News From the Festival
Matt Zambrano talks about Cabaret
Have you included the Cabaret in your Festival Experience? If not, you’ll want to take advantage of this fun, intimate setting where you can see Festival company members showcasing their other skills: juggling, singing, dancing, magic tricks, just to name a few.
2012 Cabaret, Zambrano & Puppet
What’s Cabaret? Cabaretis a weekly performance (Thursdays at 11pm at The Grind Coffee Shop) to benefit REACH (Really Eager Artists Crying Hire). It’s fast-paced and entertaining. Tickets are $10 at the door. People arrive as early as 10pm to secure their favorite seat.
2012 Cabaret, Melody Wilson
We spent some time with Matt Zambrano, co-chair of this year’s Cabaret, to learn more about Cabaret and REACH.
What’s new this year?
We have a lot of new members in the acting company, and we’re excited to see what they bring to the Cabaret. When you have a lot of different artists in a room, you can come up with some magnificent ideas. It’s not themed this year, except for maybe one or two - Christmas in July and the “Best of” at the end of the summer.
2012 Cabaret, George Walker
We are also going to try having company members donate items for a silent auction - one item a night. We’re hoping we can get company members to donate things like original artwork, classes, or baked goods in order to raise additional funds for REACH. We’ll see how it goes.
Tell us a bit more about REACH.
Since actors for the Festival are here at least four months, it’s difficult to audition for other roles. So REACH brings artistic directors and casting directors to Cedar City. So far this year, we have lined up American Players Theatre from Wisconsin, Chicago Shakes, Shakespeare Theatre of D.C. and the Folger. REACH pays their airfare, lodging and the Festival donates tickets for all six plays. These industry professionals attend all the plays, hold auditions and attend Cabaret. Success stories include Melisa Pereyra with Milwaukee Rep, Rhett Guter with Chicago Shakes and Kyle Eberline with Disney.
Each season, members of the acting company volunteer to lead REACH. This year, none of last year’s officers returned. Aaron Galligan-Stierle (founder of Cabaret) volunteered to be president. About two weeks into rehearsals, Melisa Pereyra, Jeb Burris and I volunteered as well, because we felt a responsibility to ensure the continuing success of REACH for the entire company. Rhett Guter and I oversee and coordinate the Cabaret. Melisa and Jeb are responsible for scheduling and managing logistics for the visiting directors. Other officers include Ruff Yeager (Auction), Alex Galick (Secretary), Carrie Taylor (Tech), Natasha Harris (“MVP”) and Samuel Clein (Accompanist).
How do I learn who’s performing each week?
We hold auditions on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday we’ll post the performers for that week on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ReachPresentsTheCabaret?ref=ts&fref=ts
What if I can’t attend but I still want to help REACH?
The Guild has graciously agreed to donate the proceeds from this year’s Curtain Call Luncheons to REACH. So, you can attend one of the Friday lunches, meet 3 or 4 actors, and donate there. You can see who’s appearing at the lunches on the sandwich boards around the theatre and by visiting their Facebook page at
We hope you join us on Thursday evenings for fun entertainment that helps our artists in their careers.
Corey Jones as King John
Corey Jones returns for his second year at the Festival. Last year we saw him as Aaron in Titus Andronicus, Reverend Sykes in To Kill a Mockingbird and an ambassador in Mary Stuart. We spent some time with him to learn more about him and his thoughts on this role.
King John 2013, Jones
How did you get into acting?
I was bitten by the bug in high school. I grew up in Chicago and in Illinois you have to take a semester of speech in high school. A teacher suggested I try out for the speech team. I fell in love with it and found out I have a knack for it.
King John 2013, Jones
At Washington University, where I did my undergrad in history, a drama professor in the African American studies program was the artistic director of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. He offered me an internship when I graduated. That’s where I decided to become a professional actor. I got a chance to work with some incredible actors like Ruby Dee. I stayed in St. Louis for another 3 years at the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. I realized I needed some more training, and applied for grad school - got into the University of Texas Austin and received my MFA. Right out of that I got an offer to go to the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in California where I was for 3 years and then moved to LA where I auditioned for Brian and David.
Talk to us about the role of King John.
I have not played King John before. It’s a huge challenge, especially with the language. It’s not often done, and the histories are tough because you have to deal with English history and “political speak.” Shakespeare has taken liberties with certain events, but the play highlights John’s controversy with the church and what was happening with Queen Elizabeth at that time.
