Utah Shakespeare Festival Appoints Stewart Shelley To Drive Educational Initiatives

The Utah Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce the appointment of Stewart Shelley as the new education director, succeeding Katherine Norman who departed last month. Shelley has been with the Festival for two years in various educational roles and is eager to step into his new leadership position.

Education is a core component of the Festival’s mission. Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr believes Shelley will uphold and enhance the educational legacy that has been a hallmark of the Festival for decades. Bahr notes, “Stewart has a profound love for educating students, patrons, teachers, and anyone interested in theatre and Shakespeare.”

Artistic Director John DiAntonio highlights Shelley’s impact on the Festival’s success through education: “In his two years with us, Stewart has significantly influenced the Shakespeare Competition, our audience engagement in the Seminar Grove, the Bard’s Birthday Bash, and more.”

Shelley holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts Education from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University. He spent 19 years as a high school theatre teacher and has deep ties to the Festival, having participated in its Shakespeare Competition both as a student and as a teacher.

Shelley is enthusiastic about the Festival’s strong educational foundation. “The programs established by Michael Bahr and Katherine Norman are deeply rooted in the community,” he says.

DiAntonio adds, “Stewart’s extensive experience and knowledge, particularly of Utah’s educational system, will greatly benefit the Festival’s Education Department.”

Shelley’s department oversees various programs, including the Shakespeare in the Schools tour, PlayTeam workshops, and the Shakespeare Competition. During the summer, they manage pre-show orientations and post-show seminars in the Balcony Bards Seminar Grove, as well as Backstage Tours, Shakespearience, School Days, and summer camps and classes.

Summer camps are currently open for registration. Shelley encourages students of all ages to join and explore the world of Shakespeare. The Playmakers Summer Day Camp, for students aged five to seventeen, runs from June 10-22, Monday to Friday, 2-4 p.m. It offers theatre skill-building through movement, voice, improv, and concludes with a final performance for family and friends. Registration closes on May 31.

Additional camps include Junior Actor Training (ages twelve to fourteen) from July 15-20, and Theatre Training (ages fifteen to eighteen) from July 22-27. These sleep-away camps provide students with the opportunity to work with professional Festival actors and production staff. Space is limited, and registration closes on July 5 and 12, respectively.

Teachers can also benefit from summer classes. “Teaching Shakespeare” for English and Theatre educators runs from July 15-18, and “Tech for Teachers” from July 29-31, offering professional development taught by Festival technicians and experts. Registration deadlines are July 1 and 17, respectively.

For more information on tuition and registration for these programs, visit bard.org/about/education, call the Education Department at 435-865-8333, or email usfeducation@bard.org.