Acting on Impact: Mountain West’s 30-Year Commitment to the Utah Shakespeare Festival
Published on: August 15, 2025
For more than three decades, Mountain West Small Business Finance (MWSBF) has proudly supported the Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF)—a Tony Award-winning cultural institution that brings world-class theatre to Cedar City and drives millions in economic impact to the region.
What began as a shared belief in the power of the arts to fuel economic development has blossomed not only into a long-lasting partnership but friendship as well.
“We love the relationship we have with Mountain West Small Business Finance,” said Michael Barr, Executive Managing Director for Utah Shakespeare Festival.
“That train-of-thought in the early days was, we’re in the business of economic development, and funding for the arts is a key driver in economic development.”
What MWSBF knew instinctively is now backed by hard data. According to the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition, USF generates more than $35 million in direct economic impact annually for Cedar City. Their most recent white paper states:
“The Utah Shakespeare Festival is a multi-million-dollar enterprise that creates jobs, generates tax revenue, enhances tourism, and builds Utah both culturally and economically.”
Carrying the Tradition
Danny Mangum, MWSBF EVP/COO, has attended the festival with his family for over a decade. This past year was especially memorable—he presented a $5,000 check from the Mountain West Foundation to Barr and Emily Cacho, USF Associate Development Director, in front of the MWSBF-sponsored Cleopatra statue in the Catherine and Robert Pedersen Shakespeare Character Garden.
“What sets Mountain West apart is their engagement,” Barr emphasized. “Their support extends beyond financial contributions to active involvement in our work. This level of partnership is uncommon, as many donations seem to be purely transactional in nature.”
But Barr says the relationship with MWSBF has been different from the start.
“We never felt it was a transactional experience. It was always about the important work that we were doing and the important work that they were doing. Together, we could partner in amplifying both of our worlds. And that’s how it’s always been with this organization [USF]. It’s also what it’s always been with Mountain West Small Business Finance.”
“I think we both do this: we’re about intimacy, connection, and engagement. And you just don’t find that a lot in our world anymore.”
Fast Facts: Utah Shakespeare Festival & MWSBF
Here are a few things you might not know about this dynamic duo:
🎭 Cleopatra Returns!
MWSBF sponsored the Cleopatra statue in the Shakespeare Character Garden. “Anthony &
Cleopatra” is part of USF’s 2025 season—the first time it’s been produced since 2006!
🌍 A National Audience
Approximately 90% of USF attendees come from outside Southern Utah, including international visitors.
💼 A Job Creator
USF supports 30 year-round administrative jobs, over 200 seasonal theatre professionals, and a volunteer base of 350 residents. That’s serious economic impact!
🖼️ A Legacy of Support
Posters from “Shakespeare in the Schools” hang in MWSBF’s Salt Lake City boardroom, showcasing decades of commitment.
🌄 Mountain West Expansion
Both MWSBF and “Shakespeare in the Schools” started in Utah and have expanded to Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, and Idaho.
Learn more about the Utah Shakespeare Festival at bard.org.