Craig Maxwell, IT Director
I’m Craig Maxwell, the IT Director here at Tuacahn Center for the Arts.
My journey with Tuacahn started back in 1996, but my connection to this place began even earlier. When Tuacahn first opened, I begged my parents to take me to see Utah! I sat in the center section, completely captivated. I don’t think my jaw closed the entire performance. The pyrotechnics, the lightning and thunder, the fire, and of course the iconic flood that runs across the stage—it was all unforgettable. From that moment on, I knew Tuacahn would be a big part of my life.
The following summer, I joined the technical crew while still in high school, working long nights helping bring the shows to life. I started on the light crew running a spotlight, and those early experiences shaped so many of the career decisions I’ve made since. Tuacahn has truly been a catalyst in my life.
Today, as IT Director, I manage an incredible team responsible for keeping the entire campus connected and running smoothly. We oversee everything from workstations, servers, and network infrastructure to point-of-sale systems, ticket scanners, cameras, wireless systems, and data security. While our work happens mostly behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in making sure every guest has a seamless and magical experience.
One of the best parts of my job is the people. I truly work with an amazing team. Everyone here is passionate about what they do and works incredibly hard to bring the magic of Tuacahn to life. It’s an honor to be part of that process.
Even after all these years, Tuacahn still feels just as special to me. I’ve probably driven up the road to Tuacahn at least 5,000 times—and I’m not exaggerating—but I still love it every single time. As the road opens into the canyon, there’s a feeling that you’re entering a place where something extraordinary happens. Whether it’s your first visit or your thousandth, you know you’re somewhere special.
On a personal note, I’m married to my amazing eternal companion, Shelyce. We have six children, and we recently welcomed our first grandchild, which has been such a joy. As a family, we love traveling, camping, and playing games together. I’m also an avid cyclist and have completed several 100-mile rides. I enjoy riding with my boys, as well as with friends and family.
Tuacahn has also played a special role in my love story. I actually met my wife here—she was working as the box office manager during the day and helping with house management at night, while I was on the tech crew managing flood controls. A mutual friend introduced us, and things just clicked. Apparently, the tradition continues, because our son also met his wife while working in the Tuacahn box office!
One of my favorite memories at Tuacahn happened during the summer of 2000 while Shelyce and I were dating. One night, a show was canceled due to rain. After cleaning up, we made our way to the front gate, only to find it locked. She had a key, but it wouldn’t work properly, so we were stuck inside. We ended up climbing the fence and walking the four miles to her house. It was drizzling the entire time, and we were completely soaked by the end, but it was one of those unforgettable nights where we just talked the whole way and really got to know each other. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure.
Tuacahn has been part of my life for three decades, and I’m grateful every day to be part of such a special place.
