KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB: Mountain Meadows And The Little Schoolteacher
2025-08-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-08-24 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Mountain Meadows And The Little Schoolteacher
by Debora Threedy (Dammeron Valley, UT)
Saturday, August 23, 7:30pm
Sunday, August 24, 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
This play is based on the life of Juanita Brooks, particularly the years from 1918 to 1951. The central mystery of her life is this: She was a seemingly ordinary Mormon housewife. Widowed as a young mother, married a second time to a man 17 years her senior, she had five children of her own and helped raise her husband’s four sons. She held positions of authority in her Church. She worked at a job for almost her entire life. How did such a woman come to publish the first accurate account of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, the full story of which had been actively suppressed by the LDS Church for nearly a hundred years? Where did she get the courage to tell the truth despite the opposition of her community and even family?
TICKETS

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB
Now in its third year, the Kayenta New Play Lab is where bold new voices in American theater come to life. Over three exhilarating weeks, six visionary playwrights—chosen by a panel of esteemed local and national theatermakers—dive into an intensive creative residency, shaping fresh, original works for the stage.
Audiences are invited to witness the magic unfold through staged readings of these brand-new plays—raw, real, and alive with possibility. Stay after each reading for an engaging dialogue with the artists, where your feedback helps shape the evolution of each piece.
Whether you’re a dedicated theatergoer, a curious creative, or someone who simply loves the thrill of live performance, the New Play Lab is your front-row seat to the next wave of theatrical storytelling. Come be part of the process. Come be inspired.

The 2025 Kayenta New Play Lab is generously sponsored by Douglas Caputo and Desert Dweller Real Estate.

WORKSHOP: The Responsive Body
2025-08-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
This workshop invites actors to engage the body as a sensitive, powerful instrument for stage performance. Through a blend of physical awareness, movement exploration, and ensemble-based exercises, participants will cultivate a deeper connection between body, breath, and impulse. The session will emphasize presence, responsiveness, and the actor’s ability to listen and adapt in real time. Whether you’re preparing for a demanding role or simply seeking to unlock new dimensions of your physical expression, this workshop offers tools to expand your range and heighten your awareness. Come ready to move, take creative risks, and rediscover the body as a vital source of imagination and play.

As part of the Kayenta New Play Lab’s mission to support generative artists and develop new theatrical work, we’re excited to offer two exclusive workshop sessions designed specifically for actors. These Monday evening workshops are led by visiting theater professionals from outside the region—each bringing unique expertise in performance, process, and the development of new work.
Whether you’re a seasoned performer or an actor looking to deepen your craft, these sessions are an opportunity to learn from nationally recognized artists, explore new techniques, and connect with the creative process at the heart of new play development.

Meet Your Instructor: Sadie Kuwano
Sadie Kuwano is a Los Angeles and NYC-based actor and teaching artist, originally from Studio City, CA. On screen, she’s a series regular on In the Vault (seasons 1 and 2, Crackle) and has appeared in 9-1-1 (ABC), I Think You Should Leave (Netflix), Criminal Minds (CBS), Fresh Off the Boat (ABC) and Good Trouble (Freeform). Selected theatre includes Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Center for the Arts at Kayenta), PunkPlay (Circle X Theatre), Round Yon Virgin (IRT Theater), The Cerealist Bowl (AEG Presents: Phish), Mama Mama (Coin & Ghost), and Ubu Roi (Stairwell Theater NYC). Education: CalArts BFA, LACHSA @sadieontheinternet

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB: The Secret History of the Mahulley Monster
2025-08-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-08-30 15:00 - 17:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB
The Secret History of the Mahulley Monster (Or The Cryptid Play)
by Chelsea Sutton (Los Angeles, CA)
Friday, August 29, 7:30pm
Saturday, August 30, 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
When Dr. Kam Vandermeer visits the Midland Paranormal Convention to present her research on the mysterious Mahulley Monster, C-List paranormal TV personality Peter McGillis seems determined to poke holes in her story. But as they delve deeper into Kam’s evidence, their bickering only unearths something stranger than either one of them can explain.

TICKETS

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB
Now in its third year, the Kayenta New Play Lab is where bold new voices in American theater come to life. Over three exhilarating weeks, six visionary playwrights—chosen by a panel of esteemed local and national theatermakers—dive into an intensive creative residency, shaping fresh, original works for the stage.
Audiences are invited to witness the magic unfold through staged readings of these brand-new plays—raw, real, and alive with possibility. Stay after each reading for an engaging dialogue with the artists, where your feedback helps shape the evolution of each piece.
Whether you’re a dedicated theatergoer, a curious creative, or someone who simply loves the thrill of live performance, the New Play Lab is your front-row seat to the next wave of theatrical storytelling. Come be part of the process. Come be inspired.

