Utah Shakespeare Festival - Guest Blog - Education Tour - Tricia Hofacker

Our 2013 Education Tour is underway, and here is the person who helps with much of the logistical behind-the-scenes preparation...

Tricia Hofacker
(Company Manager)

Where did you grow up? Where do you currently live?

I grew up in the village of Casstown, Ohio and I currently live in Cedar City, UT.

Have you ever been involved with Romeo and Juliet before? If yes, how many times and in what functions/roles?

Never been involved before, only read it out loud in class.

What are you looking forward to the most about this tour; why did you want to become involved?

I'm looking forward to the reactions of students to the workshop we put on after the show. Some kids get more into the action than the others, but it's fun to watch the wallflowers shine.

Have you ever done a similar tour like this before? Tell us about it.

I've been in a children's show that toured to schools in Ohio, it was a show that taught children about dealing with responsibility and loss. It was great! The kids were really responsive to it, they loved how interactive it was.

The cast and crew of the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools touring production
of Romeo and Juliet. (Photo by Karl Hugh. Copyright Utah Shakespeare Festival 2013.)

What do you hope to contribute or give to young audiences during this tour?

I really hope that the kids feel free to express themselves, especially the ones who are normally shy.

What are you hoping to personally learn or achieve?

Well, I've already learned a lot about booking hotels and transportation for the company. I've learned that there are many schools that do not have a lot of theatrical equipment or space, but they are so excited to bring Shakespeare to the kids. 

What are some of your favorite hobbies? pet peeves? guilty pleasures?

I love watching documentaries and Jeopardy, going to art museums and traveling. Pet peeves- chewing with your mouth open, tapping repetitively on the back of either my movie seat or airplane seat. Guilty pleasures: cheesecake, milk chocolate and red wine.

Why do you think art in general is important?

Art is important for so many reasons, but I think primarily it is important to express emotions and life experiences through a story.

Melisa Pereyra (left) as Juliet and Chris Klopatek as Romeo in the Utah
Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools touring production of Romeo
and Juliet. (Photo by Karl Hugh. Copyright Utah Shakespeare Festival 2013.)

To learn more or see if the Tour is coming to your city, visit this page on our website-  http://bard.org/education/tour.html