Theater productions in Daybreak have helped feed South Jordan’s appetite for live entertainment since 2007. Daybreak’s Community Council started this when they approved the production of “The Wizard of Oz.” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey’s has an appreciation of the arts and has been a proponent for the city’s two theaters. Sandbox Theater is the other production company with a two-play per year contract.

“South Jordan City wrapped its arms around our company and encouraged a name change to reflect the entire community our company served. So, we became South Jordan Community Theatre and opened our first season with Peter Pan,” Toni Butler said.

After seven seasons they partnered with the free, public K-9 charter school Early Light Academy located at 17709 Vidania Dr. in South Jordan. The production company’s five-story building is easily identified with the “Performing Arts” label on the side. This height allows a flight-system that provides room to elevate set pieces and cast members.

“We changed the production company’s name to Kensington Theatre in homage to Peter Pan’s Kensington Gardens and his mantra of youth, joy and freedom,” Butler said, who is the artistic director, president and founder of Kensington Theatre Company. She has been involved in theater production for many years and graduated from the University of Utah in Theater Production.

Butler teaches Theatre Stuff for kids, teens and adults. The mission at Kensington Theatre is to give the community quality, family-friendly performances in theatre and to provide education and performing opportunities for children and adults to participate in theatre in a meaningful way that fosters self-esteem, respect for others, cooperative interaction and commitment to
family values.

“While we are called Kensington Theatre Company, Daybreak Community Theatre is still our parent company name,” Butler said. “We have an inclusive approach and have had students from up to seventeen different high schools participate in
productions.”w

The 2025 season auditions include an entertaining variety of plays. The “Man of La Mancha’s” auditions are for those 18 and older on Feb. 5. “Little Shop of Horrors” auditions for those interested in attending Teen Boot Camp are on April 18, and those interested must be in grades 10 to 12 in the 2025-2026 school year. “Big Fish” is for those 10 and older looking for a fun production with auditions on April 24. λ