ST. GEORGE — An annual gala will benefit the arts through a night of elegance and inspiration, raising funds to support a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the community through creative expression.
Encore Artistic Director Adam Record shared that the gala aims to spotlight Encore’s diverse programs and mission. He said attendees can look forward to a captivating presentation that highlights the organization’s identity and ongoing initiatives. The event will feature live entertainment, including musical performances by Encore’s students and past collaborators. A selection of food and drinks will be offered throughout the evening. Actor and director Rhett Guter will serve as the gala’s emcee.
“A lot of people look at Encore and say, ‘Oh, that’s a community theater for kids,’ and we’re so much more than that,” Guter said. “The gala is about really sharing with the community who we are, the work that we’re doing and the work we plan to do and inviting them to be a part of that mission.”
Guter added that the gala is about raising awareness while recognizing the people who support and enable their work as a family. As the organization expands its family through increased awareness, he said it builds a stronger community to support its mission, ultimately allowing them to achieve even greater goals.
The gala’s theme, “A Whole New World,” highlights the Friends of Encore Junior Aladdin group, which supports individuals with special needs and alludes to an upcoming junior production of “Aladdin” for students ages 7-11.
The theme also serves as a metaphor for their efforts to create new opportunities for the St. George community, particularly for children.
Encore has been focusing on a program that includes sensory-friendly performances to accommodate community members with unique or special needs, including those on the autism spectrum. These events provide a welcoming and supportive environment where attendees are encouraged to express themselves freely — whether that means making noise, singing along, dancing or clapping.
Record said he experienced a special moment when a gentleman approached him after a sensory-friendly performance. The man shared that while his son, who sometimes screams and makes noises, was enjoying the show, he noticed another family with a similarly vocal child. The two families exchanged thumbs-up, a gesture of mutual understanding and support. In typical settings, such incidents might have forced them to leave, but instead, they felt accepted and included, Record said.
“The feedback we’ve gotten from those has been very touching,” Record said. “People say they don’t usually get to do this kind of stuff, go to the movies or plays, to have these things where they can come and feel safe and comfortable. It’s a game changer in terms of what they can experience outside their homes.”
After another show, they were approached with the idea of creating a play featuring children with special needs as performers, giving them a chance to shine on stage. And they did just that.
“So the only people on stage were those with special needs,” Record said. “They did highlights from the product junior play of Aladdin, and it was awesome.”
Guter said they focus on building “life skills through stage skills.” Their approach goes beyond cultivating performance skills; they help students build life skills such as confidence, leadership, collaboration, teamwork and empathy. Encore also focuses on making theater accessible to underrepresented communities that might not typically have the opportunity to engage with the arts. They cover a wide range of ages and offer everything from educational classes to workshops and more.
Encore has been shaping young talent for four years, filling a gap that once existed in theater education beyond the public school setting. In that time, they welcomed thousands of young performers.
“Some of our youth are now directing and choreographing stage managing some of the shows we do for our junior kids,” Record said. “So now we’re presenting and creating leadership opportunities for our youth and our teenagers.”
Encore’s version of A Christmas Carol will return to St. George from Nov. 30 through Dec. 16. The show will feature young talent, with Adam Cheney as Jacob Marley and Corbin Allred as Ebenezer Scrooge. See the event page for more information and early bird tickets.
For more information on Encore Performing Arts, visit their website. Auditions for Disney’s Aladdin Junior will take place on Aug. 24. The 2024 Encore Annual Gala is open to the public by ticket only.
Event details
- What: Encore Presents: “A Whole New World” Encore’s 2024 Annual Gala.
- When: Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: St. George Children’s Museum, 86 S. Main Street in St. George.
- Admission: Tickets are $150 per seat or $1,000 per table with up to eight guests.
- For more information, see the event page.
Photo Gallery
Encore's "A Whole New World" 2024 Gala will take place on Aug. 22nd | Graphic courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Auditions for Disney's Aladdin Junior will take place on August 24 | Graphic courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore's Hadestown Teen Edition will take the stage from Sept. 25 - October 3 | Graphic courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore’s version of A Christmas Carol will return to St. George from November 30 through December 16 | Graphic courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore puts on Sensory-friendly performances, which cater to individuals with sensory needs, including those on the autism spectrum, St. George, Utah, circa Feb. 2024 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore puts on Sensory-friendly performances, which cater to individuals with sensory needs, including those on the autism spectrum, St. George, Utah, circa Feb. 2024 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore puts on Sensory-friendly performances, which cater to individuals with sensory needs, including those on the autism spectrum, St. George, Utah, circa Feb. 2024 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Live performances take place at the Encore Gala, location not specified, circa 2023 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Live performances take place at the Encore Gala, location not specified, circa 2023 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Attendees of the Encore Gala smile for a photo, location not specified, circa 2023 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Attendees of the Encore Gala smile for a photo, location not specified, circa 2023 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
Encore presents Beauty and the Beast, St. George, Utah, May 21, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Adam Record, St. George News
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