought to cast his eyes up rather than down into the mud. Upon doing so, he witnessed a beautiful aurora borealis. This story is what motivates the Believe campaign. Believe in beauty, believe in hope, believe in the arts, believe in each other!”
For Shelley, the best element of the season was the “strong women and history-makers” in all of the shows. “I believe that it was an absolute success,” he said. From characters like Hermione in The Winter’s Tale to Queen Katherine in Henry VIII, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing to Henrietta Leavitt in Silent Sky, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew to Camae in The Mountaintop and even the lead female characters in The 39 Steps, the Festival’s stages were full of powerful women and their achievements.
Another one of this season’s big successes was the Seminar Grove. “As the Education Director, it is no surprise that my favorite part of the Utah Shakespeare Festival is found in our classroom—the Seminar Grove!” said Shelley. His department fostered engaging discussions and orientations for each play, making sure audiences could enter and leave each production with new insights and understanding. For the Silent Sky discussions, the Education Department also invited two astrophysicists to join and share their insights: Mattias Schmitt of Cedar Breaks National Monument Dark Skies program, and Dr. Cameron Pace from the Ashcroft Observatory in Cedar City.
Moving forward, the Education Department continues its Believe work with youth and students through such opportunities as the Juvenile Justice program, outreach with Iron County elementary students through the WonderStage program, the Shakespeare in the Schools Education Tour of Henry IV this winter, and much more. “Shakespeare may have said, ‘All the world’s a stage,’ but we in Education feel like ‘All the world’s a classroom.’ We’re thoroughly enjoying acting as both teacher and student on this journey of constant learning.”
General Manager Kami Terry Paul
For Paul, the Believe campaign was especially powerful this season. “It’s about believing in the power of theatre to give us insights to ourselves and others,” she said. “The campaign resonated for me personally this year because I was moved by so many instances of humans accomplishing beyond expectations: characters in the plays, employees at the Festival, and our amazing patrons who show up for us and each other, every year.”
Paul is excited for next year, with six powerful shows lined up for the Festival’s 64th season. With “another Shakespeare title that puts us closer to our Complete the Canon initiative (Antony and Cleopatra), the return of a musical to the Festival lineup, and a season full of artistry,” 2025 is a season we can all Believe in.
Now that the 2024 season is over, she is looking forward to all the excitement that comes in between the Festival’s official seasons. “There really is no off-season at the Festival,” she laughs. “We are already hard at work on the 2025 season and our Shakespeare production that tours schools. The 2026 season is also in early planning stages. Onward and upward!”
Artistic Director John DiAntonio
According to DiAntonio, the Festival’s Believe campaign can be summed up in a line from The Winter’s Tale: “It is required you do awake your faith.” This idea captures what is at the heart of the Festival. “So much of what we do in the theatre is built on faith, trust, or belief. It was true when Fred C. Adams started the Festival 64 years ago, and it’s still true today,” said DiAntonio who hits his one-year mark at the organization this month.
“One of our main goals [this season] was to introduce the new executive leadership team: Michael Bahr and myself,” said DiAntonio. “We wanted to introduce our new shared vision to patrons, and really start living it. I really got to know many of our patrons. I was amazed how deep everyone’s love for the Festival runs. You see patrons and volunteers wearing pins: ‘I first attended the Festival in 1972,’ or 1963, or 2021, In my case, it began in 2008.”
This year also marked DiAntonio’s first time performing at the Festival; he played Petruchio opposite his wife, Caitlin Wise, as Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew. Now he’s busy working on next year. “We are currently in design meetings for each of the plays, and I couldn’t be more excited for the productions next summer.” While preparing for the upcoming season, DiAntonio also plans to spend extra time with his family and explore more of the Cedar City area. “Caitlin and I are looking forward to getting even more involved with the local community this ‘off-season,’ now that we are a bit more settled.”
Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr
For Bahr, one of the most important goals for him was to strengthen connections with Festival patrons, to help them see the Festival as their theatre. “This is your theatre, and you are a huge part of it,” Bahr emphasized. “We are still hearing from patrons how pleased they have been with the high quality of the productions and their personal connections to the plays.”
Bahr shared some of his favorite moments this season; moments where patrons truly connected with the messages onstage. From “an audience member spontaneously yelling ‘You go, girl!’ in support of Katherine in Henry VIII,” to “weeping audiences following a performance of The Mountaintop gathering in the lobby to exchange a hug,” 2024 was filled with human connection, inspiration, and audiences truly believing in the power of theater.