The 2025 Kayenta New Play Lab is generously sponsored by Douglas Caputo and Desert Dweller Real Estate.

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB: Vampire Panic!
2025-08-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-08-31 15:00 - 17:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB
Vampire Panic!
by Kate Mickere (Los Angeles, CA)
Saturday, August 30, 7:30pm
Sunday, August 31, 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
In 1890s New England, during a deadly wave of consumption, Lucy returns home to care for her orphaned niece, Faith, just as rumors of vampires begin to take hold. While Lucy turns to science for answers, young Faith is drawn to a preacher who believes the disease is part of a supernatural threat. As fear and folklore spread through the town, the line between illness and myth becomes harder to define.

TICKETS

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB
Now in its third year, the Kayenta New Play Lab is where bold new voices in American theater come to life. Over three exhilarating weeks, six visionary playwrights—chosen by a panel of esteemed local and national theatermakers—dive into an intensive creative residency, shaping fresh, original works for the stage.
Audiences are invited to witness the magic unfold through staged readings of these brand-new plays—raw, real, and alive with possibility. Stay after each reading for an engaging dialogue with the artists, where your feedback helps shape the evolution of each piece.
Whether you’re a dedicated theatergoer, a curious creative, or someone who simply loves the thrill of live performance, the New Play Lab is your front-row seat to the next wave of theatrical storytelling. Come be part of the process. Come be inspired.

The 2025 Kayenta New Play Lab is generously sponsored by Douglas Caputo and Desert Dweller Real Estate.

First Fridays at Kayenta
2025-09-05 17:00 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
COMMUNITY
First Fridays at Kayenta
every First Friday / 5:00pm-8:00pm
FREE to attend!
Kayenta Art Village
We’re thrilled to introduce First Fridays at Kayenta, happening on the first Friday of every month, all year long! Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a pop-up boutique market in the Kayenta Art Village beginning at 5:00pm, with film screenings in the theater, and good vibes all around.
To view the current lineup, click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Donna Conversano / www.conversanophoto.com

Taste of the Town at Kayenta
2025-09-07 17:00 - 21:00 | Kayenta Art Village, 881 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, UT, 84738, United States
FOOD & FESTIVALS
Taste of the Town at Kayenta!
Hosted by St. George City Lifestyle Magazine & Kayenta Arts Foundation
Sunday, September 7 // 5:00p-9:00p
Kayenta Art Village – Walton Commons Courtyard
Join us for an incredible evening celebrating our region’s diverse restaurant and growing wine & beer scenes beneath the breathtaking red rocks of Kayenta. This one-of-a-kind food and wine festival brings together the best of the best, allowing patrons to sip, savor, and celebrate our community’s vibrant and growing culinary scene.
TICKETS
This event is 21+
Attendees must be 21 or older with valid ID. Only service animals are permitted. The event is rain or shine and there are no refunds within two weeks of the event date. Guests are encouraged to have a designated driver or take ride sharing or public transportation. Please consume responsibly.
Tickets:
VIP Entry: $100 Adults (21+ event)
Early entry, beginning at 5pm
Access to air conditioned indoor lounge
General Admission (6pm, 7pm): $75 Adults (21+ event)

DUE TO SYSTEM UPGRADES, TICKETING IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE

Taste of the Town at Kayenta is co-hosted by St. George City Lifestyle Magazine and generously sponsored by Voyager Wealth Advisors

Christian Bohnenstengel & Friends
2025-09-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
MUSIC
Christian Bohnenstengel & Friends
An evening of incredible music from Schubert to Gershwin and beyond.
This evening’s program is dedicated to Ayanna Monteverdi.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
7:30p
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Acclaimed pianist Christian Bohnenstengel takes the stage alongside a talented ensemble of guest artists. From the timeless elegance of Schubert to the jazzy brilliance of Gershwin—and surprises beyond—this dynamic program promises something for every music lover. Experience virtuosic performances, rich collaborations, and a journey through genres that will stir the soul and ignite the imagination.

