Fred C. Adams, Utah Shakespeare Festival founder, passes away at age 89
By Donn Jersey
Fred C. Adams, founder of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, passed away early today in Cedar City.
Adams founded the Utah Shakespeare Festival in 1961 with his late wife Barbara Gaddie Adams. Under his guidance, the festival grew from a budget of $1,000 and approximately 3,000 paid admissions in 1962 to an annual attendance today of approximately 100,000 and an annual budget of more than $8 million.
The festival is considered one of the most prestigious theatres in the United States and has received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater, an Emmy Award, and the Utah Best of State Award, among other accolades.
During the past years, Adams nurtured the festival and arts in Utah in many ways. He directed all three plays the first season in 1962: “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Hamlet,” and “The Merchant of Venice.” He was also the main fundraiser, producer, and cheerleader of the fledgling company. He worked tirelessly to have the festival’s first permanent building constructed: the Adams Memorial Shakespeare Theatre, named for Thomas and Luella Adams (the parents of Utah philanthropist Grace Tanner, wife of Obert C. Tanner). The building was finished in 1977 and was the home of the festival every summer through 2015.
He was also instrumental in building the Randall L. Jones Theatre in 1989, which later became the first building on the new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, which was completed in 2016 and included three theaters: the Randall Theatre, the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, and the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre.
Adams was the consummate theatre professional. He was part teacher, part actor, part director, part producer, and a friend to all who worked with him. He spent much of his time crafting the future for the festival as he met with artists and administrators to ensure the artistic integrity of the festival’s plays, educational offerings, and numerous peripheral activities. He was a mentor to many, including Brian Vaughn, who started at the Festival as a young actor and is now the festival’s artistic director.
Adams retired from the leadership of the festival in 2005. Since that time, he has kept active in a variety of activities, including directing, acting, fundraising, and coming to his office nearly every day. He sustained warm relationships with the entire staff and board and throughout the community.
Adams was a professor of theater at SUU from 1959 to 1997 and was named professor emeritus upon his retirement from teaching. In addition to teaching SUU students, he was a mentor to countless theatre artists and administrators throughout the world.
Adams is the recipient of the prestigious SUU Presidential Medallion of Service (2019), Shakespeare Theatre Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2015), Burbage Award for Lifetime Service to the International Shakespeare Community (2010), the Utah National Guard Bronze Minuteman Award (2010), the Governor’s Award from the Utah Humanities Council (2010), the Pioneer of Progress Award for the Days of ’47 in Salt Lake City (2005), the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2003), the Utah Theatre Association’s Lifetime Service Award (2000), an honorary doctorate degree from Southern Utah University (1999), the Institute of Outdoor Drama’s Mark R. Sumner Award (1998), Brigham Young University’s Distinguished Service Award (1995), Geneva Steel’s Modern Pioneer Award (1994), the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Arts Contribution Award (1992), Southern Utah University’s Outstanding Alumni Award (1991), the Citizen Meritorious Service Award from the American Parks and Recreation Society (1991), Utah Business Magazine’s Outstanding Business Leader recognition (1989), the First Annual Governor’s Award in the Arts (1989), and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Brigham Young University (1984 and 1987). He was also honored to carry the Olympic flame in Cedar City during the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch Relay.
Adams was born in Cedar City Jan. 30, 1931 to Paul Monroe Adams and Louise Cruikshank Adams and moved with his family to Delta where he graduated from Delta High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, stationed in Washington, D.C.
He earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brigham Young University in theater arts and Russian. He did his pre-doctoral studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and the University of Utah. The author of many articles appearing in several professional magazines, he was a favorite lecturer for educational institutions and professional organizations throughout the United States and Europe. He also helped create and establish the Shakespeare Theatre Association, a professional association of Shakespeare theaters.
Adams was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara; and his sister, Martha Henstrom. He is survived by his brother, James; four children, Dorcas (Gene) Woodward, Glynis (Alan) Neves, Addison (Dana) Adams, and Josh (Jamie) Adams; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many cousins and friends.
The family has not yet announced funeral plans. A celebration of his life will be scheduled for sometime in the near future.
Adams’s wishes were that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Articles related to “Fred C. Adams, Utah Shakespeare Festival founder, passes away at age 89”
‘Guess Fred C. Adams’ Middle Name’ annual competition begins Feb. 1
Utah Marlowe Festival opens in St. George, strains relations with Cedar City