John is such a complicated figure. He was the youngest of 5 sons who really had no claim or inheritance. Just so happens that 3 of his brothers died prematurely. His brother Richard reigned for 10 years, but spent most of his time in the crusades and then he died. So John was the only one left to manage the kingdom in Richard’s absence. The child, Arthur, who is the son of John’s older brother Geoffrey, is said to have more claim to the throne than John, which is where the struggle comes in. The allegiance within the family is fascinating.
John is also petulant. He has a temper when he doesn’t get his way, and he snaps at people. He has a strong case of the youngest child syndrome - spoiled rotten as a kid and expects everything to go his way. As the oldest of six, this is a different place for me.
What about your spare time?
Last year, once we got the shows open, I discovered the beauty of the area. I went up to Cedar Breaks, and this year, I got my hiking started early. I don’t know of any other place where you can get to 2 or 3 national parks in a just 2-hour drive.
Why is live theatre important?
It’s something about language, live language that I don’t think we get when you’re watching a film or a TV show. There’s something about the shared experience, experiencing something with people that we don’t get when we’re at home on our sofa. It’s different every night. I tell my students - why do we go to Romeo & Juliet 8 to 10 times when we know how it ends? Because every time it’s different. The story through these bodies is going to be different. And for a second, it just might work out.
You can see Corey in King John**beginning July 3 through August 30. Tickets are available online at www.bard.organd by calling 800-PLAYTIX. You can learn more about the play athttp://www.bard.org/plays/john2013.html
Photos by Karl Hugh, copyright 2013 Utah Shakespeare Festival
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
Melisa Pereyra in The Tempest
Melisa Pereyra is at the Festival for her second season. Last year she played Lavinia in Titus Andronicus and Zerbinette in Scapin. She also played Juliet in this year’s Educational Tour production of Romeo and Juliet. We are very excited to have her with us again and spent some time getting to know her.
The Tempest 2013, Pereyra, Woronicz, Burris
Where’s your home base?
Originally, I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I moved to the States when I was almost 15 and lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho through high school. I then got a full ride to attend Utah State University. Currently, I don’t have a home base. Jeb Burris (my fiancé) and I graduated last May from Illinois State University with our MFA in classical acting, where I had the privilege to study Shakespeare under Henry Woronicz. Once we graduated, we sold our furniture and traded our tiny little car for a Jeep, packed up our car and said, “Let’s do this acting thing!” We’ve been lucky enough to find employment over the past year traveling all over the country, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
The Tempest 2013, Pereyra, Woronicz
Tell us about playing Miranda.
There’s something so surreal about discovering this role with the person that I actually love and with somebody who has taught me how to speak Shakespeare playing my father…on that level it’s emotionally overwhelming. (Jeb Burris is playing Ferdinand and Henry Woronicz is playing Prospero). Whenever we get on stage, Jeb and I can’t stop crying from happiness. It’s just so great to be able to bring that kind of life onto the stage. There is a life experience that you can’t fabricate, from the heart,that we actually get to experience and share with our audiences. That in itself has been one of the greatest things about playing this role.
Miranda is so strong, and she’s incredibly open and in touch with her heart and what she feels. I think that she is a survivor. Her father, Prospero, has prepared her to be strong and be able to survive whether he’s with her or not. I hope that people do not expect just a girly girl in love. She knows what she wants when she sees it. When she sees Ferdinand, she feels so much for him. Although she may not fully understand how to ‘properly’ express herself according to the ways of the world, she knows that what she feels is real and true and has no qualms saying exactly how she feels to his face. It’s important that people know she’s not just a little girl that’s lost and naive. She is her father’s daughter and you can’t separate the two. Prospero’s strength, determination, and anger–as well as his compassion and love– live within her as much as within him. That’s what we’ve been working toward over the last couple of months.
What are your thoughts about the Festival?
I love it here. There is something very special about making theatre under the stars. The people who work here are exceptional. And I think that Brian and David do such a great job about bringing the right personalities together. It’s not just about the work we do on the stage; but also about the kind of people we are off the stage.
Why do you think live theatre is important?
As storytellers, we carry such great responsibility. As a child, I didn’t grow up with much but I always had my imagination. As an adult, I was lucky to study with another wonderful man, Paul Dennhardt, in graduate school who helped me remember that my imagination can be alive no matter how old I am. That I can always play hide and seek. That I can giggle until my stomach hurts. And that no matter what you’ve lost, you’ll always gain something by clinging onto your imagination. I want to pass this on to our audiences thru every play I do, to old and young alike. I want everyone that comes to see our shows this summer to cling on to their imagination. Live theatre is a great place for that and that’s why it’s important.