“Since launching the Believe campaign I’ve had many patrons ask me, ‘What does ‘Believe’ mean in your campaign?’” Bahr said. “As a teacher, I love throwing the question back to them—what do you think it means?” This year, through captivating performances, engaging discussions, and a supportive community, the Festival “generated conversations around hope, life, and the ways they complement each other.”
Bahr is especially excited about the 2025 season and the compelling stories it has to offer. “Every one of them will be an audience favorite with deep depth of text and characters,” he said. The season will include three of Shakespeare’s most beloved and powerful plays (As You Like It, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra) as well as a Tony Award-winning musical (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), a classic comedy (The Importance of Being Earnest) and a beloved and heartfelt drama (Steel Magnolias).
The Utah Shakespeare Festival’s next season is shaping up to be just as amazing as the last one—all thanks to the amazing support of our patrons and donors. And as Shakespeare said, “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” To buy your 2025 season tickets, visit bard.org/plays.
Season in Review: 36 Facts from the 63 Season
By Liz Armstrong, guest writer
With the 2024 season officially over, we’d like to thank all those who attended, donated, volunteered, or participated in any way for supporting us once again this year. The Festival’s 63rd season came to a close on October 5, and as Will says: parting is such sweet sorrow. So, in the spirit of celebrating another successful year, let’s look at some of the highlights from this season.
Enjoy these fun facts regarding productions, strike, props, education, and more!
2024 Productions
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The Greenshow pulled inspiration from the season’s Engelstad mainstage productions. Commedia Night drew inspiration from The Taming of the Shrew, Royals Night from Henry VIII, and Folk Night from The Winter’s Tale.
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The infamous bear puppet from The Winter’s Tale will be on display in the Festival Props Shop for years to come.
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Director Cameron Knight leaned into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s mental health in The Mountaintop, exploring psychological and fear elements to approach King in a more human way.
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Playwright Lauren Gunderson joined Southern Utah University and the Festival in September to talk about her production of Silent Sky.
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This is the 11th time The Taming of the Shrew and the 9th time Much Ado About Nothing was produced at the Festival.
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The Festival’s Artistic Director, John DiAntonio, played Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew this season opposite his real-life wife, Caitlin Wise, as Kate in their first season as part of the Festival.
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The play The 39 Steps has over 150 characters and was played by a cast of only four actors.
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This was only the third time Henry VIII was produced at the Festival. It was last produced nearly thirty years ago, in 1995, and 1974 before that.
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There was a performance of The 39 Steps this season in which three out of four cast members were understudies. They did a tremendous job on such a difficult show!
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The closing night of the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre brought record-numbers for audience attendance: over 900 at the Commedia Night Greenshow and a sold-out house for The Taming of the Shrew in the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre.
End-of-Season Strike
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The Festival implemented a new Costume Inventory Program this season, making costumes more accessible to designers. The process includes applying heat-set bar codes on each costume piece, and then uploading photographs and information about each piece into the system. Pieces from this season will be some of the first to undergo this process.
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While some prop and scenery pieces will be sold or given to other organizations and interested patrons, most will be stored in the props warehouse and scenery storage tent––a combined space of about 8,500 square feet––for future seasons after strike.
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The Festival hosted a surplus sale during last weekend’s annual Shakespeare Competition, giving nearly 3,000 students and their teachers and chaperones the opportunity to take home pieces of theatre history.
Costumes and Props
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David Mickelsen was the costume designer of an original version of Silent Sky when Lauren Gunderson was writing it in Cleveland. He came this season to design the same show for the Festival.
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Uniforms for Much Ado About Nothing were custom made in Scotland.
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Some costume pieces were borrowed from Arizona Theatre Company for Silent Sky, while others were pulled from Festival stock.
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Two king sized fur comforters were used to make the bear puppet for The Winter’s Tale.
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There were four bears in The Winter’s Tale. The bear rug (custom built in the prop shop), a wooden toy bear (purchased by the prop shop), the giant bear puppet (custom built in the prop shop), and a stuffed animal bear sold by the character Autolocus to the young shepherd, which two girls fought over, resulting in ripping its head off (the prop shop modified a regular teddy bear so this action could happen each performance).
