Every year, the magical community gathers for a special and highly anticipated event known as the A Designated Magical Index Festival. This festival serves as a celebration of all things magical, bringing together wizards, witches, and magical creatures from all around the world. The main idea of this festival is to showcase and appreciate the immense knowledge and power contained within the magical world. One of the main highlights of the festival is the magical index competition. This is a prestigious event where participants must showcase their extensive knowledge and mastery of all things magical. Competitors are tested on a wide range of topics, including spells, potions, magical creatures, and the history of magic.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
In the spirit of traditional Día de los Muertos festivities, a community altar will be the centerpiece for the festival, where attendees can leave mementos in honor of their loved ones who have passed. In addition, Bahr excels at community building and stresses that all Festival productions, orientations, seminars, and Greenshows are designed to bring artists and the community together to expand perspectives.
Competitors are tested on a wide range of topics, including spells, potions, magical creatures, and the history of magic. It is a highly competitive and rigorous challenge, with the winner being awarded the title of the "Master of Magic" for that year. Aside from the magical index competition, the festival also features a variety of other enchanting events and activities.
Utah Shakespeare Festival Unveils New Leadership Team
John DiAntonio has been selected as the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s new Artistic Director, and Michael Bahr has been appointed as its new Executive Managing Director.
CEDAR CITY, UTAH - Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF) is pleased to announce John DiAntonio as its new Artistic Director and Michael Bahr as Executive Managing Director. DiAntonio is currently the Producing Artistic Director at Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) in Creede, Colorado, and brings seven years of executive leadership experience with a rotating repertory company in a rural destination setting.
Bahr has been serving as USF’s Interim Managing Director since November of 2022 and previously served as USF’s Education Director for over twenty years.
DiAntonio will join USF’s leadership team later this year with the newly appointed Bahr. Derek Charles Livingston, currently serving as the Festival’s Interim Artistic Director, will continue as Artistic Associate and Director of New Play Development.
“John has a great love for Shakespeare, experience with rotating repertory, and embraces the complexity and sustainability of theatrical processes,” Bahr says. “He will be a great asset to our present ensemble of artists, artisans, staff members, volunteers, and the community. I’m thrilled that he is joining our artistic team, building on the legacy of the past and illuminating our bright future.”
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, DiAntonio discovered theatre at age 16 through improvisation and the works of Shakespeare. He received his BA in Theatre and Psychology from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver, Colorado, with additional training in classical acting from the British American Drama Academy in London. A member of Actors Equity Association, he and his wife Caitlin Wise DiAntonio, an actor who came up through USF’s education programming as a participant in its annual Shakespeare Competition, lived in New York for six years before beginning his leadership career with CRT. Before this, he was a freelance actor, director, playwright, and teacher. Under his leadership, CRT has achieved both artistic and financial success. DiAntonio and CRT are celebrated by two articles in the New York Times: “Friday Night Footlights: How Theatre Bonds a Colorado Town” and “In a Small Mountain Town, a Beloved Theatre Company Prevails.”
"What an honor to join the extraordinary artists of the Utah Shakespeare Festival,” says DiAntonio. “I cannot wait to connect with the Cedar City community, recruit more theatre lovers, and bring the magic of the Bard to the stage as we embark on the 63rd season."
“From a board member’s perspective, John has a wonderful balance of vision for USF accompanied by proven administrative skills and artistic leadership,” said Bryan Watabe, immediate past board chair and co-chair of the search committee. “I believe the Festival will thrive with him as our Artistic Director.”
In addition, Bahr excels at community building and stresses that all Festival productions, orientations, seminars, and Greenshows are designed to bring artists and the community together to expand perspectives.
“I am so pleased Michael has accepted this important appointment," said Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson. “He has a long history of audience development, creative programming, and cultivating connections to art not only within the community and on campus but with patrons, donors, and those with whom he works daily. As a result, I have confidence and optimism about the future of the Festival.”
Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2023 season presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the American classic A Raisin in the Sun, which close by September 9; the hilarious The Play That Goes Wrong, the lovely Jane Austen’s Emma The Musical, and Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and Timon of Athens run through October 7. These productions are accompanied by other enriching and educational experiences such as backstage tours, orientations, literary and production seminars, and the ever-popular Greenshow. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bard.org or call 1-800-PLAYTIX.
Due to limited space, a maximum of 20 altar applications will be accepted.
There are mesmerizing displays of wand duels, where skilled wizards and witches showcase their spell-casting abilities. Additionally, there are magical creature exhibitions, where attendees can observe and interact with an array of mythical beings, such as unicorns, phoenixes, and dragons. Furthermore, spellcasting classes are conducted by renowned magical professors, giving participants the opportunity to learn and practice various spells and enchantments. The Designated Magical Index Festival also serves as a platform for magical craftsmen and artisans to display their creations. There are bustling markets where attendees can purchase unique magical items, such as enchanted wands, potions, and spellbooks. These markets also provide opportunities for aspiring young witches and wizards to obtain their first magical supplies. The festival is not only a celebration of magic but also a time for bonding and camaraderie among witches, wizards, and magical beings. There are grand feasts and banquets where attendees can enjoy delicious magical cuisine and share stories of their magical adventures. It is a time for friendships to be formed and for the magical community to come together as one. In conclusion, A Designated Magical Index Festival is a magical extravaganza that celebrates the wonders of the magical world. It is a time for the community to showcase their knowledge and skills, appreciate the beauty of magic, and come together in unity. Whether you are a seasoned wizard or a curious muggle, this festival offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you spellbound..
Reviews for "Unraveling the Spell: Diving into the History of a Designated Magical Index Festival"
1. John - 2 stars
The "A designated magical index festival" was a disappointment for me. I found the storyline to be confusing and overly convoluted. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of dull dialogue and action sequences that never seemed to amount to much. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, leaving me disinterested in their fates. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unengaged with this festival and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3 stars
As a fan of the "A Certain Magical Index" series, I had high hopes for the "A designated magical index festival." However, I found it to be quite underwhelming. While the animation and visuals were stunning as always, the plot felt disjointed and rushed. The introduction of new characters and arcs felt forced and did not seamlessly integrate with the main storyline. The finale also left many loose ends and unanswered questions, which was frustrating. While there were enjoyable aspects to the festival, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
3. Mike - 2 stars
I found "A designated magical index festival" to be a disappointing entry in the franchise. The festival lacked a coherent narrative and felt more like a mishmash of random events thrown together. The character development was virtually non-existent, with little growth or depth explored for the main characters. The action sequences were also lackluster, offering nothing innovative or exciting. Overall, I was left feeling bored and uninterested in this festival, making it one I would not recommend.