News From the Festival
Update on the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts
Dreams Do Come True
After years of planning, fundraising, and dreaming our new home is finally underway. A lot has changed since the end of August, and hopefully this will inspire everyone to dream big, because they can come true!
Fences came up on August 27, 2014. It started at the Randall Theatre and stretched all the way to our company housing, and permanently closed 200 West.
Once the fences were up, demolition began with 8 buildings crashing to the ground. It was bitter sweet to see our old homes being torn down.
Old Costume Crafts Shop
Fred Adams and Ashley Pollock in front of Administrative Building Demo
Startford Housing
Administration Building
More Administrative Building
Once all the buildings were down, it was time to remove all the debris and smooth everything out.
So what was once this:
Turned into this:
Outside the Randall looks a little different:
It is amazing to think that in two months buildings, parking lots and streets are now red dirt. Your support and donation dollars have made this possible.
As of Friday, November 7, Big D, our construction company, is installing conduct, electrical wiring, and pouring site walls.
The Engelstad Theater’s basement is taking shape as well:
The Festival is thrilled to see our new home coming together. We will keep our audiences, donors, and fans updated as we build this dream together!
David Ivers, Artistic Director - Guest Blog
Thoughts From David
I was approached last week by our PR department to do a little blogging on behalf of USF…Now…I’ve never done this before so you’ll have to forgive the form if it’s somehow not to “industry” standards.
I took the job (the blogging job) for several reasons. First, I thought: “Well, this will be good: force me as one of the Artistic Directors to formulate a few thoughts about what I’m doing at USF to help ‘move the needle’ and share a few thoughts about what’s in the works for the future….you know; have the courage to put it in INK.”
Now, on the heels of THAT thought, this arrived:
“MAN…..this will be so cool when, at 9pm, after my sons have read and cleaned and brushed and shared some thoughts about the universe and asked the big questions and are finally asleep and all the little plastic toys that scar my feet are picked up and put away; after Steph (my wife) and myself finish the dishes and prep the house for the next morning; after that’s all done and we SIT and re-introduce ourselves to each other, she will invariably ask:
“How was work today, anything new?”
I will get to say:
“Good. Good. Yeah. Did a little Bloggin’.”
“Excuse me?” I can hear.
“Yup…did…uh….did a little Bloggin’. Blogging.”
“Really?”
“For USF…you know Nikki (Our PR Director) asked and I said yes…. (silence) I have a blog….(longer silence) I’m a blogger.”
“What did you BLOG about, dear?”
“Just wrote a bit about, the work Brian and myself are doing as we continue to look for new plays to produce at Utah Shakespeare and contemplate commissioning mores classics like the recent Sense and Sensibilitythat just closed in our 2014 summer season.
I wrote a bit about how the new Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts (BTSCA) will certainly require us to adjust our thinking in terms of HOW we program and WHAT we program. I’m excited (I wrote) about the possibility of opening our season a bit earlier and looking at how we might extend the Fall component of our work to allow greater access for our student and local population. The BTSCA will incorporate a smaller, flexible theater which will allow us to produce intimate works of varying genres to help build an audience during portions of the year that are not typically programmed.
I continued, Brian and myself along with Executive Director Scott Phillips and General Manager Zach Murray are meeting weekly to strategize effective ways to produce our work more efficiently, to organize the Utah Shakespeare Festival in a way that protects our resources and improves the support we offer our full and seasonal staff.
We are currently working with our board to complete a Long Range Plan, which has been stalled over the last two years as other priorities, and challenges have moved higher up the list. I’m excited, I wrote, about the progress being made with the caliber of artists who appear on and off our stages and hope to continue the trend as we look toward a 2015 season that will bring noted stage, film and TV actor TONY AMENDOLA to USF as King Lear.”
“You sound excited” smiled Steph.
“I am…there was a lot to share in my little Blog debut. Things like our great working sessions with a really dedicated production staff on how the 2016 and 2017 season line-up(s) look. How our repertory of plays may weave in and out of the calendar year and how we support our local southern Utah community as we continue to reach out beyond our borders.
We have a new and innovative approach to branding recently brought to us by our Marketing and Communications team that will certainly support our mission.
