News From the Festival
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from the Utah Shakespeare Festival!
We want to thank our donors, audience members, volunteers, and fans for their support this year. We have so many things to be thankful for; a successful 2014 season, starting construction on the new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, a world premier, a visit from England and continuing to bring Shakespeare’s words to life. Thank you to all.
Enjoy Christmas of Yesteryear
This December, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is partnering with the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum to present Christmas at the Homestead from December 8 through 13. The weeklong holiday celebration will feature local entertainment, pioneered-themed crafts, an arts festival, tasty treats and nightly appearances from St. Nicholas. Activities start at 5:30 p.m. during the week with an all day event-taking place on Saturday, December 13. Entry is only $5 per family or $1.50 for individuals.
With so many holiday events happening all around town, the Museum approached the Festival last year about creating one unifying community-centered Christmas event. Park Manager Todd Prince commented, “Partnering with the Utah Shakespeare Festival has allowed us to significantly expand our Christmas event this year, from one evening to an entire week. This is a great opportunity for individuals and families to benefit from an affordable and entertaining holiday experience. Christmas at the Homestead gives us a chance to celebrate our rich heritage and give something back to the community.”
With such a large undertaking, both organizations are reaching out for support. Volunteers are needed as greeters. Local artists are needed for decorating. Musicians are needed to perform carols. And that’s just the beginning. There are many volunteer opportunities to fit any skill level. If you are interested in participating, please email Volunteer Coordinator Kris Bahr at kris@bard.org.
Christmas at the Homestead is for the whole family. Every day there will be a featured artist inside the museum doing live demonstrations while outside all the buildings will be lit up and open for exploration. There will be crafts, hot chocolate, music and Christmas cheer. The festivities begin on December 8 with an all day culmination event happening on Saturday, December 13.
For more information visit http://www.frontierhomestead.org or call Ryan Paul, museum curator at (435) 586-9290.
Another Successful Season Supports the Festival Legacy
With a $38 million project under construction, a world premiere adaptation, a visit from England, and the continuation of the Complete the Canon and History Cycle initiatives, the Utah Shakespeare Festival showed no signs of slowing down in 2014, its 53rd season. Producing 235 performances in rotating repertory in three theatres for 17 weeks is no easy feat, but through countless hours, a dedicated group of artists has pulled off another artistically successful year.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
“Cedar City, Utah, is a midsummer’s dream of a spot, where top-caliber theater rubs shoulders with high-desert canyons,” said Los Angeles Times reporter Sherry Stern. “If you’re an avid theatergoer, Cedar City’s Utah Shakespeare Festival is a must.” A must indeed, especially with the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, the new performing and visual arts complex, under construction.
When the first shovel broke ground on the long-awaited Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts on the campus of Southern Utah University, the cultural landscape of southern Utah was forever changed. Demolition of nine buildings took place in August and September, and now construction crews are working on rerouting utility lines. With red dirt flying, the Center is on track to finish in January 2016.
The Center is predicted to further establish Cedar City as a regional arts mecca. It will serve as the home to the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, the new Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre, an artistic/production building and rehearsal studio for the Festival, and SUU’s Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). The Center also features a tree lined walkway and sculpture gardens and will offer many large public gathering spaces ideal for receptions and special events.
Another large undertaking this year was the world premiere adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility co-written by J. R. Sullivan and Joseph Hanreddy. Sullivan and Hanreddy also wrote Pride and Prejudice, which appeared at the Festival to great acclaim in 2010. The adaptation faithfully followed the plot and themes of Austen’s beloved novel.
“From the masterfully adapted script, courtesy of Director Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan, to a beautifully simplistic set that allows for seamless transitions, this theatrical jewel opens the door to Austen’s classic work in a way not previously explored,” said Lisa Larson, reporter for The Spectrum.
Eva Balistrieri (left) as Marianne Dashwood and Cassandra Bissell as Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility
Also, this summer scholars and lovers of Shakespeare traveled from England to America to study why Shakespeare is so popular here, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival was on their list of places to visit. Shakespeare on the Road, a team from the University of Warwick and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which is based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, stopped at the Festival as part of a 60-day road trip visiting 14 Shakespeare-related theatre festivals across America.
“We were thrilled to be a part of this amazing study being undertaken by the University of Warwick and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust,” said Festival Executive Director R. Scott Phillips. “Chronicling the love affair that America has with master William Shakespeare is astounding, and to have it done with our friends from the UK is even more astonishing.”