Now, why it is important for me…I don’t have any other thing I love to do more, and I don’t have any other thing that challenges me as much as this and that keeps me honest as much as this. I’m a better person because of theatre, the way it has pushed my personality and my insecurities as a human being, I don’t think I could have found anywhere else. The people we’re surrounded by are so wonderful and so open, so welcoming. I found the love of my life and dear, dear friends on my journey as an artist. At the same time, I left–and continue to leave–a lot of my family behind on another continent and all over the U.S because of the kind of work I do. However, because of live theatre, I have a new family wherever I go. For those reasons, I can’t think of a more important thing for me to do and continue doing.
You can see Melisa in The Tempest beginning July 2 through August 31. You can purchase tickets online at *www.bard.org*and by calling 800-PLAYTIX. You can learn more about The Tempest at http://www.bard.org/plays/tempest2013.html
Photos by Karl Hugh, copyright Utah Shakespeare Festival
Brooke Redler and Aaron Galligan-Stierle- Guest Bloggers
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is excited to present the regional premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher during its 2013 season. Here on the blog we’d like to introduce two people integral to the success of the production.
Meet Brooke Redler, Stage Manager for Peter and the Starcatcher
Have you ever worked at the Festival before?
No- This is my first time, but it is a place I have wanted to work since college. So happy to be here!
Where’s your home base?
Kansas City, Missouri
What’s your educational/training background?
I went to Johnson County Community College. I have had great training with places like Santa Fe Opera, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and Kansas City Repertory theatre where I started 9 years ago as a Production Assistant and am now a Production Stage Manager.
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
In NYC with a new company called Fault Line Theatre on an Off Broadway premiere, in Kansas City at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and in Creede, Colorado and Arvada, Colorado with Creede Repertory Theatre.
How will you spend your time off while here?
Looking forward to some gardening- I haven’t gotten to plant flowers in the summer for years! Also some hiking and rafting.
Describe what live theatre means to you in one or two sentences…
Theatre allows us as a society to connect and tell our stories. It can be entertaining, cathartic, beautiful, silly and meaningful all at the same time.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
I am so excited to be involved in the regional premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher!
Good luck with your garden, Brooke!
Meet Aaron Galligan-Stierle, playing the role of Smee
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
The 2013 season is my fifth season at the Festival. I was here in 2004 (Frankie in Forever Plaid and Zoltan Karpathy in My Fair Lady), 2005 (Flute in Midsummer and Mordred in Camelot), 2006 (Leo Davis in Room Service and Slender in Merry Wives) and 2010 (Clown #2 in 39 Steps and Laucelot Gobbo in Merchant.)
Where’s your home base?
I live in NYC.
What’s your educational/training background?
I received a BFA from Shenandoah University in Musical Theater and a MFA from Penn State in Acting.
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
I was working in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway as Monsieur Andre.
How will you spend your time off while here?
Definitely hiking as much as possible and having some family time with my wife and son.
Describe what the Festival means to you in one or two sentences…
The Festival is my artistic home. It is my favorite theater company to work with and is a constant source of inspiration.
As well as playing Smee, Aaron will appear as**Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes.
Looking forward to it, Aaron!
Peter and the Starcatcher Preview
Mugavero & Guter, Peter & the Starcatcher 2013
Utah Shakespeare Festival Blog - Peter and the Starcatcher Preview
A Play by Rick Elice, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Music by Wayne Barker
Directed by Brian Vaughn
Key Characters:
**Boy:**A nameless, homeless, and friendless boy at the beginning of the play who earns the name Peter and hero by the end. Peter is brave and competitive, a survivor, and someone the other boys come to look up to. Played by Rhett Guter.
Mattfeld
**Lord Leonard Aster:**The very model of a Victorian English gentleman, Lord Aster is a loyal subject of the queen, devoted father, and faithful friend. Played by Larry Bull.
**Molly Aster:**A thirteen-year old girl and a natural leader, Molly was raised to believe females can do anything males can. She is fearless, curious, passionate, and devoted to her father, her country, her Queen, and the cause of the Starcatchers. Played by Betsy Mugavero.
Bull
**Black Stache:**A ruthless, heartless pirate captain who captures The Wasp, Black Stache started shaving at age ten. He is proud of his magnificent facial hair and is partial to the poetical and the theatrical. Played by Quinn Mattfeld.
