Interview with Karen Azenberg, PTC’s new Artistic Director

Karen Azenberg

SALT LAKE CITY — One of the biggest theatrical news stories of 2011 in Utah was the announcement that Karen Azenberg would be the new artistic director at Pionner Theatre Company, beginning July 1, 2012. As she prepares to assume her new position, Azenberg took some time from her busy schedule to answer a few [...]

Artistic Directors talk about future of the Utah Shakespeare Festival

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CEDAR CITY — When UTBA went to Cedar City last July, we had a few things in mind when we conducted interviews. Basically, we wished to talk with people about three things: the past, the present, and the future. For insight into the past, we spoke with R. Scott Phillips, the Festival’s executive director. Three [...]

10-Question Interview with Paul Kiernan, Actor

Paul-Kiernan

Longtime Utah audiences may recognize actor Paul Kiernan. Recently, Kiernan has been seen in Salt Lake City in the landmark role of Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1. The UTBA reviewer who saw that show said, “I hardly expected Paul Kiernan to steal the show by playing this role with such charisma and joviality.” Similarly, [...]

Utah Shakespeare Festival: Why see the shows?

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CEDAR CITY — There are many reasons to see live theatre. You may be attend a play to see a friend or family member perform on stage. Or you may attend a production because a group is producing one of your favorite plays. Perhaps you’re merely looking for a nice evening of entertainment, or you [...]

Utah Shakespeare Festival actors talk about their roles

Betsy

CEDAR CITY — One of the first things that an actor must do after being cast in a play is to make decisions about the character. These early decisions often have a huge impact on the nature of the production, the message of the play, and the effect that the actors’ performance has on the [...]

Video: Interview with R. Scott Phillips, Utah Shakespeare Festival Executive Director

CEDAR CITY — If there’s one thing I love about being part of UTBA, it’s conducting interviews. Just when I think that I know everything about the Utah theatre world, somebody that I interview teaches me something new. My interview with R. Scott Phillips, the executive director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival is the perfect [...]

UTBA talks with 3 Shakespearean actors

CEDAR CITY — As is typical of any theatre company, some of the most visible people involved with the Utah Shakespeare Festival are the actors. The 73 members of the 2011 Festival acting company portray kings, queens, fairies, laborers, townsfolk, and a variety of other characters in the Festival’s productions. Almost all the actors play [...]

10 Questions with Jo Winiarski, Set Designer

In preparation for our the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 50th anniversary, we’re resurrecting one of our readers’ favorite features: our 10 question interviews. Choosing Jo Winiarski for our first interview of the summer was a no-brainer. Last year I wrote about Winiarski’s set for Great Expectations saying that it was, “. . . almost an extension [...]

10 Questions with Amanda Caraway, PR Director

For our latest edition of the 10-question interview we turn our sights down to Cedar City and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. I first met Amanda Caraway when we took a couple reviewers down to the Festival this past July. She was incredibly helpful getting the UTBA lined up for the shows, special events, and interviews [...]

Interview with Jenny Latimer, “Les Mis” tour cast member

Jenny

Recently, it was announced that Utah native Jenny Latimer will play the role of Cosette in the 25th anniversary U.S. national tour of Les Misérables.  We recently caught up with Jenny by phone and asked her a few questions about the role, her Utah roots, and her theatrical experience.