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All the aluminum legs for The Taming of the Shrew furniture were custom bent in the prop shop and welded by Assistant Props Director, Marielle Boneau.
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The 39 Steps armchair ended up being two chairs––one for each act due to the nature of the action in the play.
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The Greenshow stage got an arch this year that was originally designed to be used in 2016.
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There were seven ladders in The 39 Steps. One of them was custom welded for the Festival by a local company.
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The Props Department went through 14 buckets for the “foot stuck in the bucket” scene in Much Ado About Nothing.
The People
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There were several Southern Utah University students, alumni, and faculty in the acting company this year, including Ashley Aquino, Zac Barnaby, Whitney Black, Trent Dahlin, Gracelyn Erickson, Luke Sidney Johnson, Rockwell MacGillivray, Bailey Savage, Elise Thayn, Marco Antonio Vega, Spencer Watson, Stephen K. Wagner, Matthew Wangemann, Emily Wheeler, and Gabriel Wright.
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Former Director of New Play Development, Derek Charles Livingston, directed Henry VIII this season and became the new Artistic Director of Stage Theatre in Houston in August.
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John DiAntonio and Michael Bahr completed their first season as Artistic Director and Executive Managing Director, our fearless head leadership team. Congratulations!
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The Festival was delighted to be back in the local community parades this year.
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Stewart Shelley was appointed as the Education Director, moving from Associate Education Director. What an exciting announcement!
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Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey announced his upcoming departure from the Festival. We thank him for his six and a half years of leadership.
Education Department
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Schools from California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Utah, and Nevada attended this year’s Shakespeare Competition.
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For the Junior and Actor Training Camps this summer, students attended from Utah, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Arizona, and Nevada. They also traveled from Canada and the US Virgin Islands.
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During the 2024 Shakespeare in the School’s Tour of Hamlet, there were 52 performances in 29 public schools, 1 public district, 14 public charter schools, two residential treatment centers and eight community performances in various venues.
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Nearly 10,000 students saw this production of Hamlet, engaged in a Q&A with the actors, and participated in various workshops led by the tour team.
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This season, there was supplemental astronomy encounters surrounding Silent Sky, including discussion in the Seminar Grove. Dark Sky Coordinator at Cedar Breaks National Monument Mattias Schmitt and Dr. Cameron Pace from the Ashcroft Observatory discussed the science behind the story.
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The Education Department was delighted to welcome the 2024 company members back as tour guides for the backstage tours.
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Company members participated in the Juvenile Justice program at the Southwest Utah Youth Center in Cedar City.
So many amazing moments created and experiences enjoyed this season! The 63rd season served as a time that encouraged those that attended and participated to ‘Believe’ in the transformative power of live theater. We’d like to profoundly thank our patrons and donors for supporting us and encourage you to return next year for the 2025 season.
The lineup for the 64th season includes: Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Steel Magnolias. Tickets are on sale now!
Results of the 48th Annual Shakespeare Competition
This past weekend the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University hosted the 48th annual Shakespeare Competition where dozens of awards, prizes, and scholarships were given to drama, dance, and music students.
The competition is the largest scholastic Shakespeare competition in North America, and this year, over 3,000 students from 101 schools attended from Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, and Wisconsin. More than 300 coaches and teachers helped prepare these students for the competition.
From October 3 to 5, students competed before numerous adjudicators on the Festival’s stages and on SUU’s campus. More than 80 judges consisting of arts professionals with strong literary and performance backgrounds, including company members from the 2024 season at the Festival, provided feedback to participants.
The competition recognizes and educates students between second and twelfth grade in four areas: acting, dance/choreography, music, and technical theatre. At the conclusion of the competition, selected students received plaques, prizes, and scholarships to study with professionals at Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
The competition is divided into six divisions: Buckingham (large public high schools), Oxford (midsize public high schools), Cambridge (small public high schools), Westminster (private, charter, and parochial schools), Stratford (junior high and middle schools) and Essex (schools or groups which are not members of state high school associations).
Education Director Stewart Shelley is thrilled with how this year’s competition went. “We have so many schools and groups who return year after year. This is an important tradition for these students and teachers. We have new schools coming too, and it’s an incredible opportunity for all the participants to get professional feedback and revel in the art of William Shakespeare.”