**Smee:**First mate to Black Stache, Smee is simple-minded and single-minded to his captain’s every whim. Played by Aaron Galligan-Stierle.
Synopsis:
Discover the Neverland you never knew in this regional premiere, straight from Broadway and five Tony Awards. It is a wildly theatrical, hilarious, and imaginative story of how an orphan boy came to be Peter Pan, the captain got his hook, and a young girl inspired everyone to believe. You won’t want to miss this epic tale of one of the world’s most enduring and beloved characters.
You can learn more about Peter and the Starcatcher at http://www.bard.org/plays/peter2013.html.
Peter and the Starcatcher opens on June 25 and plays through October 18. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
B.J. Jones and The Tempest
B.J. Jones is the director for The Tempest. Previously at the Festival, he has directed Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. He has spent fifteen years as artistic director at Northlight Theatre in Chicago, where he directed the world premiere of Stella and Lou with Rhea Perlman and has worked at numerous other theatres.
He shared his thoughts during the first dress rehearsal of The Tempest*.*
Storm scene from The Tempest, 2013
As I await my first dress rehearsal for The Tempest at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, I have been working on Animal Crackers for Baltimore Center Stage which will start rehearsal August 6th.
I’ve already reviewed my notes for our next rehearsal tomorrow, and in those 10 hours we will have to review our work from last Friday night, run as much of the piece technically as we can in the 90 degree Cedar City sun. After a brief dinner break, the cast will put on their costumes and in some cases extensive make up, and we will run the play with all the bells and whistles. There are a lot of bells and whistles in our Tempest. A little magic, a little illusion, monsters and sprites, royalty and soused servants, and a pair of fathers yearning for the best for their children.
Parrett (Ariel) & Woronicz (Prospero) 2013
Today is the day after Father’s Day so perhaps it’s touching me a little more deeply today. Most importantly for me this play is about forgiveness and looking ahead to the future with hope.
The cast is marvelous. All of them are doing double and triple duty playing other roles in the repertory and understudying as well. It is a strenuous season of work for any actor and they are amazing to watch and admire. I give them pick up notes and they include the adjustments as we press through the scenes grasping at every precious moment to get the play into their bones. They are ravenous in their work and seemingly tireless and while I await our next time together, they are performing another play! It’s really a miracle of professionalism and finely tuned skills.
We also will be throwing some new props and tricks at them tomorrow and like the pros they are I expect them to include them as effortlessly as they have all rehearsal. We only have 2 dress rehearsals, and then 2 previews, so we have to work fast and shrewdly deciding what works and what doesn’t, scaling the work for our audience and inviting them into the process as our scene partners.
Tracy Letts who won the Tony for Best Actor this year, said in his acceptance speech that “this is the greatest job on earth, we are the ones who say it to their faces, a unique responsibility.” Tracy was of course talking about truth and we are charged with that task. There is such searing truth in The Tempest and in the next two weeks before you join us we will continue to strip away at the artifice in order to expose Shakespeare’s truth, through poignancy, hilarity, and gorgeous language.
I have fallen in love with the cast and of course the Festival. I would love to stay on a week or so and luxuriate in the artistry of these fine artists. But there is work to be done, and gratefully other audiences to serve.
It is a remarkably busy stretch for me and I am privileged to work on these wonderful pieces and to execute them with such gifted artists.
The Tempest opens on July 2 and runs through August 31. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX. You can learn more about the play and cast at http://www.bard.org/plays/tempest2013.html.
Donna Ruzika and Kaitlin Mills- Guest Bloggers
The Adams Theatre has long been a cornerstone of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Meet two people who will, in one way or another, bring patrons quality entertainment on the Adams stage this 2013 season.
Meet Donna Ruzika, Lighting Designer for the Adams Theatre
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
1998-2005, 2007-2013: in the Adams as Lighting Designer and four fall seasons in the Randall as Lighting Designer.
1973: Box Office Manager
1974 & 1975: First Company Manager
1973: actor, Lady Norfolk in Henry VIII
Where’s your home base?
Orange County, California
What’s your educational/training background?
Theatre, Bachelor of Science, California State University, Pomona
Lighting Design & Theatre Management MA, Cal State Fullerton
Spanish Language Studies in Quito, Ecuador
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
Freelance Lighting Designer…International City Theatre in Long Beach, South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, Hollywood Bowl in LA & Utah
How will you spend your time off while here?
Exploring the small dirt roads of Utah in my All Wheel Subaru
Describe what live theatre means to you in one or two sentences…
Collaboration, Enlightenment & Entertainment.