And, I’m eager to share results and details of upcoming casting sessions as we put together the 2015 company and I’m hopeful we will be in a position to announce our 2016 season in the new BTSCA sooner than later (3 titles have been chosen!).
All in all, it’s been great to share a few thoughts with our friends and supporters as we continue to build some of the best theatre in our country.”
“Wow.”
Steph quipped. “Big day….can’t wait to read it.”
Festival Inspires Generosity in Patrons
Cedar City, UT – The Utah Shakespeare Festival partnered with the Iron County Care and Share this fall to take action against hunger in Iron County. Throughout the 2014 fall season, southern Utah residents were able to participate in the eleventh annual Festival food drive. Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community, the Festival was able to donate 3,467 pounds of food to the Iron County Care and Share facility.
In addition to the food drive, Festival actors, musicians, and company members hosted a special, one-night only benefit concert, Singing for Supper, on October 2nd at the Iron Gate Inn donating all proceeds to the ICCS. The concert showcased the musical talents of Melinda Pfundstein, Zack Powell, Bree Murphy, Anthony Simone and many other Festival actors. Along with beautiful musical performances, actors also read testimonials from individuals who have benefited from the ICCS. The concert raised $465 and 103 pounds of food.
“Millions of Americans are at risk of hunger, one in five of whom are children,” said Singing for Supper event organizer Tanya Searle. “Iron County Care and Share provides food to an average of 800 families every month, helping parents and children achieve a more promising future and offering seniors a healthy and secure present. Donations help the ICCS continue to provide these valuable services to the community.”
“On behalf of the Iron County Care and Share, and the residents of Iron County who so desperately need immediate hunger relief; I would like to express our deep gratitude to all of those who work so hard each year to pull this food drive together.” Said ICCS Executive Director April Hill. “The pre-holiday season is very difficult for our organization because most of the larger food drives are held early in the year. The Festival food drive gives us the boost we need to provide hunger relief to our families before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For the fall season, the Festival offered discounts to theatergoers who donated at least six nonperishable food items. Local residents were able to see any Tuesday through Thursday production for half price with the food donation. Every week the bins were full of food in the Randall foyer, demonstrating the generosity of local residents.
The Iron County Care and Share still needs help feeding families this holiday season. They also welcome volunteers to assist them. You can visit the Iron County Care and Share at 222 West 900 North in Cedar City, or you can call 435-586-4962. According to the Iron County Care and Share, “food drives raise awareness of hunger in the community, collect food for people in need and play an essential role in the fight against hunger.”
Happy Halloween from The Utah Shakespeare Festival
The Fall is upon us, which means it’s time for Halloween! Feel the chill in the air, drink warm apple cider and find a spooky costume.
Fall means the leaves are beautiful hues of yellow, orange and red.
Halloween wouldn’t be the best holiday if it wasn’t for the food! Below are some “scary” recipes for your party.
Shrimp Brain Cocktail
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/appetizers-snacks/scary-cerebrum/
Carrot Rice Ball Mini Jack O’Lantern
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/appetizers-snacks/scary-cerebrum/
Carrot Rice Ball Mini Jack O’Lantern
Cheese Witch’s Brooms
www.cocinandoconcatman.com/recetas/recetas-aperitivos/escobas-de-bruja-de-queso-receta.htmld
Our Props Department knows how to decorate for the holidays!
Here at Utah Shakespeare Festival we have an amazing Costume Department, below are some ideas for your Halloween costume.
Famous Shakespeare Couples
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
Romeo and Juliet
Classic Shakespeare
Courtesan in The Comedy of Errors
Emilia in The Comedy of Errors
Kings of Shakespeare
King John
Richard III
Fantasy
Mermaid Pirate
Witch
Little Red Ridinghood and Wolf
Fairy
Literary Characters
Pip and Estella from Great Expectations
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice
The Dashwood Family from Sense and Sensibility
Scary Costumes
The Vision
Weyward Sisters
Doctor Faustus
Welcome Aubree Rasmussen & Nano Taggart
2014 MFA Grads: Wicai, Heaps, Taggart, McDonald
Change is in the air at the Festival. Leaves are turning brilliant shades of red and orange, dirt is being turned for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts all while we introduce two new faces to the Festival family. Help us welcome Aubree Rasmussen and Nano Taggart.
