About

OUR MISSION

Community theatre has the unique power to bring people together in the task of creating something meaningful to give back to that same community. The mission of our theatre is to give the youth of our community the opportunity and experience of community service through the arts, and to create lasting friendships with their peers.

Utah Valley Players is an organization founded in 2017 by Zack Elzey when he was a sophomore in high school. Over the years, the company has produced some of Shakespeare's classics in the summertime at Cedar Hills' Heritage Park, as well as plays and musicals at various venues throughout the valley. Some shows include: Mamma Mia!, Into the Woods, The Laramie Project, Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Titus Andronicus, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Tempest

Photo courtesy of Utah Valley Magazine

Innovation and opportunity are motivators for UVP. In 2023, Zack saw opportunities as an ally to empower and highlight the LGBTQ+ community through theatre. He created the Utah Valley Pride Theatre Festival, the first of its kind in the state of Utah. In connecting with other local theatre companies, UVP was able to jointly-produce a festival season and bring some incredible art to Utah Valley as well as some important themes and discussions to follow.

The Laramie Project (Youth Production)

Utah Valley Pride Theatre Festival 2023

Caberet (photo courtesy of Daydreamer Theatre)

Utah Valley Pride Theatre Festival 2023

That same summer, Zack created the Utah Valley Mental Health Theatre Festival - again, the first of its kind in the state. A topic that is very personal and important to not just Zack, his family, and his friends, but also to the wider arts community, this festival brought together various art forms that addressed identifying emotions, various mental health concerns, suicide, the question of happiness, and gave resource information on where to receive help.

Next to Normal

Utah Valley Mental Health Theatre Festival 2023

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Youth Production)

Utah Valley Mental Health Theatre Festival 2023

Zack Elzey, Daily Herald, Photo by Harrison Epstein.jpg

In 2026, the discussion continues as a production in partnership with UVU will benefit the Cameron Ward Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Theatre fund at UVU. This is In tradition with the company's overall purpose, as donations from the season are often given to a charitable organization. Organizations donated to include National Suicide Prevention, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Directrelief.org (COVID-19 relief assistance for medical staff and first-responders).