Beyond the Stage: Crafting Your Perfect Day at the Utah Shakespeare Festival

A visit to the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City stretches far beyond the traditional evening performance. While the world-class productions on stage are exceptional, the true value for many visitors lies in the broader Festival Experience—a cultural getaway that expands a single night at the theatre into a multi-sensory journey. From play orientations and scholar-led seminars to the beloved outdoor performances, many of these engagement opportunities are included at no additional cost, making it easy to dive deep into the stories and the community.

A perfect day at the festival often begins well before the first curtain rises. Morning backstage tours offer a rare, intimate glimpse into production spaces, including the costume shop where artists work at the top of their craft to bring the season to life. For those who want to understand the intellectual side of the art, production seminars provide insider perspectives from directors, actors, and designers. These sessions reveal the creative decisions and theatre expertise behind the work audiences see under the stage lights.

After enjoying lunch in the charming historic downtown of Cedar City, guests can attend a play orientation to prepare for an afternoon matinee. This season’s indoor offerings at the Randall L. Jones Theatre span several genres. Families might enjoy the fast-paced British comedy See How They Run or the charming hit Broadway musical She Loves Me. For those who prefer high-energy antics, the musical Something Rotten! provides a hilarious reimagining of the Renaissance. Following the matinee, audiences can witness theatre magic in real time during Repertory Magic. This fascinating demonstration shows how crews swiftly transform a massive set from one production to another in just minutes, and even includes a live Q&A with the festival production manager.

As the heat of the afternoon begins to fade, the community gathers once again for a pre-show orientation before heading to the lawn for The Greenshow. This free outdoor performance has welcomed audiences for generations, filling the air with music, storytelling, and laughter. It transforms the Ashton Family Greenshow Commons into a vibrant gathering place and serves as a perfect prelude to an evening under the stars.

Once the sun sets, the crowd takes their seats in the open-air Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre for timeless works. This season’s repertoire includes the gripping drama of Hamlet, the memorable mischief of Twelfth Night, and the rarely-produced Troilus and Cressida. Watching these world-class stories in a breathtaking outdoor setting is an experience fit for the Bard himself. The exploration continues the next morning, as audience members can join festival scholars for post-show seminars to discuss the themes and performances that linger long after the final applause.

This summer is particularly special as the region celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts. Nestled on the campus of Southern Utah University, the festival is just steps from historic boutiques, galleries, and eateries, making Cedar City an ideal basecamp. For visitors coming from the St. George area, Ivins City Parks and Recreation is even hosting a day trip on July 15. For a fee of $100, participants can enjoy a luxury shuttle ride, a backstage tour, and a matinee ticket to Something Rotten!, with the trip running from 8 AM to 6:30 PM. Whether you are staying for a day or a week, the festival offers a unique blend of scenic views and Tony Award-winning theatre. For tickets and more information, visit bard.org or call 800-PLAYTIX.