The Utah Shakespeare Festival is offering a multi-sensory cultural experience in Cedar City this summer, featuring educational programming, backstage access, and outdoor performances hosted near the Southern Utah University campus. The festival's current season highlights include production seminars, matinee musicals, and free community gatherings designed to extend engagement beyond traditional evening plays.
Educational and Behind-the-Scenes Access
According to a July 9 report from The Independent, the festival experience is structured to provide visitors with deep dives into the theatrical process. Morning activities often include backstage tours that allow guests to view production spaces and the costume shop where artists prepare for the season's performances.
Theatrical Process and Demonstrations
For attendees seeking intellectual engagement, the festival provides production seminars led by scholars. These sessions feature perspectives from directors, actors, and designers to explain the creative decisions behind the stage productions. Additionally, the festival offers Repertory Magic demonstrations, which showcase how production crews transform massive sets between different shows in a matter of minutes. These demonstrations include a live question-and-answer session with the festival's production manager.
Indoor Matinee Programming
The Randall L. Jones Theatre serves as a venue for indoor matinee offerings across several genres. The current repertoire includes the British comedy See How They Run, the Broadway musical She Loves Me, and the Renaissance-themed musical Something Rotten!. These afternoon performances are often preceded by play orientation sessions to prepare audiences for the shows.
Outdoor Evening Performances
Outdoor programming remains a cornerstone of the festival's summer schedule. As evening approaches, the community gathers at the Ashton Family Greenshow Commons for The Greenshow, a free outdoor performance featuring music, storytelling, and laughter. Following this, the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre hosts evening performances under the stars, with a repertoire that includes Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Troilus and Cressida.
Anniversary and Local Integration
The current summer season holds particular significance as the region celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, which is located on the Southern Utah University campus. The festival's proximity to historic Cedar City boutiques, galleries, and eateries allows visitors to integrate theatre with local tourism.
Regional Access and Tours
Regional partnerships are also facilitating access to the festival. On July 15, Ivins City Parks and Recreation hosted a day trip for residents from the St. George area. The $100 excursion included luxury shuttle transportation, a backstage tour, and tickets to a matinee performance of Something Rotten!, operating from 8 AM until 6:30 PM.
