How BYU’s MDT Program Prepared Summerisa and Spencer Stevens for Their Careers in Performing and Nonprofit Leadership
BYU Music and Dance Theatre (MDT) alumni Summerisa Bell Stevens and Spencer Stevens’ professional careers took off before either of them graduated from BYU when both landed roles at Tuacahn Amphitheater. However, after years of performing and traveling, their focus turned to community arts as they returned to Utah to lead American Fork’s Harrington Center for the Arts (HCA).
After completing their studies, Bell Stevens and Stevens moved to New York City, signed with agents and began auditioning. Together, they signed contracts with the Disney Cruise Line as main stage performers, embarking on an eight-month voyage. Following their time with the Disney Cruise Line, their careers continued to soar with bookings in tours, regional theatre and Broadway workshops.
Bell Stevens’ notable roles include Sophie in “Mamma Mia!” at STAGES St. Louis and Velma in “West Side Story” at the Paper Mill Playhouse, among others. At the same time, Stevens was shining in several roles himself, including Peter Pan in “Shrek the Musical” on its Broadway International Tour and as Link in “Hairspray” at Idaho Summer Rep[1] [2] [3] [4] . They also founded the Stevens Performing Academy[5] [6] (SPA) in Manhattan, where they nurtured young talent through dance and character-building.
Now, as the president and vice president of the Harrington Center for the Arts, they channel their performance experience and leadership skills into creating opportunities for other artists and enriching the community. In a recent conversation with Bell Stevens, she shared the remarkable and faith-inspired journey that led her and her husband from their beginnings at BYU to becoming prominent figures in the Utah arts community.
Q: How did your time at BYU prepare you for your career?
Bell Stevens: Our time at BYU equipped us with both artistic and leadership skills essential for a career in the arts. The rigorous training in MDT helped refine our craft, preparing us for the professional demands of performing in NYC. More importantly, the collaboration, resilience and creativity fostered in the program laid a foundation for leadership and community-building.
At BYU, we learned how to connect with audiences, adapt to challenges and work under pressure — skills that are crucial not only in the arts but also in nonprofit leadership. As president and vice president of Harrington Center for the Arts, those experiences directly inform how we create opportunities for others and build programs that support artists and enrich the community. The education was more than just technical training; it was a foundation for using our talents to serve and uplift others.
Q: What inspired you to return to Utah and open the Harrington Center for the Arts?
Bell Stevens: Spencer and I co-founded the Harrington Center for the Arts along with several family members, inspired by my late father Carl Bell’s vision. He deeply valued the arts and laid the foundation for what HCA has become. While we were still performing in New York City, we served as board members and volunteers to HCA, offering our time and expertise as the organization began to grow.
As HCA expanded, and with our professional background in the arts, we naturally took on leadership roles. At a pivotal moment in our performing careers, we had to decide the level of involvement we would commit to HCA. After fasting and praying, we received a clear spiritual impression: “I will help you grow into the person I need you to become.” That message made it clear we should transition from performing full-time and return to Utah to focus on building this nonprofit arts organization.
Utah’s arts community is among the strongest in the country. Having trained here ourselves, we’re grateful to support local artists and arts organizations through our work at HCA.
Q: How does your faith impact your work?
Bell Stevens: Looking back over the past seven years, it’s clear that God’s hand has guided us in connecting with the right people — board members, committee leaders, donors and sponsors — who have become true partners in our mission to enrich the community. Through these connections, we’ve been able to welcome over 100,000 participants to our events and directly support more than 4,000 local artists.
Our faith is the driving force behind our work at HCA. We believe that creativity is a divine gift and that the process of creating and experiencing art can bring us closer to God. This belief inspires us to foster opportunities for our community to engage in meaningful creative expression and to be uplifted by inspiring works of art.
Q: What are some projects you're currently working on that you're excited about?
Bell Stevens: One of our most exciting projects is the renovation of the historic Harrington School in downtown American Fork, originally built in 1903, into a community arts center and theater. We have been preparing for this multimillion-dollar project for several years, and it is a cornerstone of our mission to provide a vibrant arts hub for our community. The restored Harrington School will feature creative spaces for local artists, educational classrooms and a state-of-the-art theatre for innovative performances. The project also preserves a key piece of the city’s history while giving it new life as a center for artistic growth and expression.
We’re also preparing for the second year of Living Bethlehem and the Christmas Market at the American Fork Amphitheater. This eight-day Christmas event includes a Hallmark-style village with local vendors offering unique gifts, crafts and warm treats, alongside our immersive 20-minute theatrical experience that dramatizes the night Jesus was born. Last year’s event was a hit — we sold out 4,000 tickets in just four days, and we’re thrilled to build on that momentum this year.
Q: What are your long-term goals for HCA?
Bell Stevens: Our mission at HCA is to foster a culture of creativity and learning by supporting the arts through education and performance opportunities that uplift individuals, families and the community while inspiring meaningful human connections. We currently fulfill this mission through arts festivals, concerts, art exhibits and community events. However, our long-term vision is to significantly expand our impact once the new arts center is completed.
Our goal is to build a creative campus where people of all ages can explore and express their creativity, whether that’s teaching, taking a dance class, painting or watching a performance. We want to create a space that serves as a community hub, where creativity thrives and everyone feels welcome to participate.
Q: What is some advice you would like to share with BYU students?
Bell Stevens: The arts hold incredible power and influence, and it’s important to approach this creative gift with respect and responsibility.
Pursuing a career in the arts can be both rewarding and challenging, but there may come times when the temptation arises to prioritize the love of creating art over the love of God. It’s easy to fall into the trap of worshiping your own talents and seeking validation from audiences, buyers or producers. This mindset can lead to compromising your values for the sake of praise or recognition. Stay grounded by keeping God at the center of your creative journey and remember that your talents are meant to uplift, inspire and reflect His light.