News From the Festival
Military Appreciation Days
Military Appreciation Days at the Utah Shakespeare Festival
Cedar City, UT –The Utah Shakespeare Festival will be celebrating our Armed Forces on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13 by offering free tickets to the evening performances of Twelfth Night for military personnel and their families up to six. The Festival appreciates the sacrifices of the men and women who serve and wants to recognize their dedication and commitment to this country.
The Festival will be proud to welcome Utah’s 222nd National Guard and any other active or inactive service personnel, as well as their families. A valid military ID is required.
Twelfth Night starts with Viola and Sebastian separated at sea due to a shipwreck. Viola lands in Illyra and disguises herself as a man, Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia. Viola, dressed as Cesario, woos Olivia, but she starts to fall in love with Orsino, as Olivia starts to fall in love with Cesario. Confusion continues as Sir Andrew, Toby Belch and Maria conspire to make Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio, believe that Olivia has fallen for him. In the end, the hilarious cast of characters does find love, even when they least expect it.
Twelfth Night is playing at 7:30 p.m. on September 12 and September 13. Military personal are invite to reserve tickets by contacting the Festival ticket office at 800-PLAYTIX or bard.org. A valid military ID will be required to pick up the tickets, and there is a limit of six tickets per family. Space is limited for this special event, so call soon to reserve your seats.
Tickets for the Festival’s 2014 season, which will run until October 18, are now on sale. The fall season includes Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure and Boeing Boeing as well as Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. For more information and tickets visit www.bard.org or call 1-800-PLAYTIX.
Sarah Greenman- Guest Blogger
Meet Festival company member Sarah Greenman. Sarah is playing Granny/Giant/Cinderella’s Mother in Into the WoodsandLady Middleton in Sense and Sensibility
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
My husband has worked at the Festival as voice and text coach for the past six seasons, but this is my first time in the acting company.
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
USF is the perfect fusion of high quality theater, gorgeous natural surroundings and outstanding people. USF has made it possible for both my husband and I to work in our field and bring our children along for the ride. Cedar City is a dreamy place for our family of four to spend the summer. My 6 year old takes swimming and karate lessons, my 3 year old enjoys the many parks. And my husband and I have the extraordinary opportunity to share the stage together. What’s not to love about USF?
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
I come from a theater family. Storytelling is what we do and my parents were very supportive of my choice to pursue the arts - I am also a painter and a writer. The thing that keeps me going is my core interest in people. I am infinitely fascinated by the big “why”: why do we say what we say, act how we act, live how we live, want what we want. Theater strikes at the center of these questions for me.
Sarah Greenman (Left), Bri Sudia, Cassandra Bissell in Sense and Sensibility. Photo by Karl Hugh.
Where’s your home base?
Although I was born and raised on the Central Coast of California, I am now residing in Dallas, TX.
What’s your education/training background?
I attended Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR before transferring to the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA. Then I finished my degree at Mills College with a degree in literature and creative writing.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Nurturing relationships with the amazing acting and artistic company here at USF. The crews, the stage managers, the design teams, the actors, the staff and audiences - so many people to discover and know better. What a gift!
How will you spend your time off while here?
I will spend my time enjoying my two sons and the gorgeous weather. Dallas is not kind during the summer months, but here - here it is heaven!
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
I fell in love with Twelfth Night - my most favorite of Shakespeare’s plays - while playing Viola about 15 years ago.
But I also dearly love Three Sisters by Chekhov, Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones, and Sweeny Todd by Sondheim.
What is your dream role?
Mama in Gypsy, Mrs. Lovett in *Sweeny Todd,*Sonya in Uncle Vanya, Constance in *King John -*oh there are so many!
What is your dream show to design/craft?
In my work as a playwright and writer, I dream of adapting two of my favorite books for the stage - The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and The Alienist by Caleb Carr
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
The ability to dispel hatred would be very cool. However, flight is also very tempting.
Amanda Mills and Kelli Lennox- Guest Bloggers
Kelli Lennox
**Kelli Lennox ,**Stage Crew
Have you ever worked at the Festival before?
No I have not worked at the Festival, this is my first year!
