The Adams Shakespearean Theatre

The Adams Shakespearean Theatre, located on the campus of Southern Utah University is one of the most authentic Elizabethan theatres in the world, began as a stagehouse; but in five years’ time was gradually surrounded by its permanent orchestra and gallery seating. The Adams Shakespearean Theatre, dedicated in 1977 and seating 819 plus 66 gallery-bench or standing room seats, was designed by Douglas N. Cook, Utah Shakespearean Festival Producing Artistic Director, along with Max Anderson of the Utah State Building Board, and is patterned after drawings and research of sixteenth century Tudor stages.

The theater is a hexagon-shaped “Wooden-O” with a thrust stage open to the sky. Experts say it is one of a few theatres that probably comes close to the design of the Globe Theatre in which Shakespeare's plays were originally produced. It is so authentic, in fact, that the British Broadcasting Company filmed part of its Shakespeare series there. It is named for Grace Adams Tanner, a major benefactor of the Festival and her parents, Thomas D. and Luella R. Adams.

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