News From the Festival

The Winter's Tale Through the Years

The 2024 production is the Festival’s sixth production of the play. The Winter’s Tale was also performed here in 1972, 1989, 1996, 2004, and 2011.

Enjoy these photos from past productions and purchase tickets to the 2024 season by visiting here.

A scene from the 1972 production.
A scene from the 1989 production.
A scene from the 1996 production.
A scene from the 2004 production.
A scene from the 2011 production.

The Winter's Tale: 10 Fun Facts

2024 Production Renderings: scenic designs by Apollo Weaver.

A play filled with contrast, The Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare’s later and lesser-known plays. Balancing themes of jealousy and love, betrayal and redemption, and the opposing worlds of Sicilia and Bohemia, Director Carolyn Howarth urges audience members to not be afraid of this play.

“I realize it’s not a Romeo and Juliet, but these lesser known titles bring so much substance, and they’re such a delight,” Howarth said. “They’re so deep and thick and rich with drama and humor. It’s going to be a gorgeous show.”

Before The Winter’s Tale hits the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre stage this summer, read on to learn more and learn what makes our production of this Shakespeare play unique.

  1. This is the Festival’s sixth production of the play. The Winter’s Tale was also produced here in 1972, 1989, 1996, 2004, and 2011.

  2. Howarth is making her directorial debut at the Festival this season. “I’m so excited to be at the Festival; it’s been on my bucket list,” Howarth said.

  3. This Shakespeare play is close to Howarth’s heart, as it was one of the very first plays she acted in at the start of her professional career.

    2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Raven Ong.
  4. The play is full of contrast. Howarth notes that it’s part fairytale, part fact in that it takes place in the court of Sicilia and then the idyllic world of Bohemia. Howarth encourages audience members to look for these “fairytale moments” scattered throughout the play.

  5. The play has many mythological references. One is its basic structure which reflects the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades in using the cycle of winter and summer to propel the sorrow and joy. Another is the use of Apollo’s oracle to determine Hermione’s guilt.

  6. Speaking of Hermione, Melinda Pfundstein, who is directing Silent Sky this season, played this role in the 2011 production.

  7. The Winter’s Tale was one of Shakespeare’s last plays.

  8. The plot was based off of Pandosto, written in 1588 by Robert Greene, who was considered Shakespeare’s most successful predecessor within the realm of blank-verse romantic comedy.

    2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Raven Ong.
  9. The play was written in five acts. Some critics, including W.W. Lawrence, consider this a problem play because of the juxtaposition between the acts, with the first three being intensely dramatic and the last two filled with humor and a happy ending.

  10. The Winter’s Tale spans a timeframe of sixteen years. Howarth noted one of the challenges of directing this play is that like many of Shakespeare’s others: it’s such a big play.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets! Visit here to make your purchase and for more information about the play. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a play synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.

Meet the Cast: The Taming of the Shrew

The Festival is thrilled to announce the performing company for this season’s production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, welcoming a mix of returning and new-to-the-Festival actors.

Last season, Valerie Rachelle directed Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical. This year, she’s shifting gears to take on one of Shakespeare’s most complicated comedies.

“It’s a very different story and very different style of play [than Emma], but it’s still about being a better person, finding love, listening and changing, and following your heart,” Rachelle said.

This is the Festival’s 11th production of the play. It was first produced in 1962 and most recently in 2015.

The lead cast for 2024 is as follows:

Cassandra Bissell

Cassandra Bissell is returning to the Festival as Tranio/Huntsman in The Taming of the Shrew and Queen Katherine in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Rosalind in As You Like It to name a few. She has also performed at Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Arizona Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and many more. Bissell received a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Chicago. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

John DiAntonio

John DiAntonio is making his Festival debut as Petruchio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew. He has recently filled the role of Artistic Director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival after serving as Producing Artistic Director at Creede Repertory Theatre for over 13 years. He has acting and directing credits from Denver Center Theatre Company, Theatreworks, New Dramatists, and more. DiAntonio received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory. He also boasts training in Classical Acting from the British American Drama Academy in London. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

John Harrell

John Harrell is returning to the Festival as Hortensio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew, Guilford/Cromwell in Henry VIII, and Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include the 2017 productions of Treasure Island, As You Like It, and Shakespeare In Love. He was also the title characters in Hamlet, Cyrano, Richard II, and more at the American Shakespeare Center. Harrell received a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Blake Henri

Blake Henri is returning to the Festival as Grumio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing. Previous roles at the Festival include Robert in last season’s The Play That Goes Wrong and Karl Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun. Other roles include those at Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theatre Center, and Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival to name a few. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at The University of Oklahoma.