The History Cycle initiative, now in its second year, introduced audiences to young prince Hal in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One. According to Barbara Bannon from the Salt Lake Tribune, “Henry IV Part One is a compelling start to the story of Henry V’s kingship. Its to-be-continued ending promises good things to come.”
One of the goals of the History Cycle is to have elements of consistency within each production as this further establishes a common thread from one show to the next. It gives cohesiveness to this series that is engaging and dramatic. The most exciting development with the History Cycle is the announcement that three actors have been hired with the commitment that they will continue their roles throughout the Henry tetralogy.
Larry Bull, who played Bolingbroke in 2013 in Richard II, returned in 2014 to assume his role as the newly appointed King Henry IV. Sam Ashdown, who was new to the Festival this season, was been hired to play Hal. Audiences will see him grow over three seasons from a young, rebellious teen (Prince Hal in 2014) to one of England’s most heroic and noble kings (Henry V in 2016). Last but certainly not least is Henry Woronicz who is playing the loveable rogue knight, Sir John Falstaff.
The Festival continues to offer more than just plays: guests were able to experience the free nightly Greenshow, the New American Playwrights Project, Bardway Baby!, production and literary seminars, orientations before every show, backstage tours, educational classes, and Repertory Magic.
Other season highlights include the many community outreach programs that the Festival participated in. These included Military Appreciate Night, July Jamboree, Groovefest, the Iron County Care and Share Fall Food Drive,and Relay for Life.
Although the plays have closed, the Festival staff is hard at work preparing for the 2015 season. Artistic Director David Ivers commented, “The 2014 season brought strong productions and phenomenal artists to our stages. Our full time and seasonal staff are to be commended for delivering some of the finest professional theatre in the country. We are very excited to share 2015 with you!”
The Center is predicted to further establish Cedar City as a regional arts mecca. It will serve as the home to the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, the new Anes studio theatre, an artistic/production building and rehearsal studio for the Festival, and SUU’s Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). The Center also features a tree lined walkway and sculpture gardens and will offer many large public gathering spaces ideal for receptions and special events.
“We were thrilled to be a part of this amazing study being undertaken by the University of Warwick and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust,” said Festival Executive Director R. Scott Phillips. “Chronicling the love affair that America has with master William Shakespeare is astounding, and to have it done with our friends from the UK is even more astonishing.”
The History Cycle initiative, now in its second year, introduced audiences to young prince Hal in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One. According to Barbara Bannon from the Salt Lake Tribune, “Henry IV Part One is a compelling start to the story of Henry V’s kingship. Its to-be-continued ending promises good things to come.”
Sam Ashdown (left) as Prince Hal and Henry Woronicz as Falstaff in Henry IV Part One.
One of the goals of the History Cycle is to have elements of consistency within each production as this further establishes a common thread from one show to the next. It gives cohesiveness to this series that is engaging and dramatic. The most exciting development with the History Cycle is the announcement that three actors have been hired with the commitment that they will continue their roles throughout the Henry tetralogy.
Larry Bull, who played Bolingbroke in 2013 in Richard II, returned in 2014 to assume his role as the newly appointed King Henry IV. Sam Ashdown, who was new to the Festival this season, was been hired to play Hal. Audiences will see him grow over three seasons from a young, rebellious teen (Prince Hal in 2014) to one of England’s most heroic and noble kings (Henry V in 2016). Last but certainly not least is Henry Woronicz who is playing the loveable rogue knight, Sir John Falstaff.
The Festival continues to offer more than just plays: guests were able to experience the free nightly Greenshow, the New American Playwrights Project, Bardway Baby!, production and literary seminars, orientations before every show, backstage tours, educational classes, and Repertory Magic.
Other season highlights include the many community outreach programs that the Festival participated in. These included Military Appreciate Night, July Jamboree, Groovefest, the Iron County Care and Share Fall Food Drive,and Relay for Life.
Although the plays have closed, the Festival staff is hard at work preparing for the 2015 season. Artistic Director David Ivers commented, “The 2014 season brought strong productions and phenomenal artists to our stages. Our full time and seasonal staff are to be commended for delivering some of the finest professional theatre in the country. We are very excited to share 2015 with you!”
The Center is predicted to further establish Cedar City as a regional arts mecca. It will serve as the home to the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, the new Anes studio theatre, an artistic/production building and rehearsal studio for the Festival, and SUU’s Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). The Center also features a tree lined walkway and sculpture gardens and will offer many large public gathering spaces ideal for receptions and special events.
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