Ivins, UT - As Tuacahn Center for the Arts celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it's appropriate to look back to see where it all began, and how Tuacahn has become one of the most distinguished theatrical and educational centers in the West.
"I was awestruck," wrote Orval Hafen, upon first seeing the area that is now home to the Tuacahn Center for the Arts. He and his wife, Ruth, bought an eighty-acre parcel in the box canyon and built a cabin below the pristine red rocks. Describing the scene at the turn of the 20th century, he stated:
"There before me lay a scene of indescribable beauty: wild, primitive, unspoiled, largely unknown, waiting to be enjoyed, waiting to inspire folks." Within these "towering red sandstone cliffs," he desired that "others [might one day] share this beauty and drink of the inspiration that is here."
Orval Hafen's vision came one step closer to reality in 1993 when Doug Stewart, noted playwright and St. George resident, stumbled upon the spot as he was searching for a location for an outdoor amphitheatre in the St. George area. "The stunning beauty and perfect surroundings stopped me in my tracks," Stewart recalled. "Envisioning an amphitheatre and a stage with an awesome backdrop of 1,500 foot red rock cliffs, and hearing the sounds of music echoing from the canyon walls - I literally flew back to town and straight to the county recorder's office to see who the land belonged to."
Through Stewart's efforts, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization was established to raise funds for construction of the Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts on the 80 acre parcel at the base of Padre Canyon. With the help of philanthropist Hyrum Smith and many others the 23 million dollar facility was completed and dedicated in the spring of 1995.
From the outset, Tuacahn pursued a dual mission of providing quality arts education coupled with family entertainment. The Center of the Arts provided instruction in music, dance, and drama, while the musical "UTAH!" rightly labeled as "America's Most Spectacular Outdoor Musical"debuted in the summer of 1995 in the Tuacahn Amphitheatre.
UTAH! recounted the story of Jacob Hamblin, who was sent by renowned colonizer and Mormon leader Brigham Young to supervise the early settlements in Southern Utah. Jacob Hamblin made peace with the native Indian population, and to this day, his treaty with the local tribes stands as the single compact between white settlers and Native Americans that has never been broken. This story, UTAH!, was reenacted for over 250,000 patrons over the course of three years on the Tuacahn stage.
In 1999, the Tuacahn Board felt that it needed to shift its strategy and pursue a new direction. "We're proud of what was accomplished with UTAH!," said Kevin Smith, Tuacahn's Chief Operating Officer, "but after several years of one show, people wanted to see something new."
Instead of offering just one production for summer patrons, Tuacahn created their first "Broadway in the Desert" theatre season, which featured a double bill of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The shows were well received and the Amphitheatre found itself in the enviable position of dealing with huge crowds and sold-out houses. "I know there were some concerns about doing familiar Broadway shows, because they've been performed so often, ". "The Tuacahn Amphitheatre provides a unique setting for these Broadway favorites that cannot be duplicated anywhere else." said Kevin Warnick, Tuacahn's Managing Director. Over 100,000 people from every state in the Union and several countries see shows at Tuacahn each year.
Initially, the Tuacahn Amphitheatre was almost exclusively a summer/fall theatre enterprise. That changed in 2000, when Tuacahn presented its first Christmas Festival of Lights. In 2001 the Festival of Lights expanded to include a Live Nativity, presented throughout the Christmas season in the Tuacahn Amphitheatre.
In addition, visitors have enjoyed many concerts presented at Tuacahn including such noted performers and groups as The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Vienna Boys Choir, Abramyan String Quartet, Victor Borge, The Utah Symphony, The Kingston Trio, Merle Haggard, Michael Martin Murphy, Kenny Rogers, The Osmond Brothers, Diamond Rio and many others. The concerts have helped compliment the summer/fall theatre season, and with the Festival of Lights, have contributed to Tuacahn's success in becoming a year round destination.
Tuacahn is not only known for its commitment to family entertainment. It is also home to Utah's first charter high school, the Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts (THS), which began operation in 1999. The school combines a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis in music, drama, dance and computer technology.
The schools relationship with the Amphitheatre productions is unique. "Our students have been given unprecedented opportunities to rub shoulders with the working theatre professionals at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre," says Doug Bishop, THS Administrator. No other public school provides this level of exposure to a professional theatrical operation."
The fact that we have a waiting list so early in our history is a credit to how well the Tuacahn faculty and staff have served the educational needs of the students," says Tuacahn CEO Hyrum Smith.
Tuacahn's 10-year anniversary theatre season begins June 8 and runs through October 15, 2005 featuring "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" and an all new "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Tickets can be purchased online at www.tuacahn.org or by calling the Tuacahn Box Office at 1-800-746-9882 (local 652-3300).