TICKETS

Kayenta 100 Project: The Beginnings, 1976-1986
2025-09-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Kayenta 100 Project: First Five Decades
Part I: The Beginnings, 1976-1986
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
A look back at Kayenta’s visionary start—when a dream of intentional desert living first took root. This event traces the original land acquisition, early designs, and the radical idea of building a sustainable, artful community in the red rock canyons of southern Utah.
The Kayenta 100 Project: First Five Decades
Celebrating a Vision. Honoring a Legacy. Inspiring the Future.
The Kayenta 100 Project is a living history initiative honoring the first five decades of the Kayenta community in southern Utah. From its bold beginnings in the 1970s to its emergence as a vibrant hub for culture, design, and desert living, this five-part series invites residents and visitors alike to reflect on the people, projects, and ideas that shaped Kayenta’s unique story. Through storytelling, archival media, open discussions, and interactive experiences, each chapter highlights a transformative era in Kayenta’s evolution.
TICKETS

5 Event Package

Cry Wolf: A Magic Play
2025-09-18 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-20 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-09-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-25 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-26 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-27 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-09-27 19:30 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
THEATER
Cry Wolf: A Magic Play
written and performed by Rhett Guter
directed by West Hyler
September 18-20 & 25-27 at 7:30pm
Saturday Matinees at 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Cry Wolf: A Magic Play blurs the line between illusion and reality, transforming the theatre into a high-stakes game show where the prize is nothing less than truth itself. For 85 mesmerizing minutes, performer Rhett Guter invites audiences to play along—searching for the hidden “wolf” among volunteer contestants—as jaw-dropping magic, masterful tap dance, and deeply personal storytelling unfold. Inspired by the spectacle of The Price is Right and the theatrical artistry of Derren Brown, this intimate one-man show asks profound questions about identity, authenticity, and the courage to be seen. After years of development with acclaimed director West Hyler, Cry Wolf makes its full production debut in Southern Utah, bringing Guter’s journey home in a premiere that promises wonder, laughter, and revelation.

TICKETS

RHETT GUTER (Writer/Performer) is a New York-based actor, magician, and choreographer who has spent nine seasons at Utah Shakespeare Festival and performed in touring productions of West Side Story and Annie. He’s alos appeared onstage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Paramount Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, PCPA and Olney Theatre Center.
As a director and choreographer, Guter’s work has been featured at Drury Lane Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Encore Performing Arts. He received his training at Southern Utah University in Dance Performance and Musical Theatre and currently serves as Artistic Director for Encore Performing Arts. Cry Wolf represents his debut as a writer-performer, uniquely combining his theatrical expertise with his passion for magic and personal storytelling. You can find more about Rhett and the magic at Rhettmagic.com
WEST HYLER (Director) is the Executive Director of the South Carolina New Play Festival, the co-Artistic Director of Drama-League Nominated Artistic Stamp and was formerly the Producing Artistic Director of the Obie-Winning New York Musical Festival, the largest musical theater festival in the world. He was a Director and Story Writer for Cirque du Soleil’s first Broadway Musical Cirque du Soleil Paramour and he has several shows currently in production around the world. Other Broadway credits include associate director on How The Grinch Stole Christmas and associate director and artistic overseer Jersey Boys worldwide. Other Directing credits include: The Pilot and the Little Prince (Poland), Avenue Q (Bulgaria- Ikar Award), Sister Act (Cape Fear Regional Theater), Fun Home (Lean Ensemble Theater), the NY premiere of H2O by Jane Martin (59E59), Tempest, Merry Wives and Windsor, and Love’s Labours Lost (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival), Georama (St Louis Rep- St Louis Critics Circle Award, New York Musical Festival Award for Outstanding Direction), The Disappearing Man by Jahn Sood (MTF and St Louis Rep), Legendarium and Metamorphosis (Big Apple Circus, Lincoln Center), and Panda! (Beijing and Las Vegas).
Tickets

Sunday Night... Alright! with SoulWhat!?
2025-09-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Kayenta Outdoor Theater, 881 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, UT, 84738, United States
Sunday Night… Alright! with SoulWhat!?
Sunday, September 21, 2025
6:30pm-8:30pm
Kayenta Art Village Outdoor Theater
Get ready for another night of music, dancing and fun at the Kayenta Outdoor Theater featuring Soul What!? Drawing from years of collective international experience, and a shared passion for adventure in all pursuits, these four musicians create a colorful landscape of funk rhythms, soulful harmonies, and masterful guitar leads.
Doors open at 6PM and SoulWhat!? performs 6:30pm-8:30pm. You are welcome to bring a snack and/or beverage. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
TICKETS

Kayenta Arts Foundation Annual Meeting
2025-09-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Open to all members of Kayenta Arts Foundation.
Join Laurel Bryant (Board Chair) and Miranda Wright (Executive Director), along with the full board and staff at Kayenta Arts Foundation to view a presentation on the current health and impact of Kayenta Arts Foundation.
No RSVP required. To be followed by our annual Member Appreciation Event for members who contribute $1,000+ per year.