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
I was drawn to the Festival because of the amazing shows that are produced and the professional association with the company.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
This is my first year as a stage hand but I love theatre because it inspires people and through theatre I hope to uplift and inspire those around me. Also being a stage hand, you get to create the magic backstage that inspires the audience, so I enjoy being part of the mystery.
Where’s your home base?
Gahanna, Ohio
What’s your education/training background?
I just graduated with a B.A. in Theatre from Ashland University.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Working with people from all over the United States and hopefully making some lifelong friends and connections.
Who/What inspired you to pursue your dream of acting/designing?
I have always loved theatre, I would rather look back on my life knowing I at least tried going after my dreams, than looking back and regretting I didn’t try because of fear. My parents have taught me that I should do what I love and reach for my dreams.
How will you spend your time off while here?
Hanging out with friends and possibly making a couple trips to Las Vegas to see some of the shows there!
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
Musical- A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Play- Peter and the Starcatcher
Shakespeare play- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Flying so I could go anywhere I wanted and see the world!
**Amanda Mills,**Ticket Office
Have you ever worked at the Festival before?
I have not! This is my first year. I have seen every show since 2011, though.
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
The Festival has a great atmosphere. It’s friendly, it’s family oriented, and it’s high quality.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
Working in the Ticket Office is fun because I get to be around a lot of people who love theater. I actually want to be a writer. I enjoy meeting people and getting to know their stories.
Where’s your home base?
Syracuse, Utah
What’s your education/training background?
I’m an English major (Creative Writing emphasis) at Southern Utah University.
How will you spend your time off while here?
I write murder mysteries, so there will certainly be some of that happening. Also, I will be working on my Honors thesis on the economics of magic in fantastic literature.
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
Musical: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Play: The Importance of Being Earnest
Shakespeare play: The Tempest
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
The ability to never need sleep. I would be so productive.
Help Families in Need During the Fall Food Drive
Cedar City, UT – The Utah Shakespeare Festival is holding its 11th annual fall food drive from September 5 to October 18. Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community, last year the Festival was able to donate 3667 pounds of food to the Iron County Care and Share.
Local residents can participate by donating six items of nonperishable food per individual on the day of the performance directly to the Festival and receive a half price ticket to any Tuesday through Thursday performance. This offer is also valid to Twelfth Night on Friday and Saturday on September 5, 6, 12 and 13. Food donation barrels will be located in the Randall L. Jones Theatre lobby next to the ticket window.
“When we first began our fall season many years ago, we wanted to thank our community and give something back,” said Executive Director R. Scott Philips. “We thought a food drive for the less fortunate in our community was the perfect vehicle. Over the years we have donated thousands of pounds of food to Iron County Care and Share through this important program.”
Residents of Iron, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Sevier, Piute, and Beaver counties in Utah are eligible for the discount, as well as patrons from Lincoln County, Nevada. All residents should bring proof of residency and six nonperishable food items for each discounted ticket they wish to purchase. This offer is good Tuesday through Thursday on the day of the performance only. There is a limit of four discounted tickets per resident I.D.
Tickets for the Festival’s 2014 season, which will run until October 18, are now on sale. The fall season includes Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure and Boeing Boeing as well as Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. For more information and tickets visit www.bard.org or call 1-800-PLAYTIX.
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.
Connor Bond- Guest Blogger
Ashdown as Prince Hal & Bond as Edward Poins. Photo by Karl Hugh
We have many new faces to our acting company this year and one of them includes Connor Bond. He will be in Henry IV Part 1 as Poins and inSense and Sensibility as Robert Ferrars. Below are his comments on being at the Festival for the first time.
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
This is my first time at the Festival, but I heard from so many fellow actors what a wonderful place it was to work. It’s been amazing getting to actually work here. The community is awesome. I was reminded what a small world it is coming here because I already knew a few people in the ensemble before I even got here, including three classmates from my recently graduated MFA class.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
I started out as a jazz musician, playing tenor saxophone, and then decided I wanted my practicing to be in a community creating a piece, instead of alone in my room most of the day. I still play saxophone a lot, especially in productions, but acting provided a technique I could develop through myself and not through an outside instrument.
Where’s your home base?