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 Shakespearean 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: Corner Canyon High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Lehi High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Skyridge High School
Ensemble First Place: Corner Canyon High School
Ensemble Second Place: Lehi High School
Ensemble Third Place: Skyridge High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Ellie Walsh and Ezekial Binkard (Westlake High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Kaiya Sharp and Paul Witzel (Corner Canyon High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Izzy Anderson and Hannah Lewis (Lehi High School)
Monologue First Place: Alex Hsiao (Skyridge High School)
Monologue Second Place: Nora Booth (Westlake High School)
Monologue Third Place: Kaleb Phillips (Lehi High School)
Ray Jones Award: Alex Hsiao (Skyridge High School); Ellie Walsh and Ezekial Binkerd (Westlake High School)
Larry Lott Acting Award: Aubrey Boman (Corner Canyon High School)
OXFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Hillcrest High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Brighton High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Orem High School
Ensemble First Place: Hillcrest High School
Ensemble Second Place: Brighton high School
Ensemble Third Place: Valencia High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Claire Bartlett, Ryan Rasch, and Cooper Runnells (Hillcrest High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Gideon Kirby and Caleb Timmerman (Hillcrest High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Camie Hopkins and Nate Thorne (Salem Hills High School)
Monologue First Place: Riley Thompson (Hillcrest High School)
Monologue Second Place: Eliza Moises (Orem High School)
Monologue Third Place: CaRina Day (Timpanogos High School)
Ray Jones Award: Riley Thompson and Ryan Rasch (Hillcrest High School)
Barbara Barrett Award: Claire Bartlett and Copper Runnells (Hillcrest High School)
Larry Lott Acting Award: Lucia Glime (Brighton High School)
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Canyon View High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Northridge High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: North Sanpete High School
Ensemble First Place: Canyon View High School
Ensemble Second Place: Northridge High School
Ensemble Third Place: North Sanpete High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Max Brown, Alicia Cerda, and Michael Hibbert (Northridge High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Andy Larsen, Jules Wilson, and Lin Anderson (North Sanpete High School)
Duo/Trio Third Place: Charlotte Pulica and Sabrina Grimshaw (Canyon View High School)
Monologue First Place: Emma Wallace (North Sanpete High School)
Monologue Second Place: Lucy Sorber (Mountain View High School)
Monologue Third Place: Jey Stucki (North Sanpete High School)
Barbara Barrett Award: Max Brown, Alicia Cerda, and Michael Hibbert (Northridge High School), Emma Wallace (North Sanpete High School)
Larry Lott Acting Award: Beth Manwill (Northridge High School)
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Rockwell Charter High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: American Leadership Academy Spanish Fork - Senior High
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Second Place: American Leadership Academy Spanish Fork - Senior High
Ensemble Third Place: Intermountain Christian School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Benjamin Decker, Samuel Vick, and Peter Dowdle (Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Anthony Lombardi and J.J. Betts (Providence Hall High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Samuel Smith and Evey Jackson (American Heritage School - SLC High School)
Monologue First Place: Scarlet Boss (Rockwell Charter - High School)
Monologue Second Place: Jacob Keller (Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School)
Monologue Third Place: Charlotte Heinrich (Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School)
Ray Jones Award: Scarlet Boss (Rockwell Charter - High School); Benjamin Decker, Samuel Vick, and Peter Dowdle (Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School)
Larry Lott Acting Award: Scarlet Boss (Rockwell Charter - High School)
STRATFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - Middle School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - Middle School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Vista Heights Middle School
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - Middle School
Ensemble Second Place: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - Middle School
Ensemble Third Place: Vista Heights Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Levi Hilmo, Adam Jensen, and Nicholas Jackson (Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - Middle School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Jocelyn Hellewell and Haley Anderson (Vista Heights - Middle School)
Duo Trio Scenes Third Place: Madison Flowers and Macy Upstill (Vista Heights - Middle School)
Monologue First Place: Ally Rees (Liahona Preparatory Academy - Middle School)
Monologue Second Place: Kyler Seamons (Liahona Preparatory Academy - Middle School)
Monologue Third Place: Hallie Springer (Lake Mountain Middle School)
Barbara Barrett Award: Ally Rees (Liahona Preparatory Academy); Levi Hilmo, Adam Jensen, and Nicholas Jackson (Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - Middle School)
