ABOUT FORGE
About The Forge
We’re a new community theatre in Cedar City, southern Utah—producing family-friendly shows, workshops, and events that entertain, educate, and bring people together. Live arts. Real connection. No fluff.
What We Do
We bridge the gap between children’s theatre and professional work—delivering high-quality, affordable productions that families of all ages can enjoy together. Starting with holiday shows, we’re building toward year-round programming, a multi-stage venue, and an education arm offering classes in acting, dance, and more. Southern Utah’s new hub for cultural arts—built by locals, for locals.
Our Roots
The Forge is powered by a team of passionate volunteers, performers, and educators from right here in Cedar City and beyond. Co-founder Ellen Wheeler, a hometown girl and three-time Emmy winner, retired back to southern Utah—because this is the best place on earth—and is helping launch this dream with decades of stage and screen experience. We’re just getting started. No big stats yet. Just real people, real shows, and a real plan to grow—one performance at a time.
OUR TEAM
Meet the creative minds behind Forge.
ELLEN WHEELER
Founding Member/Chairman
Ellen Wheeler, the Emmy-winning producer/director actress, is one of the founding sparks behind The Forge. A Cedar City hometown girl turned soap-opera standout, she snagged three Daytime Emmys before trading the bright lights of New York City for the red-rock glow of Southern Utah. Driven by her love of community, creativity, and family, Ellen is excited to help keep Cedar City a lively home for theatre, music, and family-friendly events.
MILTON MCLELLAND
Founding Member/Vice Chair
Milton’s love for theater began early, performing on his high school drama team and discovering the power of live storytelling to connect people and inspire emotion. Though life, family, and work pulled him in other directions after high school, that creative spark never faded. Since moving to Cedar City in 2012, Milton has found deep joy in watching his children grow up within Iron County’s vibrant theater community. Now, as a founding board member of The Forge Center for the Arts, he’s excited to help build a space where creativity, connection, and community can thrive. Milton believes that in the years ahead, live theater and the arts will be more essential than ever in bringing people together and giving voice to what truly matters.
KATHY HEER
Founding Member/Treasurer
Kathy Heer fell in love with theatre as a child, when her parents took her to see A Christmas Carol every Christmas season at the Glendale Centre Theatre. That spark never faded. Even as a mother of five on a tight budget, she made sure her birthday tradition included a live performance—often volunteering just for the chance to share the magic of theatre with her kids. Over the years, Kathy’s love of stories and people led her to roles as Hospitality Manager for St. George Musical Theater and Associate Producer at The Stage Door, where she found joy in helping bring productions to life and welcoming audiences into the experience. She also spent ten years as a book blogger and publicist, celebrating creativity through words and imagination. Today, Kathy serves as Supervisor at Oasis House, where she helps others find belonging, purpose, and joy. As Treasurer and Marketing Director for The Forge, she brings that same heart and enthusiasm—using her creativity and care to help build a space where community and the arts come together in beautiful ways.
ROCHELLE MCLELLAND
Founding Member/Secretary
Rochelle McLelland has loved the arts her entire life, but it wasn’t until her children fell in love with theater that she began stepping in herself. After years as a dedicated theater mom—helping behind the scenes and cheering from the wings—she finally decided to join the fun. In 2019, she returned to the stage for the first time since leaving high school theater, and now enjoys sharing it with her family (in small, not-too-scary roles). Rochelle’s other passions include event planning and hosting memorable gatherings. She looks forward to creating many more murder mystery dinners and fundraising galas. When she’s not on stage or backstage, she works as an owner and therapist at Roots Counseling and cherishes every moment with her adult kids and soon-to-arrive grandbaby. She loves the healing and connection that come from storytelling and is excited to keep contributing to that magic.
SUSAN BAKER
Founding Member
Susan Baker—affectionately known as Susan Baker Chocolate Maker—crafts small-batch, handmade chocolates that bring joy to every occasion. But her creativity doesn’t stop in the kitchen. For years, Susan has been a driving force behind theatre in Cedar City, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support productions, lift up artists, and keep local arts thriving. Whether she’s tempering chocolate or organizing backstage magic, Susan pours her heart into everything she does, making our community richer—and sweeter—every single day.
DUANE HEER
Founding Member
Duane may have started coming to the theatre because of his wife—but he keeps coming back for the people. He loves to laugh, share a good joke, and make everyone feel welcome. A man of faith who loves Jesus and his family, Duane brings warmth, humor, and steady support wherever he goes.
ANYA PANGAN
Founding Member
Anya has been performing since the age of six, when she first fell in love with the magic of live theatre. From fairy-tale roles in childhood to full-blown Shakespearean drama and high-energy musical theatre, she’s spent her life exploring every corner of the stage. Equal parts performer and behind-the-scenes powerhouse, Anya thrives whether she’s center stage or calling cues from the booth. Her creative passions span stage management, directing, and sound design — each role feeding her love for storytelling and collaboration. She has a particular soft spot for Shakespeare’s rhythm and wit, as well as the infectious joy of a well-timed musical number. Anya believes that theatre is at its best when laughter and heart share the spotlight. Offstage, she loves sharing her passion for all things theatre with her friends, family, and her soon-to-be-born daughter — passing on the wonder, humor, and connection that make the stage so special. You can often find her scheming new production ideas, blasting show tunes, or quoting Much Ado About Nothing just a little too often. Anya is thrilled to bring her experience, curiosity, and creative spark to this new company — and can’t wait to help craft stories that inspire, connect, and entertain.
REMINGTON COMP
Founding Member
Remy is Cool