Describe what the Festival means to you in one or two sentences…
It’s like coming home.
Meet Kaitlin Mills, actor
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
I worked for three years in Concessions.
Where’s your home base?
Cedar City, UT
What’s your educational/training background?
Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Utah University
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
The Grind Coffeehouse
How will you spend your time off while here?
Hiking, biking, walks, reading.
Describe what live theatre means to you in one or two sentences…
Nowhere else can you achieve such a strong connection with a group of strangers. The connection you make with your fellow actors and the audience is a deep and lasting one.
Describe what the Festival means to you in one or two sentences…
It’s such a magical place to work. The environment and vibe is so alive and it brings the town to life.
We hope you have the opportunity to witness the work of Donna and Kaitlin this season!
Utah Shakespeare Festival Blog - Love’s Labour’s Lost Preview
Zambrano
Graves
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Laura Gordon
Part of the “Complete the Canon” Project
Key Characters:
Ferdinand: The king of Navarre, Ferdinand wishes to turn his court into “a little Academe” and elicits an immature vow from his closest followers to remain with him for three years as celibate scholars. Played by Quinn Mattfeld.
Berowne: A lord attending the king, Berowne is the most outspoken of the four friends. Played by Matt Mueller.
Longaville: A lord attending the king, Longaville quickly forsakes the oath of chastity. Played by Robert Adelman Hancock.
Dumaine: A lord attending the king, Dumaine rounds out the group of four friends. Played by Jeb Burris.
Don Adriano de Armado: “A fantastical Spaniard”, Don Armado is a parody of a courtly lover. Played by Matt Zambrano.
The Princess of France: Sent by her father the king, the princess is high-spirited and witty, a perfect match for King Ferdinand. Played by Melissa Graves.
Rosaline: A lady attending the princess, Rosaline is nearest in seniority to the princess herself. Played by Melinda Pfundstein.
**Maria:**A lady attending the princess, played by Elizabeth Telford.
Katherine: A lady attending the princess, played by Siobhan Doherty.
Synopsis:
All is peaceful in King Ferdinand’s court, where he and his idealistic friends have resolved to dedicate themselves to three years of fasting, study—and no women. Peaceful, that is, until the beautiful princess of France and her ladies arrive. Could the lesson of this, one of Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies, be that “young blood doth not obey an old degree?”
You can learn more about Love’s Labour’s Lost at http://www.bard.org/plays/loveslabours2013.html.
Love’s Labour’s Lost opens June 24 and plays through August 31. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Mattfeld
Mueller & Pfundstein 2013, Love’s Labour’s Lost
Jeb Burris and Shay Garber- Guest Bloggers
Meet two returning members of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Jeb Burris, 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?
Yes! This is my third year as a member of the acting company.
Where’s your home base?
Well, I don’t have one. I have been lucky enough to just follow the work where it leads me.
What’s your educational/training background?
I have a Bachelors Degree in Acting from Ball State University and a Masters of Fine Arts from Illinois State University. I have also studied with Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK.
Where were you working in the last 9 months?
I was at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre playing Mercutio.
How will you spend your time off while here?
Going hiking and hanging with Melisa!
Describe what live theatre means to you in one or two sentences…
To me, the theatre is all about the shared experience, and the exchange of energy from the actors and production crew to the audience.
Describe what the Festival means to you in one or two sentences…
The Festival, to me, represents tradition. It has this beautifully rich history that means so much to everyone and at the same time, they are constantly finding ways to reinvent themselves.
Shay Garber, member of company management
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
Yes, this is my second season! Last season, I was the Company Management Assistant; and in the Spring, I was the Tour Stage Manager for Romeo and Juliet.
What is your title/role? (e.g. actor, costume stitcher, stage crew)
Assistant Company Manager.
Where’s your home base?
Since last June, I have called my home Cedar City. However, my home town is Mission Viejo, CA.
What’s your educational/training background?
I have a BFA in Stage Management from Syracuse University and an AA in Theatre from Saddleback College.
How will you spend your time off while here?
I am hoping to spend more time this summer exploring the surrounding state parks. But also, taking time to relax and appreciate being in one beautiful place for an extended period of time.
Describe what live theatre means to you in one or two sentences…
Live theatre, for me, is so powerful because it has the ability to affect change, inspire, and bring people from diverse backgrounds together.
Describe what the Festival means to you in one or two sentences…
The Festival isn’t just a workplace for me, but has become a home and a family. I feel a strong sense of support and belonging from the friendships I have formed over the past year.