Larry Lott Acting Award: Cannon Rockwood (American Heritage School - SLC Junior High)
ESSEX DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: First Stage Young Company
Sweepstakes Second Place: Take Note Troupe
Sweepstakes Third Place: Dixie Leadership Academy
Ensemble First Place: First Stage Young Company
Ensemble Second Place: Take Note Troupe
Ensemble Third Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - Elementary
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Maya Thomure and Max Larson (First Stage Young Company)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Lola Onorato, Thomas Bastardo, and Lucy Kuhnen-Grooms (First Stage Young Company)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Blake Nelson, Oakley Brewster, and Bella Richey (Dixie Leadership Academy)
Monologue First Place: Josephine Van Slyke (First Stage Young Company)
Monologue Second Place: Paisley Stillman (QQAAC)
Monologue Third Place: Elena Marking (First Stage Young Company)
Ray Jones Award: Josephine Van Slyke (First Stage Young Company)
Barbara Barrett Award: Maya Thomure and Max Larson (First Stage Young Company)
Larry Lott Award: Madison Jones (First Stage Young Company)
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: Westlake High School
Ensemble Third Place: Lone Peak High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Alyviah Brownlee, Hallie Hadlock, and Sadie Gatherum (Westlake High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Arath Cardona, Elisabeth Bessette, and Baylie Spainhower (Taylorsville High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Brynlee Turner, Rylie Jones, and Elle Jones (Skyridge High School)
OXFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Orem High School
Ensemble Second Place: Olympus High
Ensemble Third Place: Provo High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Jayde Garrett and Aubrey Child (Pleasant Grove High School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Lily Cannon, Lucy Richards, and Charlotte Johnsen (Olympus High)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Layla Filby, Kaden Gatherum, and Mareli Perez (Kearns High School)
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Murray High School
Ensemble Second Place: Desert Hills High School
Ensemble Third Place: Mountain View High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Atley Larrabee, Kai Louderback, and Mattix Espinoza (Desert Hills High School)
Duo/Trio Second Place: Kate Lutkin, Sophie Ballard, and Hannah Bowen (Murray High School)
Duo/Trio Third Place: Ava Knudsen and Sabrina Gordon (Canyon View High School)
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: American Leadership Academy - Spanish Fork
Ensemble Second Place: Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts
Ensemble Third Place: Juan Diego Catholic High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Ellie Krull and Holly Richard (Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts)
Duo/Trio Second Place: Naomi Tveten, Ian Hadfield, and Sadie McGhie (Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School)
Duo/Trio Third Place: Isadora Salekfard and Kianna Cuthcins (Pacifica Christian High School)
STRATFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Frontier Middle School
Ensemble Second Place: Vista School
Ensemble Third Place: Vista Heights Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Jax Davis, Greyson Lefevre, and Brennon Gough (Vista School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Savannah Sheppard and Hannah Fowles (Frontier Middle School)
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Kaiya Wride, Savvi Wright, and Taylee Featherstone (Vista Heights Middle School)
ESSEX DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Saint Contemporary Ballet
Ensemble Second Place: Take Note Troupe
Ensemble Third Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Linnea Lopez, Jhoryan Eggett, and Aspen Dail (Lighthouse Commonwealth of Iron County)
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:
TROUBADOUR
First Place: Cambri Burgon, Camryn Pittard, and Lily Withers (Skyridge High School)
Second Place: Savannah Anderson, Morganne Strong, and Emilee Farmer (Romney Youth Bard Brigade)
Third Place: Elise Farmer (Herriman High School)
MINSTREL
First Place: Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts
Second Place: Pleasant Grove High School
Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
CANZONETTA
First Place: Pleasant Grove High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Herriman High School
MADRIGAL
First Place: Corner Canyon High School
Second Place: Skyridge High School
Third Place: Herriman High School
SWEEPSTAKES
First Place: Pleasant Grove High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Skyridge High School
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: Lucy Rowley (Riverton High School)
Lighting: Matthew Estes (Mountain View High School)
Make-up: Dylann Miller (Corner Canyon High School)
Props: Peyton Bodily (Corner Canyon High School)
Rigging: Elise Parry (Hillcrest High School)
Carpentry: Catherine Tobler(Orem High School)
Audio: Jackson Christensen (Orem High School)
Stage Management: Harrison Treat (Hillcrest High School)
TECH OLYMPICS––OVERALL WINNERS
First Place (Gold Drill): Hillcrest High School
Second Place (Silver Spotlight): Salem Hills High School
Third Place (Bronze Boot): Riverton High School
TECH PORTFOLIO WINNERS
Overall Winner: Ophilia Cerda Echeverria (North Ridge High School)
Runners-up: Elise Parry (Hillcrest High School)
For more information on the Shakespeare Competition, visit competition.bard.org.