I am originally from Portland, Oregon. The great Northwest!
What’s your education/training background?
I got my BA in drama and minor in music from the University of Portland and then immediately went on to get my MFA in acting from the University of California, Irvine.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
I’m most looking forward to being outside. Riding my bike, going on hiking adventures, and of course acting outside on the Adams. There is something supremely fulfilling and wholly connective about performing theatre (especially Shakespeare) out in wind, sky and trees that reminds you why you started acting in the first place.
Who/What inspired you to pursue your dream of acting/designing?
My family was probably my biggest influence. My mother was always pushing us to be apart of productions from a young age and my father is a videographer for Oregon Public Broadcasting, so I grew up in a television studio essentially.
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
My all-time favorites areJesus Christ Superstar,**Waiting for GodotandJulius Caesar.
What is your dream role?
I have many, but a big one is Brutus in Julius Caesar.
What is your dream show to design/craft?
I would love to one day direct The Creation of the World and Other Business by Arthur Miller.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I would want to be able to change the laws of gravity. I actually created this superhero as a comic book character. He had ancestry to Sir Isaac Newton.
Mary Jane Schaefer, NAPP Playwright
During August, the Festival features the New American Playwrights Project (NAPP). Playwrights submit their plays and only three are selected for a staged reading, with Festival company members directing and acting. Each play has three readings.
This week, we feature Hamlet’s Shakespeare by Mary Jane Schaefer. The play focuses on Will’s reaction to the death of Hamnet Shakespeare, his only son.
We talked with Ms. Schaefer to learn more about her and her inspiration for the play.
Mary Jane Schaefer
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I first read Romeo and Juliet when I was twelve years old and I fell madly in love with the play and the playwright. In college I performed a lot of Shakespeare. I’ve since acted professionally, taught, been a dramaturg and written many plays, including a monologue “The Great Will Shakespeare Speaks” that’s been performed in Canada and on the grounds of the Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, Connecticut.
What was your inspiration for this play?
The kernel of the play came from a 24-hour playwriting festival, where a topic, actors, and director were assigned. The goal was to write a ten-minute play that would be performed 24 hours later. My assigned topic was “Shakespeare in the Dark”. From that nugget, I wrote this full- length play*: Hamlet’s Shakespeare.*
Rick Peeples- Actor in Hamlet’s Shakespeare
Ericka Haaland- Actor in Hamlet’s Shakespeare
What do you expect as a result of this experience?
I’ve seen some of director, Henry Woronicz’s, work and I feel I’m in very good hands. I’m eager to see what his emphasis will be and what he’d like changed. I’d like to hear how the script sounds, how the actors respond – what they’re comfortable and uncomfortable with. And, of course, I’d very much like to hear from the audience, especially what they would name the play because I don’t think this title is the final one.
Being here is a tremendous experience for me, as well as a wonderful honor. I want to participate as fully as possible, get to know people, and enjoy this great Festival.
Why should our patrons attend this play reading?
I think my play presents a new and dramatic impression of what Shakespeare might have been like as a man. I used a form of Elizabethan English to create an illusion of being there, in his world, in his mind, so we feel what he might have been going through while he wrote *Hamlet,*after his son’s death.
Hamlet’s Shakespeare will be directed by Henry Woronicz. Actors include Bailey Duncan, Ericka Haaland, Sara Griffin and Rick Peeples. Performances are August 22, 23 and 29, 10am in the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX
Dan Borengasser, NAPP Playwright
During August, the Festival features the New American Playwrights Project (NAPP). Playwrights submit their plays and only three are selected for a staged reading, with Festival company members directing and acting. This provides an opportunity for the playwright to make changes, both during rehearsals and as a result of feedback received during the talkbacks after the first two performances.
This week, we’re featuring Breakout by Dan Borengasser. “Roach” Rhinowsky and Russell Sloan share a jail cell, but they don’t agree on much. Then the prison adopts a theatre program as a form of rehabilitation, and the two concoct a shared goal. They decide the play the inmates will produce Hamlet, will be the perfect distraction for a breakout.
We chatted with Dan to learn more about him and his play.
Dan Borengasser
Tell us about your background.