Rodney Lizcano

Rodney Lizcano is debuting at the Festival as Gremio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. Other roles include those at Denver Center Theatre Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Lizcano received a Master of Fine Arts from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Valerie Martire

Valerie Martire is making her debut at the Festival as Bianca/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. She has been in productions of Mauritius, The Wolves, and Appropriate at Illinois Wesleyan University, where Martire also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also has teaching credits at Actors Garden.

James Carlos Lacey

James Carlos Lacey is debuting at the Festival as Lucentio/Player in The Taming of the Shrew and Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing. He has been in off–Broadway productions of Trapped and in roles at The Kennedy Center, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Solas Nua, and more. Lacey received a Master of Arts from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and a Master of Fine Arts from South Texas College.

Chris Mixon

Chris Mixon is returning to the Festival as Baptista Minola/Player in The Taming of the Shrew, Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, and Old Shepherd/Jailer in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Dennis in The Play That Goes Wrong, Mr. Woodhouse in Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, and Earl of Gloucester in King Lear. He’s been in the national Broadway tour of How to Succeed in Business Without Trying, world and NYC premieres at Pearl Theatre Company, and productions at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Caitlin Wise

Caitlin Wise is debuting at the Festival as Kate/Lady in The Taming of the Shrew and Emilia/Shepherdess in The Winter’s Tale. She’s been in The Christians at Denver Center Performing Arts, The Importance of Being Earnest at Arvada Center, Wild Honey at Theatreworks, and more. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University and a Master of Fine Arts from National Theatre Conservatory. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Supporting roles are as follows:

Christopher Centinaro

Christopher Centinaro is returning to the Festival as Nicholas/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Florizel in The Winter’s Tale, and Surveyor/Capuchius/Cranmer in Henry VIII. Previous roles at the Festival include Sempronius in Timon of Athens and Adrien in Coriolanus. Centinaro has also been in Mojada at the Indiana Shakespeare Festival and has received the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award.

Alaysia Renay Duncan

Alaysia Renay Duncan is making her Festival debut as Petra/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Anne Bullen in Henry VIII, and Perdita in The Winter’s Tale. She has also been in productions of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical at Engeman Theater, Dorian Gray at The Tank, Strange and Splendid at Chain Theatre, and more. Duncan received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Ithaca College.

Topher Embrey

Topher Embrey is returning to the Festival as Christopher Sly/Curtis in The Taming of the Shrew, King Henry in Henry VIII, and Shepherd’s Son/Officer in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bobo in A Raisin in the Sun. He has been in various productions Off-Broadway with Red Bull Theater and has performed for five seasons at American Shakespeare Center, as well as Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Denver Center for the Performing Arts, to name a few. Embrey received a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Christopher Newport University. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Geoffrey Kent

Geoffrey Kent is returning to the Festival as Vincentio/other roles in The Taming of the Shrew, Buckingham/Lord Chancellor in Henry VIII, and Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale. He directed The Play That Goes Wrong last season and has been in the Festival’s productions of Treasure Island, As You Like It, Shakespeare in Love, and more. Kent received a Henry Award for Excellence in Fight Direction and teaching credits include University of Northern Colorado, University of Denver, and Asolo Conservatory. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Chloe McLeod

Chloe McLeod is debuting at the Festival as Biondello/Huntsman/Server in The Taming of the Shrew, Dorcas/Lady in The Winter’s Tale, and Lady in Waiting/Working Woman/Party Guest in Henry VIII. She has performed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Anna Karenina at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Fun Home at Miners Alley Playhouse and more. McLeod trained at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Trenell Mooring

Trenell Mooring is debuting at the Festival as Hostess/Phillipa/Merchant in The Taming of the Shrew, Old Lady/Margaret in Henry VIII, and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale. She has been Belinda in Noises Off and Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing at Orlando Shakes, Salima in Ruined at GableStage, and more. Mooring received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Melinda Parrett

Melinda Parrett is returning to the Festival as Josephina/Widow/other in The Taming of the Shrew and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Previous roles at the Festival include Miss Bates in Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, Mrs. White in Clue, and Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, among many others. Parrett has also performed at The Denver Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Geva Theatre, and more. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets! The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.

The season runs June 17 through October 5.

Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.

Meet the Cast: The 39 Steps

The Utah Shakespeare Festival announces the cast members for this summer’s production of The 39 Steps, directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle. A thrilling comedy that blends farce, suspense, and romance, this play is a must-see for patrons in the upcoming season.