A Tour of the Utah Shakespeare Festival Statue Garden
By Katie Neves, guest writer
Located just south of the Balcony Bards Seminar Grove, the Catherine and Robert Pedersen Shakespeare Character Garden is an artistic tribute to the works of William Shakespeare. Walk around the grounds, and you’ll see some of his most iconic characters in vivid detail. From tragic heroes like King Lear to the comical Falstaff, these statues bring Shakespeare’s timeless figures to life. Let’s take a closer look at each statue and the stories they tell.
William Shakespeare
Where better to start than with the Bard of Stratford on Avon himself? Born in 1564, Shakespeare wrote, acted, and produced his plays in several theatres in England, most famously the Globe Theatre in London. His works have only grown in popularity since his death over four centuries ago. In fact, he is the most performed playwright in history. Standing at a podium filled with books and facing out toward all the characters he created, this statue captures his enduring legacy as a master storyteller.
Festival Fun Fact: When the now-retired Adams Memorial Shakespeare Theatre was built in 1977, it was one of the world’s most accurate replicas of the original Globe. Its authentic design was so impressive that the British Broadcasting Company filmed a program in it in 1981 about Elizabethan theatre.
Hamlet
Perhaps Shakespeare’s best-known hero, this brooding and philosophical prince of Denmark delivers some of Shakespeare’s most famous words. From “Alas, poor Yorick” to “To be or not to be,” Hamlet delves deep into the human psyche as he seeks to avenge his father’s murder. He’s best known for his indecision and inner turmoil—traits which, ultimately, lead to his tragic end.
Festival Fun Fact: The small, pale tree behind Hamlet is known as a ghost pine. This is meant to represent the ghost of Hamlet’s father, who haunts the court of Elsinore and sets the play in motion.
Juliet
Juliet is the young heroine of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. At just 13 years old, she falls deeply in love with Romeo—a star-crossed relationship that defies the bitter feud between their families. Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most adapted characters, appearing in hundreds of operas, ballets, musicals, stage plays, paintings, animations, and live-action films.
Festival Fun Fact: This statue was modeled after USF founder Fred Adams’ oldest daughter, Dorcas Adams Woodward.
King Lear
“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks,” this statue seems to cry, tearing his clothes and dropping his crown to the ground. He yells at the elements with all the grief and rage that Shakespeare gave him. A king of ancient England, Lear contends with evil daughters, traitorous courtiers, and his own madness as he suffers the consequences of his vanity and foolishness.
Festival Fun Fact: In 2015, USF’s production of King Lear starred acclaimed actor Tony Amendola. Audiences may recognize him from his roles in Stargate SG-1, Once Upon a Time, and Continuum.
Lady Macbeth
Ambitious and ruthless, Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most chilling villains, known for her sinister influence over her husband. As the play progresses, the guilt of her murderous actions slowly overcomes her, and she descends into madness. This statue depicts the famous sleepwalking scene, where she desperately tries to wash King Duncan’s blood off her hands.
Festival Fun Fact: When referring to her, most theater folk call her “Lady M.” According to urban legend, the word “Macbeth” is cursed, and it’s bad luck to say it in a theater. Next year, audiences will see Lady Macbeth return to the Festival stage as a part of the 2025 season.
Falstaff
Sir John Falstaff is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters. Making his first appearance in Henry IV Part 1, he is a close friend and (terrible) mentor to Prince Hal. This statue depicts the famous pillow scene, where Falstaff puts a cushion on his head as a makeshift crown and pretends to be King Henry IV. As Falstaff and Hal playfully banter back and forth, Shakespeare foreshadows the heavy weight of kingship young Hal will soon have to bear.
Festival Fun Fact: According to legend, Queen Elizabeth I was distraught when Falstaff was killed offstage in Henry V. She demanded that Shakespeare write Falstaff a new play—a comedy, where he could fall in love. That, supposedly, is where The Merry Wives of Windsor comes from.
Henry V
King Henry V is Shakepseare’s most famous military leader. After learning that he has a claim to the French throne (and after a very rude gift from the French prince), Henry gathers his troops and goes to war. This statue depicts his famous St. Crispin’s Day speech, where he rallies his outnumbered soldiers before the Battle of Agincourt. In the end, he’s miraculously victorious, and returns home as King of England and heir of France.
