‘Be part of a unique attraction:’ Southern Utah outdoor amphitheater accepts volunteers

IVINS —The Southern Utah nonprofit outdoor amphitheater that features Broadway musicals along with unique entertainment from all forms of the arts is offering the community an opportunity to experience the back-stage Broadway experience by joining their volunteer program.

Water flows over rocks at the Tuacahn entrance, April 17, 2022, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Water flows over rocks at the Tuacahn entrance, April 17, 2022, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The Tuacahn Center for the Arts amphitheater offers a variety of volunteer options including ticket attendants, plaza attendants, aisle ushers and street-level greeters. Open to volunteers 18 or older, this unique opportunity gives members of the community the chance to experience artistic theater while ensuring the amphitheater runs smoothly.

Volunteering with Tuacahn comes with benefits, including the option to watch the live performance after shifts are filled and discounts on concessions. During shifts, volunteers receive a free 32-ounce soda at either the concession stands or café, a 20% discount at Tuacahn Café and free personal water container refills. Volunteers also earn points for each show they work at, which can be redeemed for future show tickets.

Priscilla Daza, head house manager at Tuacahn, told St. George News that the majority of their volunteers are retired or semi-retired, giving them somewhere beautiful to spend time outside of the house while also making an impact on the community. She said it also provides an opportunity to be an important part of a unique attraction.

“Most nights, volunteers have pretty much the same experience as any patron, a great show with an unforgettable backdrop,” Daza said. “With the occasional chaos involved in a live, outdoor theater, like last-minute changes, bad weather and music-loving wildlife, volunteers get plenty of practice embracing positivity, patience, and adaptability to help ensure that the show goes on.”

The red rock amphitheater of Tuacahn glows in the morning light, April 17, 2022, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The red rock amphitheater of Tuacahn glows in the morning light, April 17, 2022, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

When asked about how many volunteers Tuacahn usually sees during a season, Daza said that at the end of 2019, they had roughly 360 volunteers. She said that they generally start the season off with a low number of volunteers, with the number of volunteers increasing throughout the season and that volunteers can sign up any time during the season.

“As of right now, I have 178 volunteers signed up and I’m expecting that number to be around 250 at the end of this season,” Daza said. 

Daza said that during the pandemic, Tuacahn transitioned from its traditional in-person volunteer orientation to online video tutorials, making the process a bit simpler and allowing more people to participate. Volunteers must be 18 or older, read and sign the volunteer waiver form, the harassment and discrimination form and complete the volunteer orientation. 

Tuacahn Center for the Arts started performing shows for the public in 1995 and has now been bringing shows to life for 26 full seasons. The seasonal amphitheater runs yearly, from May to December.

This year’s lineup includes an array of musicals, such as “Mary Poppins,” and “Wonderland” and many concerts and events such as The Temptations, The Piano Guys, Larry the Cable Guy and David Archuleta. Click here for a full list of shows for the 2022 season.

 Tuacahn Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization with contributions helping to ensure the future success of the amphitheater as they strive to provide live entertainment in the local red rock canyon. To donate, contact Kacey Jones at [email protected].

See the step-by-step instructions for new volunteers here. To register or view open volunteer positions, click here.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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