The 39 Steps is hilarious, but it also has this focus on a character that starts the play lost, unsure of his meaning in the world, with a lack of community and connection, who then discovers his purpose,” Galligan-Stierle said.

“That to me speaks to our world and who we are as humans, and the need for everyone to get up off the couch and have these extraordinary moments and find connection with other people in this world.”

This is the second time the Festival has produced this play. Galligan-Stierle was in the Festival’s 2010 production. Fourteen years later, he is pivoting from acting to directing the very same play.

Galligan-Stierle continues, “Having performed in the [last] production of The 39 Steps, I am honored and excited to re-imagine the show for today’s audience by focusing on four storytellers who use their boundless imagination to tell a highly theatrical story full of thrills, romance and comedy. I am incredibly excited to return to my ’theatrical home’ for this production!”

The 2024 cast is as follows:

Tom Coiner

Tom Coiner is making his debut at the Festival as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Camilo in The Winter’s Tale. He has been in A Christmas Carol and Gaslight at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, The Daughter in Law at Mint Theatre Company, and God Said This at Primary Stages to name a few. Television credits include The Good Fight, Law and Order: SVU, and It’s Bruno. Coiner received an MFA from National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Kenyon College. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Michael Doherty

Michael Doherty is returning to the Festival as Clown #1 in The 39 Steps and Antigonus/Time in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Mr. Green in Clue, Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing, Charlie Baker in The Foreigner, and more. He has also appeared Off-Broadway as Jimmy in Dublin by Lamplight and on television in Wu Tang: An American Saga. Other roles include productions at Guthrie Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, and the Denver Center. He received a BFA in Theatre Arts from the University of the Arts and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Tracie Lane

Tracie Lane is returning to the Festival as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. Previous roles at the Festival include Joan de Pucelle in Henry VI Part One and others in The Merchant of Venice; Boeing, Boeing; Measure for Measure; and Twelfth Night. Other credits include the Play On! Festival at Off-Broadway’s Classic Stage Company, The Three Musketeers at Asolo Rep, Venus in Fur at Orlando Shakes, and numerous roles at American Shakespeare Center and Houston Shakespeare Festival. She earned her MFA at The Juilliard School and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Bailey Savage

Bailey Savage is returning to Festival stages as Clown #2 in The 39 Steps and Cleomenes/Rustic in The Winter’s Tale. She was in the Festival’s Shakespeare in the Schools productions of Julius Caesar as Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet as Lord Capulet. Other credits include roles in Drunk Shakespeare Chicago, Twelfth Night at Midsommer Flight, and Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Repertory Company. Savage was Assistant Director for Guys and Dolls and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and served as Literary Seminar Manager at the Festival, and received a BIS from Southern Utah University.

Purchase your tickets now! The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.

The season runs June 17 through October 5.

Every Brilliant Thing Comes to a Close: The Tour in Review

Angelique Archer as Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing. Photo by Geoff Liesik. Copyright Uintah School District 2024.

The Festival is extremely proud of the inspiring production Every Brilliant Thing, which for the second year traveled all across the state of Utah, with over forty performances in schools and communities in 2024.

With the intention of “cultivating the use of proactive, life-affirming communication when you or those you love are confronted with depression,” this is one of the most critical pieces of work the Festival has ever produced, according to Director of Development and Communications Donn Jersey.

“Young people need the affirmation that they are not alone. Each and every student that will watch this production will be reminded that they are needed, they are loved, and they belong here,” Governor Spencer J. Cox said.

The tour was funded by the Utah State Legislature and recently received formal recognition for their work in collaboration with SafeUT from the legislature.

The Festival’s Every Brilliant Thing tour team in front of the Utah State Capitol Building.

“This tour is about saving lives,” Tour Manager Jordan Simmons said.

Simmons noted that the project had five goals, the first being to create an active dialogue between all stakeholders about emotional and mental well-being in regards to depression and suicide.

Another goal was increasing awareness in Utah schools of mental health resources available for students and to find applicable ways to use these resources. The tour also strived to provide an artistic experience that enabled young people to see things from a new and positive perspective, provided opportunities for students to both practice and participate in a number of skills related to Utah Core standards, and inspired people to see the beauty in life.

The tour began January 4 and will conclude March 23, with two free public performances in Cedar City at Southern Utah University’s Auditorium Theatre. The public is invited to attend on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm. These performances are in collaboration with SUU’s Storytelling Festival, Creative Outreach Collaboratory, and SUU Health and Wellness.

