Utah Shakespeare Festival Launches Culture and Community Initiative 

By Liz Armstrong, guest writer

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is pleased to announce a renewed goal of celebrating being a vibrant community space that honors varying perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences through a Culture and Community initiative.

Spearheaded by Artistic Director John DiAntonio, the Culture and Community initiative was created in order to remain focused on making sure that every person at or coming to the Festival feels included, seen, heard, and valued. 

“Our culture and community work is at the heart of who we are as a company. The staff and board crafted a new statement in the spirit of founder Fred C. Adams and the legacy he began more than sixty years ago,” DiAntonio said. “I hope everyone feels welcome at the Festival—just as I did when I was first greeted by Fred on The Greenshow lawn nearly twenty years ago.”

Part of the statement is as follows: 

“The Utah Shakespeare Festival remains committed to being a gathering space for connection and shared ideas. The Festival strives to foster a culture of respect, kindness, curiosity, and collaboration among artists, audiences, and staff. Grounded in the timeless works of Shakespeare and other playwrights, we celebrate the richness of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.”

Ongoing Culture and Community initiatives are currently taking place in the following categories: Accessibility, Artistic Practice, Company Culture, Facilities and Housing, Education and Community Engagement, Human Resources and Hiring Practices, and the Culture and Community Committee.

Some of these initiatives include offering ASL-interpreted, open captioned, and sensory-friendly performances; regularly evaluating the stories the Festival tells and the voices elevated on stages; fostering an environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives; and maintaining and improving equitable housing options for company members. 

The addition of the Culture and Community Committee will help ensure that Festival productions and experiences are accessible and welcoming to all patrons, company members, and community members and will include rotating members from different departments, seasonal staff, and the Board of Governors. The committee will advise staff, support implementation, and help prioritize future initiatives. 

For more information on all listed initiatives and the full culture and community statement, visit our Culture and Community page. 

“Storytelling has the power to engage, uplift, and transform,” DiAntonio continued. “This culture and community work strengthens our bonds—not only among artists and staff, but with the communities we serve—and ensures the Festival remains a vibrant, relevant, and inclusive space for all.”

To be a part of this transformative power of storytelling, the Festival invites you to participate in the 64th season, going now through October 4. Visit bard.org for more information on this season’s lineup and activities.