Aubree Rasmussen started in mid-September as the Guest Services Manager. She’s responsible for managing the ticket office, house management and the volunteers who serve as hosts in our theaters.
Aubree grew up in St. George, UT. She was a member of FFA (Future Farmers of America) where she specialized in gardening and plant identification. She moved to Cedar City to attend SUU (Southern Utah University) and graduated with a degree in Marketing. Her student job in Event Services evolved to a full-time position when she graduated.
Her parents and grandparents introduced her to the Festival and she’s always wanted work here. So when the Guest Services Manager position was posted, she applied and was hired.
When she’s not working, she loves to bake – her specialty is sugar cookies. She also loves to read young adult fiction and watch Netflix movies. Her favorite holiday is Halloween.
“I’m really excited to work for the Festival,“ said Aubree. “I have a great staff and I already love our patrons. I want to give people a good experience.”
Nathaniel (Nano) Taggart has been hired as the new Annual Fund Manager. In this role, he’ll work with Jyl Shuler (Development Director) on gala events and securing annual donations.
Nano’s relationship with the Festival began when he was a student at Dixie State in St. George, where he attended classes taught by Ace Pilkington, one of our Literary Seminar Directors. He transferred to Utah State where he graduated with a degree in English/Literary Studies. After a few years working outside of the arts, he returned to school at SUU and graduated last August with his MFA. While a student in the MFA program, Nano worked an assistantship in the Development Department, so we are thrilled to have him as a full-time member of the team.
He has a strong commitment to the arts. Five years ago, he was a founder of the Sugarhouse Review, a small press poetry publication. He writes poetry. And he serves on the board of the Cedar City Arts Council where is he is currently revamping their website.
“I love the Festival. Cedar City is an arts oasis in southern Utah and my wife Natalie and I are thrilled to be here. It’s an exciting time with the building of the Center – we’ll have an even greater convergence of the arts.”
Welcome Aubree & Nano!
Eric Weiman- Guest Blogger
Another new face at the Festival is Eric Weinman who plays Fabian in Twelfth Night and was in our summer production of The Comedy of Errors.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before?
I have never worked for the Festival before, this is my Utah debut!
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
I sent a tape to David Ivers and Brian Vaughn last October, and was lucky enough to get a call from David in early January. I have always been very drawn to the level of quality that Utah Shakespeare endows every production with; how rigorous the attention to the work is, and how accessible and exciting classical theatre is here. Its reputation is justly earned, as the perseverance toward excellence is pursued by every single department of the company, from the technical to the front of house.
Quinn Mattfeld, Roderick Peeples and Eric Weiman in *Twelfth Night.*Photo by Karl Hugh.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
Acting was something I naturally fell into. There was no “Ah-ha!” moment or revelation about wanting to pursue this craft; at a young age it just seemed as though it was the obvious course for me to follow. I was a tree in my junior high’s production of “Into The Woods Jr.” and everything continued from there.
Where’s your home base?
My home is Minneapolis, land of Ten Thousand Lakes. And -30 degree wind-chill.
What’s your education/training background?
Thus far I have received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota/ Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. I would love to go back to school, however and pursue a Master’s Degree.
Who/What inspired you to pursue your dream of acting?
My parents, first and foremost, are the biggest supporters and inspirations for following acting. As a young person interested in theater, they have always been supportive and accepting of the path I wish to follow. I also cannot think of where I would be today without Jon Ferguson and Ken Washington, two teachers and mentors of mine in Minneapolis who took chances on me early in my life as an actor and taught me that acting is a craft, an art, and not just a hobby.
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
My favorite plays are The Walworth Farce by Enda Walsh, and The Winter’s Tale by Shakespeare.
What is your dream role?
My dream role, as of now, is Sean in The Walworth Farce.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
If I were a superhero, I think I would want the ability to turn into different animals. That would work for any situation! If there was a battle, I could be a gorilla or tiger. If I had to hide, I could just turn into a mouse and run away.
