M. Chase Grant

Education
MFA Staging Shakespeare, University of Exeter
BA English, Creative Writing Emphasis, Utah Valley University
Associate of Applied Sciences, Utah Valley University

Skills/Training/Areas of Special Interest
Annual Shakespeare Competition at the Utah Shakespeare Festival:
Annual competition hosted by the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University. It is the largest scholastic Shakespeare competition in the country, with over 2,800 students from over 100 schools from Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin, Idaho, and California. Students compete before adjudicators with professional theatrical backgrounds (acting,directing, etc.) primarily from New York City and Los Angeles. www.bard.org

Awards and Recognition

2012 Shakespeare Competition Awards: 3rd place Ensemble Scene, 3rd Place Duo/Trio Scene, 2nd Place Duo/Trio Scene, 2nd Place Sweepstakes Award.
2011 Shakespeare Competition Awards: 2nd Place Ensemble Scene, 3rd Place Duo/Trio Scene, 3rd Place Sweepstakes Award.
2009 Shakespeare Competition Awards: 1st Place Ensemble Scene, 1st Place Duo/Trio Scene, 3rd Place Monologue, 1st Place Sweepstakes Award.
2008 Shakespeare Competition Awards: 1st Place Ensemble Scene, 3rd Place Duo/Trio Scene, 1st Place Duo/Trio Scene, 1st Place Sweepstakes Award
Drama Editor for Utah Valley University Student Journal Touchstones: A Magazine of Literature and Art.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival nomination and competitor for Cato performance.
Larry Lott Award: In conjunction with the ensemble competition, judges annually recognize the best actor in an ensemble scene in each division and award a $1,000 scholarship to SUU. Our Shylock (Bryce Rivelli) received this award at the Utah Shakespeare Festival High School Competition for his performance in our 10 minute ensemble scene from The Merchant of Venice.
Numerous scenes and ensemble work showcased at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, including a request from the festival to remount our 2010 Shakespeare team to open with several pieces for the festivals professional traveling presentation of The Taming of the Shrew.

Selected Performing Experience

Role

Claudius
Marcus
Benedick
Dottore
Friar Laurence
King John
Master Ford
Autolycus
Shogun/Pish-Tush
Marcus
Mr. Shipley
Sam
Frank Butler
Will Parker

Production

Hamlet
Titus Andronicus
Much Ado About Nothing
Commedia dell' Arte
Romeo and Juliet
King John
Merry Wives of Windsor
A Winter's Tale
The Mikado
Cato
How to Succeed in Business. . .
47 Minutes
Annie Get Your Gun
Oklahoma!

Director/Company

Kris Jennings/University of Exeter
Kolbrun Sigfusdottir/Brite Theatre
Melissa Barrett/University of Exeter
Fergus Rattigan/Northcott Theatre
Martin Harvey/University of Exeter
Philip Bird/Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Self/University of Exeter
Tony Lidington, David Wiles/University of Exeter
Rob Moffatt/Utah Valley University
Robbie Pierce/Utah Valley University
Dave Tinney/Utah Valley University
Amy Jo Henderson/Utah Valley University
Laura Synder/Alpine Community Theatre
Joshua Long/AF & Highland Arts Council

Selected Directing Experience

Year

2014
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2009
2008

Production

Lady Macbeth
King John-scene
Merry Wives of Windsor
Lone Peak High School Shakespeare Team
Lone Peak High School Shakespeare Team
Love's Labour's Lost
Competition Piece
Lone Peak High School Shakespeare Team
Lone Peak High School Shakespeare Team

Location

University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre/London, UK
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah
Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah

Other Theatrical Experience

Instructed Iambic Pentameter Workshop at UVU

Through my preparation and presentation of competitive Shakespeare scenes and monologues I have developed several pieces of Shakespeare theater which serve to advance the understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare and his works within my community.

Worked with troubled teens at Mountain Homes Youth Ranch in Colorado as a life coach in a non-punitive wilderness therapy program.

Established an informal private Shakespeare coaching lesson option out of my home for high school students in my community (motivated by overwhelming request from students).

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