Utah Shakespeare Festival Honored with Governor’s Mansion Artist Award
The Utah Shakespeare Festival has received the prestigious Governor’s Mansion Artist Award earlier this month, celebrating more than six decades of artistic distinction, statewide cultural leadership, and educational impact. Presented by Governor Spencer J. Cox and First Lady Abby Cox, the annual award honors visual, performing, culinary, and cultural artists whose work enriches Utah communities.
The Festival was honored alongside Utah painter Ron Richmond and the late former Utah State Senator Haven J. Barlow, who was recognized posthumously. Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr and Artistic Director John DiAntonio accepted the award on behalf of the Festival, which Governor and First Lady Cox recognized for making Cedar City “a destination for exceptional theater.”
“Receiving the Governor’s Mansion Artist Award is a tremendous distinction for our entire organization,” said Bahr. “I am so proud of our company; the incredible actors, technicians, directors, and artisans who pour so much skill and hard work into every production. The Festival has always been rooted in Cedar City, and it is wonderful to see the impact our work brings to this community.”
Founded on the campus of Southern Utah University in 1961, the Festival is the professional theatre company of SUU. The unique partnership connects university classrooms to professional regional theatre, giving theatre arts students the chance to train directly alongside seasoned industry professionals, earn professional credits, and gain real-world experience before graduating.
To mark the historic occasion, company members Kyleen Doman, Luke Elison, Ivy Robbins, Veronique Robledo, Ty Saunders, and Meggie Siegrist performed for guests at the Governor’s Mansion. Five of the six performers—Doman, Elison, Robbins, Robledo, and Saunders—are current SUU theatre arts students working professionally with the company.
They were joined by the award-winning dance ensemble from Kearns High School, which earned top honors at the Festival’s annual Shakespeare Competition on the SUU campus last month. The competition brings thousands of middle and high school students from across the Intermountain West to Cedar City each fall for performance opportunities, workshops, and educational adjudication.
State leaders and longtime philanthropic partners attended the event, including representatives from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. Both foundations have played an essential role in expanding educational access, campus facilities, and artistic programming at SUU and the Festival.
Photos courtesy of the Utah State Office of the Governor
