SALT LAKE CITY — Having been involved heavily in the theatre community in Utah for 15 years now, I love I can still be genuinely surprised by the things that I discover. Nothing was more surprising than learning about Meanwhile Park and the Meanwhile Park Playwright Prize award. I had the chance to sit down with founder Jeff Paris, playwrights Matthew Ivan Bennet and Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, and director Jason Bowcutt to discuss the history of Meanwhile Park and what to expect with this year’s show and the future.
History
In 2021, an idea was born out of a desire Jason Paris had to use his Salt Lake City backyard to host a theatrical experience. Known now as Meanwhile Park, this theatre company combines both a playwrighting contest and the need and desire for community to gather and share in art. The shows are performed this summer on weekends from July 9th-July 19th. Each night before the show there is a gathering with drinks and appetizers, and a chance to discuss with fellow theatre lovers. After the show, there is a chance to continue to discuss the performance and the experience of theatre and community building in Utah. Meanwhile Park has sold out every production they have produced, and some of the shows have gone on to be produced elsewhere, from Chicago to other places here in Utah.
This Summer’s Show
This summer, Director Bowcutt is returning with playwright Bennet with a show entitled A French Toast, winner of the 2026 Meanwhile Park Playwright Prize. Set at a bed and breakfast in the south of France, we follow Lucy as she attends the wedding of her ex-husband. Lucy meets the charming manager of a bed and breakfast, and romance and hijinks ensue. Over 200 plays were submitted for the competition, so there likely is a lot of charm and plenty of reason that this show was chosen for this space at this time. Bennet previously produced a show at Meanwhile Park, and Bowcutt is a familiar director in Utah, having worked in many theatres in the area, from Plan B to SLAC, including previously at Meanwhile Park. A French Toast has already sold out opening night, so if you are interested in seeing this production, it is encouraged that you get tickets right away.
Next Summer’s Show
Next summer 2027, the winning play of the Meanwhile Park Playwright Prize is Two, Four, Six, Eight, Who Do We Resuscitate, written by a newcomer to Meanwhile Park, Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend. The play is about three teenage girls, one of whom died of measles because she was allergic to the vaccine and could not get vaccinated. Another wants to get into an Ivy League School. The third is the great, great, great, great granddaughter of a woman who was hanged for witchcraft, and the living girls decide if they bring back the first girl from the dead and get her to be a spokesperson for vaccination, that will help the other get into college. They also drag a boy into the mix who the great granddaughter of the witch wants to makeout with, and he regrets waking up in the morning and getting involved in the hijinks. It is full of humor and unexpected turns.
Both this summer and next summers shows sound like fun and unexpected theatrical evenings. Such productions offer something different than the traditional night at the theatre both in venue and in expected shows for Utah audiences. This, however, is a testament to the love of theatre and the continual joy found in the creative spirit that has been here ever since our great state was founded.
Future of Meanwhile Park
Paris hopes to continue having summers of theatrical experiences in this intimate setting for a long time. Paris is also very excited about featuring new works through the Meanwhile Park Playwrighting Contest. The opportunity to enjoy live theatre, connect with theatre goers, and build community is something he hopes will continue building for many years. To submit to the Meanwhile Park Playwright Prize, they request new works that have never been produced. The work should be limited to a runtime between 30 minutes to 1 hour with a small cast (6 or fewer performers). The cast limitation is because of space and the residential area of the theatre, as well as the funding of the company. Watch the website for information for future opportunities to attend the shows and enter the competition.
MORE INFO: Meanwhile Park is a theatre at a private residence in SLC. They present a brand new show every summer selected from a formal committee. For more information about their theatre to attend a show, volunteer, or donate, see their website https://www.meanwhilepark.com/