Listen: How a Cedar City nonprofit is keeping live theater alive for the next generation

By Melodi Brooke | Southern Utah University

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Southern Utah University, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Utah Tech University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah and POV.

CEDAR CITY – In an era of short-form content and shrinking attention spans, Cedar City Children’s Musical Theatre has spent more than 15 years proving that live performance still matters. Founded in 2009, the nonprofit provides musical theater opportunities for children regardless of experience or ability to pay, and the demand keeps growing.

“There are many kids that just don’t fit into sports or other types of after-school programs,” said Jewly Krause, CCCMT president and founding member.

The organization offers what she describes as a family-like atmosphere where kids can build confidence, develop talents and have fun.

“We often hear from parents that this program has ‘saved their child,’ and that makes all the hard work and sacrifice worth it,” she said.

Run entirely by volunteers, CCCMT has moved seven times since its founding and often navigates challenges around rehearsal space, funding and burnout, Krause said. Still, the organization has a packed 2026 season, including Disney’s “Descendants,” “Aladdin” and a summer production of “Little Mermaid” at the Heritage Theater.

Doug Spencer, a parent whose four children have participated since 2016, said the program cultivates positive, enduring relationships and gives kids greater confidence and leadership skills.

“It really helps the community,” he said.

Listen along as Krause and Spencer share how CCCMT is preserving live performance art for the next generation.

Melodi Brooke reported and produced this story as a communication student at Southern Utah University.