Tuacahn Center for the Arts will have a groundbreaking celebration event for its new arts center Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. inside the Tuacahn Amphitheater. It is free and open to the public. The new 19,000-square-foot building is set to be completed this summer.
“The new Arts Center will greatly expand our ability to meet the needs of our growth,” states Kevin Smith, CEO. “The center will provide a truly professional, state of the art, facility to better meet the needs of our actors and greatly enhance the experience of our patrons.”
The new arts center will include a full-size staging area for Tuacahn actors’ rehearsals.
“Over the years, as Tuacahn has invested more in the production value and quality of the shows, we’ve been able to attract some of the best talent in the country,” noted Scott Anderson, artistic director. “Now as we manage three shows in our summer season, we are busting at the seams for indoor rehearsal space. The new Arts Center will not only accommodate a better rehearsal environment for our actors, but it will help continue to attract the finest talent in America and give our patrons the kind of theater experience they’ve come to expect here at Tuacahn.”
The arts center also includes other exciting amenities such as a larger gift gallery, The Broadway Cafe, and new Show Care.
“Patrons will be able to enjoy a new and larger gift shop area instead of having to bump shoulders and shuffle around displays like they did in the old store,” says manager Chris Graham.
The Broadway Cafe will offer patrons a new year-round venue to enjoy prepared food of a higher quality than general concessions. Show Care now has an expanded area for child care so parents can enjoy shows with peace of mind.
“Without the help of generous individuals, the people of Washington County, the county Commissioners, and Mayors of our municipalities this project would never have happened,” said Jeffrey Fisher, director of development. “We are so grateful for everyone’s support and for ensuring Tuacahn’s viability well into the future as a major contributor to the arts and to our local and state economy.”
Over the last 20 years, Tuacahn has produced nearly 60 major musical productions and several concerts and hosted hundreds of thousands of patrons. Tuacahn now attracts 80 percent of its patrons from outside of Washington County, who contribute in excess of $80 million annually to the local economy — second only to Zion National Park.
“It has been a pleasure to be part of the growth we’ve experienced here at Tuacahn over the years,” Smith remarked. “We truly look at ourselves as a community asset. We are so grateful for the public’s support. With the addition of this new Arts Center, we will continue to build upon the fine Tuacahn tradition of bringing fun family entertainment to southern Utah.”