High School Shakespeare Competition
Over 3,000 students and 118 schools will participate in the 38th annual Shakespeare Competition hosted by the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University. From October 9 to 11 student thespians from across the Intermountain West will compete as actors, dancers, musicians, and theatre technicians before panels of theatre, dance and music professionals in the largest scholastic Shakespeare competition in the country.
“Since 1977 this event has shaped the cultural landscape of the Intermountain West,” said Michael Bahr, Festival education director. “Students have been exposed to dance, music and theatre through the universal stories of William Shakespeare. Once a student is touched by his works, they will never be the same. Our organization is proud to sponsor this monumental event.”
Competitors range from sixth grade to high school seniors. Each participating school is invited to prepare up to three monologues, two duo/trio scenes, and an ensemble scene, as well as an interpretive dance, minstrel and madrigal music, and several presentations in technical theatre. Performing on Festival stages and in many classrooms on the SUU campus, students are adjudicated by professionals in the field.
Every year high school students put together a dance piece, either a duet/trio or ensemble piece, based on Shakespeare’s text, sonnets or poems. The choreography can be in any style, however it must be concert or performance dance. Dancers are adjudicated based on the use of space, rhythmic and timing, dynamics, technical ability and originality of the piece.
Andra Thorne from Davis High talks more about why she brings her students to the Shakespeare Competition. “I go so students can see other students work, they learn more from other students than they ever will from me. Professionals in the industry also critique them, which is absolutely invaluable. Students can finally understand why Shakespeare is a ‘big deal’, they can feel it and if they can perform Shakespeare, they can perform anything.”
The Shakespeare Competition is dramatically increasing their online and social media presence this year in order to engage students and increase communication during the competition. Visit their Twitter feed at @UTShakesComp, Instagram at @shakespearecomp and their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shakespearecomp to see updates and changes about the competition.
As part of the total experience, students are invited to attend the Festival’s fall productions of Twelfth Night, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, and Boeing Boeing.
More information and an event schedule can be found online at www.bard.org/competition/index.html.
#utahshakes
Rick Peeples- Guest Blogger
Roderick Peeples, a favorite at the Festival, is playing Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. He’s also Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and was Egeon in The Comedy of Errors this summer.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
Trinculo in The Tempest, USF 2013.
This is my fifth season with USF. My first season was 2009, when I played Fluellen in Henry V, and except for the 2010 season, I’ve been here since. I’ve played roles ranging from Peter Quince in The Midsummer Night’s Dream to Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, to Falstaff in Merry Wives of Windsor, to Juror #9 in Twelve Angry Men, and everything in between.
W****hat brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival? What is it about the Festival that brings you back?
I’ve worked at a number of different festivals across the country, and USF is my favorite. It’s a combination of the people, the organization, the audiences, the climate and location. It’s just one of the best places to work. Ever.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
Roderick Peeples as Sir Toby Belch and Quinn Mattfeld as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night.
Working in the theatre is the only thing that has constantly held my interest. Every other profession I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many - advertising, photography, computer programming among others) has ultimately left me bored and dismayed. Acting keeps me engaged and learning.
Where’s your home base?
Although I was raised in Texas, I’ve been based in Chicago for the past 25 years, and I consider it my home.
What’s your education/training background?
I received a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. My mentor there was Michael J. Finlayson, who was one of the early major influences on the Utah Shakespeare Festival; an award named after him is still awarded annually to a promising young actor in the USF Company.
What are you looking forward to this season?
I’m looking forward to once more assaying the role of Sir Toby Belch in David Ivers’ production of Twelfth Night. I played Toby about ten years ago, and I’m trying very hard to get him right this time. Also very much looking forward to playing Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, this fall.
Who/What inspired you to pursue your dream of acting/designing?
I was mesmerized as a child by Sir Laurence Olivier’s film performances in Hamlet, Richard III, Boys from Brazil, etc. I was awestruck by his ability to transform himself from role to role. I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps.
How will you spend your time off while here?
I am an amateur astronomer, and Utah offers some great night skies for exploring. In Chicago, I’ve been a sky show host at the Adler Planetarium for many years. Since I’ve been coming to Utah, I’ve made a point of hosting live sky shows, where I try to point out some of the interesting things in the night sky. I hope to continue that tradition this year.