Festival Fun Fact: USF’s last production of Henry V, in 2016, was one of the first shows to be produced in the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theater.
Cleopatra
Regal and brilliant, Cleopatra is one of Shakespeare’s most formidable heroines. As the Queen of Egypt, she wields her intelligence and charisma to navigate the battlefields of love and politics alongside her lover, the Roman general Marc Antony (remember him from Julius Caesar?). Cleopatra’s tragic fate (a bite from a venomous snake) cements her legacy as a woman who refuses to be subdued.
Festival Fun Fact: The last time the Festival produced Antony and Cleopatra was in 2006—almost 20 years ago! Audiences will see Cleopatra return next year as a part of the 2025 season.
Bottom and Puck
One of the most hilarious characters in literary canon, Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a terrible actor who has a run-in with fairies in the woods outside Athens. As a part of a devious prank, he is transformed into a hideous donkey, and catches the eye of the bewitched fairy queen Titania. Whispering in his donkey ear is a tiny Puck—Oberon the fairy king’s loyal servant, and the mischievous menace who transforms Bottom and sets the mischief in motion.
Festival Fun Fact: This statue is the newest in the garden, and was from Festival founder Fred C. Adams’ favorite Shakespeare plays. It’s also the only statue to feature two characters (unless you count Cleopatra’s snake and Hamlet’s skull).
Bonus Statues
Titania
Moving outside the statue garden, you’ll find Titania—the enchanting Queen of the Fairies—nestled in a planter at the west entrance to the Randall L. Jones Theatre. After a fight, her husband, Oberon, magically tricks her into falling in love with Bottom—a grotesque donkey man. At the end of the play, all is resolved; she and Oberon reunite, and the fairy kingdom is at peace once more.
Festival Fun Fact: With Titania, Bottom, and Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the only Shakespeare play that has multiple statues of various characters at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Lear’s Head
Next to the grand staircase of the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre you’ll see a small bronze head—the crownless head of King Lear. Unassuming and simple, this statue represents Lear as he is by the end of the play: a powerless shadow of who he once was. Lear shows the wide spectrum of the human experience—mighty to humble, sane to mad, cruel to remorseful. It’s no wonder he’s often considered Shakespeare’s most tragic hero.
Festival Fun Fact: King Lear is the only Shakespeare character who has two statues at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Fred C. Adams
Situated near Ellen’s Sweet Shop and Engelstad gift shop, the statue of Fred C. Adams is a tribute to the founder of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Along with his wife Barbara, he started the Festival in 1961 and continued his work until his death in 2020. Beginning with a thin plywood stage on the grass, then moving to the Adams Memorial Theatre, and finally to the Beverley Taylor Sorenson complex as it stands today, Fred made it his life’s work to bring quality theatre to southern Utah.
Festival Fun Fact: If you look really closely, you can see the watch on his wrist is a Mickey Mouse watch—something he wore every day in real life.
As you stroll through the Utah Shakespeare Festival grounds, be sure to make a stop at the statue garden. From the haunting Lady Macbeth to the contemplative Bard himself, each figure captures an enchanting piece of Shakespeare’s literary legacy. Whether you’re a lifelong Festival enthusiast or a newcomer to the theatre, the statue garden offers a unique glimpse into the brilliant world of William Shakespeare. (Final Festival Fun Fact: come back in December and this statue garden––and the rest of the Beverley Center––will be marvelously lit with holiday lights and decor.)
2024 Season is Almost Over; Get Your Tickets Now
It hardly seems believable that the 2024 season at the Utah Shakespeare Festival is almost over. With only a week and a half remaining, you still have time to catch Shakespeare’s witty comedy Much Ado About Nothing, the hilarious and zany whodunit The 39 Steps, the moving and historical Silent Sky, and the poignant The Mountaintop before they close on October 5. And there are plenty of ways to snatch a good seat to either the matinees or the evening performances.
For residents of Iron, Beaver, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Piute, and Lincoln counties, we encourage you to participate in our Fall Food Drive discount. For every five non-perishable food items donated, guests receive a half-price ticket to a play of their choice. Seats may be reserved in advance but tickets must be purchased in person, as this offer is not available online. There is no limit on the number of half-off tickets local guests can get. Please note that premier seating is not available for this promotion. See here for more info.
