Arts & Culture

William Shakespeare once wrote “the Play’s the thing”.  Maybe he was referring to Cedar City,  where “PLAY”  is not only synonymous with the great outdoors but with performing arts as well. 

Many would argue that our rich heritage of arts and culture began with the first inhabitants.  Ancient Anazazi and Fremont were the first to celebrate the natural surroundings as evident by the intricate rock art they left behind.  Later Mormon settlers celebrated their new found home with song and dance around the campfire.    

In 1964, a young Cedar City theater professor envisioned a Shakespearean festival that would entertain the thousands national park tourists that visit  each summer.  The Utah Shakespearean Festival grew to become one of the top Shakespeare Festival’s in all of North America and earned the coveted Tony Award for Best Regional Theater in 2000. 

Because of the success of the Shakespeare Festival, the town of Cedar City has earned the reputation of being “Festival City, USA” - a hot spot for cultural events and festivals.   Those events include the Neil Simon Festival , Cedar City Arts Festival and  Cedar City Music Arts.  Students and faculty of Southern Utah University produce some of the finest dance and theatrical events in all of Utah-over 150 public performances, exhibitions and shows produced throughout the year.

You’ll find that when it comes to arts and culture in southern Utah,  it’s … “As You Like It” .