Encore Performing Arts | 2025 Year in Review
2025 was a remarkable year at Encore Performing Arts—one marked by growth, creativity, and meaningful opportunities for young artists to learn, perform, and connect through theatre.
We began the year with imaginative storytelling and early performance experiences. Alice in Wonderland, part of our Emerging Artist Series for ages 8-12, brought classic literature to life on stage, while Wonderful World Junior Theater Camp welcomed beginner performers in the same age range into Encore's supportive and creative environment. Our teen performers took on ambitious material in Les Misérables Teen Edition, a powerful production that challenged artists emotionally and artistically while showcasing the depth and maturity of youth theatre.
Throughout the year, Encore's Page to Stage program continued to expand students' understanding of professional theatre, with over 70 young artists participating in transformative experiences. Students traveled to Las Vegas to see The Lion King at The Smith Center, journeyed to Salt Lake City for Pioneer Theatre Company's production of Noises Off featuring our very own Rhett Guter, and spent a full immersive day at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City for Shakespearience—experiencing workshops, performances, and behind-the-scenes learning. These experiences connected classroom learning to real-world artistry and professional standards.
Summer brought energy and growth with Moana Jr. and Jungle Book Kids Camp, offering performers hands-on training, collaboration, and joyful performance opportunities. Fun in the Sun Aspire Camp, led by our amazing Director Kelby Tyrrell, provided advanced performers with intensive training and creative exploration. Aspire Performing Company continued to thrive with Bright Lights of Broadway, a private revue showcase that highlighted the talents of our Aspire performers. Illuminate, Aspire's elite touring group, pushed artistic boundaries with a memorable trip to Disneyland for performances, followed by the incredible opportunity to watch our Artistic Director Rhett Guter perform as Rooster in a professional touring company production of Annie—connecting our students directly to the professional theatre world they aspire to join.
The fall season featured major milestones with two unique productions: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, part of our Signature Series featuring over 70 performers, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, an Emerging Artist program production that highlighted strong ensembles, mentorship, and the collaborative spirit that defines Encore. Our fifth annual Villains Night, presented by Aspire Performing Company, once again delivered a high-energy Halloween Spooktacular musical revue that blended performance, creativity, and fun—and this year's production proved to be the best yet.
We closed the year with A Christmas Carol 2025, Encore's fourth annual production and a growing holiday tradition in Southern Utah. Through our Show with the Pro program—our highest level educational performance experience—professional actors Corbin Allred and Adam Cheney performed alongside our young artists, serving not only as fellow performers on stage but as mentors behind the scenes, hosting workshops and learning experiences. This meaningful theatrical experience continues to define Encore's commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community connection.
Looking back, 2025 was filled with growth, courage, laughter, and countless moments of learning both on and off the stage. We are deeply grateful to our students, families, volunteers, mentors, creative teams, and supporters who make Encore possible.
Here's to the stories we told, the skills we built, and the young artists we empowered in 2025—and to an exciting future ahead.