The tour was directed by Britannia Howe, who will also be writing and directing this season’s Greenshow. The traveling company consisted of Tour Manager Jordan Simmons, Stage Manager Kathryn Whilden, and actors Angelique Archer and Marco Antonio Vega.

The Creative Process: Festival Reveals 2024 Show Art

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is delighted to share this season’s show art. We’ve officially pulled back the curtain to give you a sneak peek of what to expect visually from our upcoming season, so enjoy the reveal!

For Creative Director Clare Campbell, this is one of her biggest––and most rewarding––projects of the year.

However, the job isn’t without its challenges, and Campbell explained that each year requires an immense amount of collaboration and research.

The process of designing show art is a big one, and it begins with Campbell studying the scripts and attending designer meetings to gain insight about the directors’ and designers’ ideas for each play. But it’s also important to note that the art doesn’t necessarily represent each of the productions literally.

“The goal [for the show art] is for anyone to look at the graphic and get the concept and tone of the play, as well as be intrigued at the same time,” Campbell said. “We don’t want to give anything away, but still include subtle hints and Easter eggs.”

Campbell creates individual designs for each play with the entirety of the season lineup in mind.

“It’s kind of a puzzle, you’re working on one play graphic, but you have the other six or seven plays you have to match, including the Greenshow,” Campbell said. “They all have to have a cohesive look.”

After months of work, the Festival is proud and excited to share the first reveal of the Show Art and hope that it does just as Campbell hopes––to intrigue and encourage our patrons to join us for the 2024 season.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets. The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop.

The season runs June 17 through October 5.

The Taming of the Shrew: 10 Fun Facts

2024 Production Renderings: scenic designs by Apollo Weaver.

One of Shakespeare’s first comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is one of his most famous—and deemed one of his most problematic—plays. Although difficult themes are discussed, Director Valerie Rachelle is approaching the play with color, fun, and comedy. Ultimately, this Festival production will use farce and slapstick comedy, and focus on how to treat others better.

  1. Did you know The Taming of the Shrew is actually a play-within-a-play? Although most productions don’t include the induction at the beginning that creates this metadrama, Rachelle will be including it this season.

  2. Rachelle is also taking the liberty to book-end the play with a more complete ending and bring the induction full-circle, as many claim this play by Shakespeare was unfinished because he left off the epilogue.

  3. A lot of contemporary theatres choose to not produce this play because of its difficult themes. Rachelle, however, believes it teaches an important lesson if approached correctly. “It’s showing us what not to do, rather than what to do,” Rachelle said.

    2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Kevin Alberts.
  4. The play was popular during Shakespeare’s time, and a response to The Taming of the Shrew was written in 1611, nearly 20 years later. John Fletcher wrote The Woman’s Prize, or The Tamer Tamed, which tells the story of Petruchio marrying again, only to find the roles reversed as his new wife takes control of their marriage. In 1633, both plays were performed for King Charles I and were well-liked.

  5. Unfortunately, Shakespeare gained inspiration for the play from popular folktales and ballads in England about wives being tamed by their aggressive husbands, which was a common practice in Elizabethan England.

  6. The playwright may have also gained inspiration from Ludovico Ariosto’s Suppositi (1509) and George Gascoigne’s Supposes (1566).

  7. Although not a musical, Sound Designer Lindsay Jones is creating new music for the production—a new addition that patrons familiar with the play can look forward to.

    2024 Production Renderings: costume designs by Kevin Alberts.
  8. The play has been adapted many times. Some of the most well-known adaptations include Cole Porter’s musical Kiss Me, Kate!; McLintock!, a western starring John Wayne, and the 1967 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

  9. Rachelle can do it all! Last season, she directed the immensely sweet and clever Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical in the Randall L. Jones Theatre. This season, she’s pivoting to a Shakespeare comedy and is producing in the outdoor space of the Engelstad Shakespeare Theare.

  10. This is the Festival’s 11th production of the play, with the first being in 1962 and the most recent prior to this season in 2015.

Remember, it’s not too early to purchase tickets! Visit bard.org for tickets and more information about the play. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.

The Taming of the Shrew Through the Years

This is the 11th Utah Shakespeare Festival production of The Taming of the Shrew.

Shakespeare’s play was part of the very first season in 1962, and then hit the Festival stages again in 1966, 1971, 1977, 1984, 1991, 1998, 2004, 2008, and most recently in 2015. Take a walk down memory lane and enjoy these pictures of some of our past productions!