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
So hard to pick just one; Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Tempest, and King Lear. For musicals, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables are right up there. Death of a Salesman is probably my favorite single American play.
What is your dream role?
Willie Loman and King Lear.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
To be able to tell the story that would instantly dispel all fear and despair, displacing them with permanent inspiration and hope.
Anthony Simone- Guest Blogger
Meet Anthony Simone.
Anthony plays Valentine/Officer/Ensemble inTwelfth Nightand Policeman/Clergy in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure**.** He was Pompey in Measure for Measurethis summer.
Anthony Simone (left) as Pompey and Henry Woronicz as Escalus *Measure for Measure.*Photo by Karl Hugh.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before?
This is my first time at the Festival, and I’m really excited to be apart of this wonderful season. USF has been on my theatre “bucket list” for some time.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
As a child, I often would get lost in my imagination spending hours as an astronaut trying to explore new parts of the universe or roaming through the pride lands as Simba the mighty King. So as you can imagine I jumped at every chance to perform both at school, as well as church plays.
But, in terms of why I keep doing my craft? I would say it’s because I love the challenge(s) that every show presents, as well as the things I constantly get to learn about myself and humanity as a whole.
Where’s your home base?
I’m currently a vagabond as I just graduated from UCI with my MFA in Acting. After, my contract with USF ends I plan on moving to NYC and starting the next chapter of my life.
What’s your education/training background?
Well I was originally a pre-med major back in undergrad. But after meeting my mentors Margaret and Peter Larlham by fate one day, in the midst of my Sophomore year, I decided to try double majoring. And after graduating I took a year off before I was accepted into UC Irvine’s MFA Acting program.
How will you spend your time off while here?
In no particular order - hiking, Vegas, sleeping, continue editing my one man show and start working on my winter body!
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
A Winters Tale
What is your dream role?
So many . . . but today’s truth would be Simba in Lion King or Edmund in King Learor Levee in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Back Bottom.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I’d want to be able to fly. Or better yet stop time so I can finally catch up on all my Netflix videos and books I want to read.
Singing For Supper: A Night of Music Benefiting the Iron County Care and Share
Singing For Supper: A Night of Music Benefitingthe Iron County Care and ShareA Fundraising Concert Located at the Iron Gate Inn
Cedar City, UT – On account of September being Hunger Action Month, Utah Shakespeare Festival actors, musicians and company members will be hosting a special, one-night only benefit concert with all proceeds being donated to the local food pantry, the Iron County Care and Share.
Singing for Supperwill take place on October 2, 2014 at 10:30 p.m. at the Iron Gate Inn. Suggested donation at the door is $10 or $7 with six canned food items. The Iron Gate Inn is located at 100 North 200 West in Cedar City.
This local fundraiser will showcase the musical talents of many actors from the Festival such as Melinda Pfundstein, Zack Powell, Bree Murphy and Anthony Simone, as well as musicians like Samuel Clein and Maggie Hollinbeck. The Festival hopes to raise awareness, food and monetary donations for our community members in need this fall.
“Millions of Americans are at risk of hunger, one in five of whom are children,” said event organizer Tanya Searle. “Iron County Care and Share provides food to an average of 800 families every month, helping parents and children achieve a more promising future and offering seniors a healthy and secure present. Every dollar donated at Singing for Supper will help the ICCS continue to provide these valuable services to the community.”
The ICCS assists individuals by providing a weekly pantry and an emergency shelter that offers hot meals, showers and rehabilitation assistance. This season the pantry is in need of canned proteins (tuna, chili, stew, peanut butter, beans), as well as non-food items such as toiletries, diapers, feminine products and laundry detergent, all of which are also given out at the pantry and shelter.
Along with the Singing for Supper event, The Grind on Main Street is donating 10 percent of their proceeds to the ICCS from 1 to 7 p.m. on October 2.
Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month is a nationwide campaign mobilizing the public to take action on the issue of hunger. This campaign brings greater attention to the issue of hunger in America and promotes ways for individuals everywhere to get involved with the movement. To learn more, visit their website at feedingamerica.org.
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 Cedar City, Utah.
Melinda Pfundstein