TUACAHN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Our Story

By Joseph E. Smith, Public Relations

(Ivins, UT) In the spring of 1995, Tuacahn Amphitheatre opened its doors to share with its audiences Tuacahn’s first musical theatre production UTAH! It was the beginning of a dream for Tuacahn Center for the Arts - a dream to heighten the arts, education, and the community it serves.

Now, in 2015, having produced more than 50 major musical theatre productions, hosting more than 150 concerts, showcasing hundreds of professional actors and musicians, educating thousands of students, involving thousands of community volunteers, and seating hundreds of thousands of patrons, Tuacahn Center for the Arts celebrates more than two decades of theater excellence!

“It is very fulfilling to see how far Tuacahn has progressed over the last 20 years,” says Kevin Warnick, Managing Director and COO. Kevin continues, “I remember the first few years how difficult it was to fill seats. A 2,000 seat amphitheatre looks pretty empty with only three or four hundred people in it. Now, to see the venue at or near capacity on a nightly basis is both rewarding and exciting.”

The musical UTAH! debuted in 1995 and was originally to be Tuacahn’s staple and sole production. After four years audiences began to dwindle despite the solidity of the show. In 1999 the Tuacahn Board felt that it needed to shift its strategy and pursue a new direction. “We're proud of what we accomplished with UTAH!,” said Kevin Smith, Tuacahn's CEO, “but after several years of one show, it was clear that people wanted to see something new.” A brilliant direction was conceived and Broadway in the Canyon was born.