And don’t forget to purchase tickets to our 2024 production by visiting bard.org.

A scene from the 1962 production.

A scene from the 1966 production.
A scene from the 1992 production.
A scene from the 1998 production.
A Scene from the 2004 production.
A scene from the 2015 production.

Register for Theatre Summer Camp: Ages 5-18 Can Train with Theatre Professionals

Youth receive theatre training with professionals.

Festival summer camps are the perfect chance for young aspiring artists to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with professionals.

“Getting to watch a Festival production and then study with the artists whose work you saw onstage is a unique opportunity for students,” says Education Director Katherine Norman.

For those thinking about attending, here are several reasons to sign up today for summer camp:

  • It’s a chance to work with and learn from the artists you see onstage in Festival productions.
  • Summer camps allow you to spend a week learning and playing with other like-minded students and theatre lovers.
  • You can choose your focus! For high school students, there’s the option to study acting or technical theatre with Festival professionals. Unsure about sleep-away camp? That’s okay; choose what’s best for you and participate in our day camp instead.
  • For those excited about our overnight camps, you can look forward to staying in Southern Utah University student housing and being completely immersed in the world of professional theatre.
  • There are scholarships available! Please click here for more information on the program you are interested in.

Playmakers Summer Day Camp
June 10-22, 2024
Ages 5-17

From 2-4pm Monday to Friday, students will have the opportunity to build theatre skills through movement, voice, improv, and more, with a final Saturday performance.

Click here to register and for tuition costs and more information. Registration closes May 31, 2024.

Junior Actor Training
July 15-20, 2024
Ages 12-14

Taught by professional Festival actors, this week-long sleep-away camp is for young actors who want to train in scene work, stage combat, voice and movement, and more.

Click here to register and for tuition costs and more information. Registration closes July 5, 2024.

Theatre Training
July 22-27, 2024
Ages 15-18

This program allows students to choose their focus: Acting or Technical Theatre. Taught by professional Festival acting and production company members, this pre-college professional training program is for high school students looking for a week-long intensive sleep-away camp.

Click here to register and for tuition costs and more information. Registration closes July 12, 2024.

Questions for the Education Department? Call 435-865-8333 or email usfeducation@gmail.com.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets for the 2024 season of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, as well. The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop. The season runs June 17 through October 5.

Utah Shakespeare Festival Offers Theatre Courses for Adults and Educators

In-person theatre courses are available for adults.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets for the 2024 season of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. But plays aren’t all that the Festival offers. Through our education department, courses are available for adults and educators too. Supplement your Festival Experience with a class, and even earn credits from Southern Utah University!

For Educators

Teaching Shakespeare
July 15-18, 2024

Specifically for English and Theatre Educators, this in-person course provides active and engaging classroom approaches for any teacher of Shakespeare text. Click here to register and for more information. Registration closes July 1, 2024.

Tech for Teachers
July 29-31, 2024

This is a great in-person professional development course for any educator or director. Festival technicians and experts create a hands-on learning experience for designing, building, and running a production. Click here to register and for more information. Registration closes July 17, 2024.

For Everyone

The Festival also offers online courses throughout the season. Participants attend plays, seminars, orientations, and complete online enrichment content specially designed to complement the productions.

For general patrons, participating in one of these courses provides an elevated Festival Experience by introducing a variety of lenses and perspectives through which to view live theatre. For educators, participation will not only provide an elevated Festival Experience, but also professional development credits through Southern Utah University.

Shakespeare Survey (Two Plays)
June 10 - October 18, 2024

Shakespeare Survey is a self-paced, individualized-learning course available anytime throughout the Festival season, focusing on attendance at two of the season’s plays. Click here to register and for more information.

Shakespeare Forum (Four Plays)
June 10 - October 18, 2024

Shakespeare Forum is a self-paced, individualized-learning course available anytime throughout the Festival season, focusing on attendance at four of the season’s plays. Click here to register and for more information.

Shakespeare Seminar (Six Plays)
June 10 - October 18, 2024

Shakespeare Seminar is a self-paced, individualized-learning course available anytime throughout the Festival season, focusing on attendance at six of the season’s plays. Click here to register and for more information.

The play lineup for the 63rd season includes Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing, along with the hilarious The 39 Steps, the moving Silent Sky, and the inspirational The Mountaintop. The season runs June 17 through October 5.

To purchase tickets and take advantage of these amazing educational offerings, call the Festival Ticket Office at 800-PLAYTIX or visit bard.org.