I was with a film and video production company. I wrote scripts with them. We made commercials and corporate videos. After retiring, I continued writing screen plays and then stage plays. I’ve entered many contests and had readings all over the world. One play, *The Gospel According to Bowser,*has been produced and performed in New York, LA, Florida, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Cassandra Bissell-one of the actors in Breakout
What is the inspiration for “Breakout?”
After listening to an NPR program about Shakespeare in prison, I wrote a ten-minute screenplay called *Breakout.*I entered in a contest and the film was made. Then I decided to expand it to a full-length stage play.
What’s the difference between writing a screen play and a stage play?
Screen plays tend to be more streamlined and action driven. Stage plays are more dialogue driven. Pacing is important because the audience needs time to absorb the material.
What do you expect as a result of this week?
I expect to do some rewriting. I’ll see what works and what doesn’t and get it back out there. This workshop experience is unusual in that I have the opportunity to get live feedback from the director, actors and audience.
Why should our patrons attend this play?
It’s a rare opportunity to see a work in progress and provide feedback that could affect the outcome, the final product.
Breakoutis directed by Quinn Mattfeld. Actors include Cassandra Bissell, Drew Shirley and Kipp Moorman. Performances are August 15, 16, 28 at 10am in the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Levi Miles- Guest Blogger
The Festival requires an army to create our shows. Some of the soldiers are not onstage, but in the shops making sure the costumes are built. Meet Levi Miles our costume design supervisor who helped create the costumes for this season.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what capacity?
This is my third season at the Festival. In 2012, I worked as a wardrobe technician in the Adams Theatre, working on Titus Andronicus, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Merry Stuart. Last season, I served as a wardrobe technician in the Randall Theatre, on Peter and the Starcatcherand Anything Goes. I’ve also done some work in the costume crafts department, as well as giving backstage tours. This year I’m working as the costume design supervisor, assisting the costume director, the designers, and attempting to keep everything running smoothly in the shop.
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival? What is it about the Festival that brings you back?
I came to the Festival to further my education, and was hired by Jeff Lieder, who is the costume director here at the Festival, as well as my professor back home. USF is a really unique opportunity for costumers because it allows you to further your building and
crafting skills in May, and then watch your pieces come to life on stage throughout the summer.
I come back because of the friendships you make. You develop a really close bond with
your fellow artisans, and the performers you are responsible for taking care of during the
run of the show.
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
I fell into costuming. In all honesty I never really planned on being a costumer, or a
crafter. I went into school knowing I wanted to tell stories, and I bounced around a couple
of majors (English education, performance, journalism … etc) before landing in the
costume shop. I still plan on going into storytelling and journalism, but I really enjoy making things, and I love the challenge of taking a 2D rendering and making it into a real object.
Where’s your home base?
I’m based out of Milwaukee, WI.
What’s your education/training background?
Next May I will be graduating from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Costume Production,
a BA in History, and a BA in Religious Studies, with a focus on Early Christianity.
How will you spend your time off while here?
We have a lot of fun playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder
after the shows and on the weekends. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s made possible by having the awesome game store on Main Street (Gunjah) having everything we need to play!
What is your favorite musical/play/Shakespeare play?
DefinitelyTitus Andronicus.
What is your dream show to design/craft?
I think the show I’d most like to design would be She Kills Monsters, by Qui Nguyen.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I think I’d like to have the power to alter reality or grant wishes – like the Scarlet Witch from the Marvel universe.
Rose-Mary Harrington, NAPP Playwright
During August, the Festival features the New American Playwrights Project (NAPP). Playwrights submit their plays and only three are selected for a staged reading, with Festival company members directing and acting. Each play has three readings.
This week’s play is Six Seconds, written by Rose-Mary Harrington. The play presents the events surrounding the JFK assassination through the vortex of the women caught in its awful grip: Lady Bird Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, Nellie Connally and Marina Oswald.
We met with Rose-Mary to learn more about her and the play.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and educated in England, just outside of London. I’ve lived in the US for many years and currently live in Charleston, S.C. I’ve written several full-length plays, had a play performed at the Kennedy Center and was named the Oregon Literary Fellow for Drama in 2009. My plays are diverse in subject matter. I am drawn to writing about those who do not have a voice.