Masquerade Mystery!
2025-09-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Masquerade Mystery!
Kayenta Arts Foundation Membership Appreciation Event

Monday, September 29, 2025
5:00p Annual Kayenta Arts Foundation Meeting
6:00p Masquerade Mystery begins!
Step into a world of elegance, music, and intrigue at Masquerade Mystery, our annual Member Appreciation Event. Reserved exclusively for members of our Champion Circle and above, this enchanting evening will feature live music, hearty bites, flowing wine, and a mystery game designed to delight and surprise.
It’s our way of celebrating YOU—our most dedicated supporters. Masks encouraged, curiosity required.

Interested in joining the Champion Circle at Kayenta Arts Foundation? Email Telah@KayentaArts.com, or make a tax-deductible donation HERE.

First Fridays at Kayenta
2025-10-03 16:00 - 20:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
COMMUNITY
First Fridays at Kayenta
every First Friday / 5:00pm-8:00pm
FREE to attend!
Kayenta Art Village
We’re thrilled to welcome you to First Fridays at Kayenta, happening on the first Friday of every month, all year long! Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a pop-up boutique market in the Kayenta Art Village beginning at 5:00pm, with film screenings presented by DOCUTAH in the theater, and good vibes all around.

To view the current lineup, click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Donna Conversano / www.conversanophoto.com

DOCUTAH Presents: Pink Belt
2025-10-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
DOCUTAH PRESENTS
Pink Belt
Friday, October 3, 7:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Aparna Rajawat, India’s sixteen-time women’s national champion in martial arts, attempts to break the Guinness World Record for most women trained in a self-defense lesson, bringing attention to the violence against women in India.
Part of DOCUTAH’s Best of Fest at Center for the Arts at Kayenta
Run Time: 78 minutes

TICKETS

ART IN KAYENTA
2025-10-10 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-12 10:00 - 17:00 | Kayenta Art Village, 881 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, UT, 84738, United States
ART IN KAYENTA

A FREE Art Festival at Kayenta Art Village

October 10-12, 2025

10:00am-5:00pm daily

Every October, thousands of art enthusiasts and families make their way to the Kayenta Art Village for our annual three-day FREE art festival in Ivins, Utah. Not only do festival goers enjoy spectacular art, they are also treated to stunning desert vistas, culinary delights from festival vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music, and Kayenta’s own delicious Xetava Café and The Rusted Cactus.

Guests will have the opportunity to visit a collection of over 50 juried regional and national artists who specialize in sculpture, painting, jewelry, ceramics, wood, metal, and other media. “The quality of art and extent of creative expression at the Festival is extraordinary. Combined with the Art Village setting and backdrop of the Ivins red mountain, it is truly a special experience,” states Kayenta Arts Board Member, Rob Goodman.

The Art in Kayenta Festival hosts a silent auction featuring original work from the attending artists and offerings from local businesses. Festival guests will have the exclusive opportunity to bid on selected art pieces. Proceeds benefit the Center For the Arts at Kayenta and the performing arts in Southern Utah.
Live Music Schedule & Vendors List

Chautauqua: Living History!
2025-10-18 14:00 - 16:30 | Center for the Arts at Kayenta
THEATER / HISTORY
Chautauqua: Living History!
Featuring Becky Stone as Harriet Tubman
and Marvin Jefferson as Martin Luther King Jr.
Saturday, October 18, 2025
2:00pm Matinee & 7:30pm Evening Performance
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Step into history as two of America’s most powerful voices come alive on stage. In this moving Chautauqua Living History performance, audiences will meet Harriet Tubman, portrayed by acclaimed storyteller and actress Becky Stone, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., brought to life by renowned historical interpreter Marvin Jefferson.
Harriet Tubman—courageous conductor of the Underground Railroad, abolitionist, and advocate for women’s rights—shares her remarkable journey from enslavement to becoming one of the most fearless leaders in American history. Dr. King—visionary pastor, civil rights leader, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate—speaks to the enduring struggle for justice, equality, and nonviolent change.
Together, their voices bridge two centuries of activism, sacrifice, and unwavering hope. Through first-person storytelling, historical context, and audience Q&A, this event invites us not just to learn about history, but to step into it—asking what freedom, justice, and leadership mean for us today.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, conversation, and living history.
TICKETS
