It was the early 1600s when William Shakespeare wrote “Measure for Measure” and “The Tempest.” Yet, more than 400 years after the playwright’s death, his work continues to entertain audiences across the nation — and that includes performances in Utah Valley.

The Renaissance Now Theatre and Film company has returned for its Summer Shakespeare Festival, being held at Provo’s Castle Amphitheatre through the end of June.

The festival presents two productions, “Measure for Measure” and “The Tempest” — both featuring the company’s traditional adaptation of contemporary monologues into classical texts.

In 2023, the festival presented a combination of Shakespeare’s more popular plays — the comedic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and dramatic “Hamlet.”

Artistic Director Kathy Curtiss said they’re continuing that concept this year while exploring some of Shakespeare’s work that was written toward the end of his authorship.

“We wanted to go to the later, more mature plays in Shakespeare and grab a couple of those that were contrasted in pieces and kind of look at where he was as he was wrapping up his writing,” Curtiss explained.

“The Tempest” is believed to be his final play, written sometime around 1610.

In typical Renaissance Now Summer Shakespeare Festival fashion, one production is classically styled, while the other is set contemporarily.

This season, “Measure for Measure” is presented in modern dress to illustrate current socio/political themes. The production of “The Tempest” will be presented in the Jacobean Renaissance costume design and period, which recalls a time when the voyages to the new world may have inspired the tale.

The cast features a mix of students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.

The production features costume design by Asriel Jensen and Jennifer Thornton and direction by Kathy Curtiss and Sonja Hugo, with voice and text by Steven Rimke.

The Renaissance Now Summer Shakespeare festival runs through June 28 at Castle Amphitheater, located at 1300 E. Center St., above the state hospital.

Tickets are available at renaissancenow.com.

After the Utah run, the festival travels east to New York for  performances of “The Tempest” and “Measure For Measure” at the Chain Theatre from July 2-5.