Inside Lehi’s Community Theater: How Local Arts Come to Life

Creating Art, Building Belonging | Kurt Elison on Community Theater & the Lehi Arts Council | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast What role do the arts play in shaping a community’s identity? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Kurt Elison, president of the Lehi Arts Council, to explore how creativity, collaboration, and community support come together to enrich life in Lehi. From growing up in an arts-centered family to leading one of the city’s most dynamic cultural organizations, Kurt shares the path that led him to serve Lehi’s creative community. Kurt offers an inside look at the wide range of programs supported by the Lehi Arts Council—from visual arts and music to the uniquely intimate experience of local theater. He explains what goes into producing a show, including funding, technical requirements, marketing, and volunteer coordination, and why community involvement is essential to keeping the arts accessible and thriving. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of Lehi Arts, highlighting opportunities for growth, collaboration, and deeper community engagement. Thoughtful and passionate, Kurt’s perspective reminds us that the arts aren’t just entertainment—they’re a powerful way to connect neighbors, tell shared stories, and strengthen the cultural fabric of a city. 📌 Love hearing about the people and organizations shaping Lehi’s culture? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating community, creativity, and heart. 🏡 Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. ⸻ ⏱ Key Moments in This Episode • 00:00 – Introduction to Roots and Branches of Lehi • 00:38 – Meet Kurt Elison: Longtime Lehi Resident • 01:06 – Kurt’s Professional Background • 01:30 – Lehi Arts Council: Overview & Mission • 02:03 – Programs and Activities at Lehi Arts • 03:31 – Theater Programs & Community Impact • 06:14 – Challenges & Successes in Local Arts • 14:59 – Personal Journey & Passion for the Arts • 22:08 – The Cost of Producing a Show • 23:57 – Technical Requirements Behind Frozen • 25:52 – Marketing, Outreach & Audience Engagement • 27:23 – Collaboration Between Theater & Community • 32:14 – The Future of Lehi Arts • 38:37 – Community Support & Involvement • 43:34 – Family & Personal Connections to Theater • 45:09 – Conclusion & Gratitude ⸻ 👣 Related Topics: Lehi Arts Council • Community Theater • Local Arts • Performing Arts • Visual Arts • Arts Education • Civic Engagement • Utah Arts • Creative Communities • Roots and Branches of Lehi 🎧 Listen to More Roots & Branches of Lehi: Apple: https://apple.co/40J53Ln Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7v YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM 🏠 Ready to go from renting to rooted? ✔️ Want to know the value of your home? → https://workharding.hifello.com/lp/6888f21970143a6397c98ea4 ✔️ Curious how much home you can afford? → https://workharding.com/affordability-calculator.php ✔️ Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/survey/aAl6tzfvetiS329QNypM #RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #CommunityStories #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentsToRoots #LehiArts #CommunityTheater #LocalArts #CreativeCommunity #UtahArts