Bull plays LBJ
What was your inspiration for this play?
I received a solicitation in 2012. They were looking for plays to commemorate the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death. As I researched, I realized the women who were involved possessed a unique perspective – I could relate to them – they’re all mothers and wives. On the outside they were all together and presented themselves very well. They played the traditional role of the wife at home and they supported their men. Each of them had a story to tell.
What do you expect as a result of this NAPP experience?
I want to iron out the wrinkles, see what works, what doesn’t, what needs to be added or deleted. Hearing the play read aloud by actors allows me to listen to the cadences and rhythms of the language and make adjustments. As a playwright I am solitary. Witnessing the interpretations of the director and actors together with their feedback has been invaluable.
It’s a treat and an honor for me to be here.
Allred plays Jackie Kennedy
Why should our patrons attend this play?
It’s a chance to revisit that turning point in history – it is very emotional. This is about the people involved. In six seconds it not only changed their lives, it changed the whole nation.
You can see Six Seconds, directed by Charles Metten and featuring Tracie Thomason as Lady Bird Johnson, Samantha Allred as Jackie Kennedy and Larry Bull as LBJ on August 8, 9 and 27 at 10am in the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Grant Goodman- Guest Blogger
Meet Grant Goodman who plays Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night and Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.
Have you ever worked at the Festival before? If so, for how many years and in what roles/capacity?
This is my third season at the Festival. In years prior I played Macbeth, Petruchio inThe Taming of the Shrew, Bassanio in Merchant of Venice and Le Bret in Cyrano de Bergerac.
What brought you to Utah Shakespeare Festival?
My first season here (back in 2008), when I came out to play Petruchio, I auditioned in Chicago. I didn’t really know anyone at the Festival but later, R. Scott Phillips, the Executive Director, told me that he knew quite a few people that knew my work. So, I guess that had a hand in my landing here too!
Grant Goodman as Orsino in Twelfth Night
Why Utah Shakespeare Festival? What is it about the Festival that brings you back?
First and foremost, the crowds and the atmosphere. USF has such a great fan base and following - like no other theatre in the country. It’s magical to be here in Cedar City at about 7pm when the Greenshow is about to begin and the sun is setting and the weather is perfect. The energy of the crowds as they watch the Greenshow and file into the Adams or the Randall is just tremendous. It’s a true festival feeling. One of the many other reasons I love it here is because of the energy and excitement generated by true rotating repertory theatre. Six shows plus the three Greenshows running at any one time, with a company of actors, designers, staff and crew that come from all over the world makes for an exhilarating environment!
What brought you to your field and what keeps you doing your craft?
I had some amazing teachers in high school that taught Shakespeare and made it come alive. They had us memorize speeches from his plays to learn from them. I loved it! I also saw a production at The Actors Theatre of Louisville of Macbethwhen I was in high school that made me want to become a Shakespearean actor.
What’s your education/training background?
I went to the National Shakespeare Conservatory and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Neil Geisslinger and Grant Goodman in Twelfth Night
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Again, I think the crowds and the enthusiastic reception of what we do here. The seminars in the grove and the panels and talkbacks etc., give us a great chance to meet the audiences. It’s so refreshing to see how much our work means to them.
Who/What inspired you to pursue your dream of acting?
My father was a football coach, and although he always encouraged me to pursue my interests, none of my other teachers in high school wanted to push me in the direction of the arts for fear of what my father might think! It wasn’t until I had a student teacher in drama say that she thought I should “move to New York and be an actor” that I actually thought it was a real possibility.
What is your favorite Shakespeare play?
My simple answer to this is usually - whatever Shakespeare play I happen to be doing at the time! Mainly because once you get in the inside of one of his plays, you see just how wonderfully crafted it is and how elegant the language is. Especially his later plays. If forced to choose I might say Pericles. It’s such a gorgeous story and it has two of the most beautiful scenes Shakespeare (and/or his collaborator!) ever wrote.
What is your dream role?
I actually just had the great, good fortune to play my dream role just prior to coming to Cedar City! - The title role in Hamlet!
Twelfth Night photos by Karl Hugh