With one T-bird Tuesday remaining, students from Southern Utah University can get $10 tickets on Tuesday, October 1. We love when SUU students fill our theatres and bring their enthusiasm and excitement. Students can also still get a Student Access Pass for $40 and see as many shows as they like, based on availability. As a bonus, pass holders can bring a friend for free on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 1 and 2.
And don’t forget the extras! We still have play seminars and orientations happening, along with our final costume and actor seminars this Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28. These are amazing ways to supplement your knowledge about the shows, as well as get your questions answered about the Festival, how the productions come together, and the experience our actors have.
Also wrapping up this weekend are the exhibits at our closest neighbor, the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), on the corner of University Boulevard and 300 West, just north of our Randall L. Jones Theater. Multiple exhibits are on display through September 28, and as always, entrance is free! Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As an exciting end to the season (and a head’s up to you, our patrons), our Shakespeare Competition is happening during our closing weekend of October 3-5. What does this mean? Nearly 3,000 students from over 100 middle and high schools gather on our grounds and the campus of Southern Utah University for three days of performances, competitions, adjudications, and activities based on the works of Shakespeare. Not only does it include theatre scenes, but dance and choral groups compete as well. The public is welcome to watch these performances. And of course, our shows are filled with these dynamic students. If you’ve ever wanted to watch one of our plays along with excited and invested students, grab a ticket (if you can!) and join us closing weekend!
For tickets and information, visit our plays webpage, call 800-PLAYTIX, or come to our Ticket Office near the Anes Studio Theatre.
Donn Jersey to Depart Utah Shakespeare Festival and Embark on New Ventures
The Utah Shakespeare Festival announces the upcoming departure of Donn Jersey, director of development and communications, at the end of the season after six and a half years of leadership. Jersey will continue his involvement in the arts and mental health fields as he transitions into advisory roles with arts organizations and other nonprofits, offering expertise in fundraising, communications, and strategic planning with his new endeavor, Strategic 3C.
“Donn’s leadership and tireless work have been critical to the Festival’s success,” said Michael Bahr, executive managing director. “His energy and drive in building relationships is remarkable. His impact, particularly in fundraising and outreach, will continue to shape the Festival for years to come.”
Jersey, who joined the Festival in 2018, was instrumental in driving its growth and securing financial stability through key fundraising and communication initiatives, enhancing digital technology, and analytics. Under his leadership, donations grew to record-setting levels, from 18% to 50% of the Festival’s annual budget in just three years. He spearheaded the $10 million Fred C. Adams Endowment, a $3 million campaign for theatrical equipment, and the ‘Believe’ campaign in 2023 and 2024.
“As a long-time attendee and supporter, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact Donn Jersey has had on the Utah Shakespeare Festival. His visionary leadership and innovative spirit have elevated the Festival to new heights,” said Shelley Berkley, honorary co-chair of the Fred C. Adams Endowment and former Congresswoman from Nevada.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, Jersey played a critical role in guiding the Festival through one of its most challenging periods, helping to keep its community connected and informed and leading several public outreach efforts. A campaign focusing on gratitude set a new fundraising record during a season when the Festival was closed.
“Donn is the most talented businessman we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Eileen and Allen Anes, longtime Festival donors and current members of the Board of Governors. “We will profoundly miss seeing Donn at the Festival.”
One of Jersey’s most impactful contributions was his involvement in the Festival’s Every Brilliant Thing touring production, a play about teen depression and suicide prevention. From 2019 to 2024, this initiative reached over 50,000 students across Utah through 220 performances, aiming to break down stigmas and transform lives.
“How fortunate I feel to have found a home with the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City,” expressed Jersey. “I will look forward to participating as an audience member to witness the magic of this extraordinary storytelling institution that has captured my family’s hearts.”
As a principal with the consulting organization Strategic 3C, Jersey will advise several arts organizations in and outside of Utah. Some of his first projects will be with the West Valley Arts Foundation, the Sedona International Film Festival, and Encore Theatre in St. George, Utah. He plans to continue his work with Mission High School, a recovery high school he co-founded in Las Vegas in 2017. Furthermore, he is actively involved in launching the grand opening of his family’s new restaurant, Jersey’s Corner, in Parowan, Utah, and is preparing to publish the first in a series of children’s books in 2025, inspired by adventures with his granddaughter.
The Festival wishes Donn all the best in his future endeavors.