The final curtain may have fallen on this year’s Spring Dinner Show, but one of the evening’s most emotional moments had nothing to do with the production itself.

Following the final performance of Suite Surrender on June 6, the Elk Point Allied Arts and Leisure Centre announced its auditorium will now be known as the Don Conrad Performing Arts Theatre, honouring a man whose impact on the community’s arts scene spanned decades.

For many in attendance, the announcement felt fitting.

Don Conrad was more than a director, organizer or volunteer. He was one of the driving forces behind community theatre, music and performance in Elk Point, helping create opportunities for generations of residents to step onto a stage, find confidence and become part of something bigger than themselves.

“Don believed that the arts mattered because people mattered,” organizers said during the tribute.

Building More Than Performances

Over the years, Conrad became a familiar face behind countless productions, choir performances and community events.

Whether directing a play, organizing a dinner theatre production, supporting local musicians or helping build the vision for the Allied Arts Centre itself, he was known for encouraging others to get involved.

Many performers took their first nervous steps onto a stage with Conrad offering support from the wings.

Others remember his ability to bring people together through music, theatre and laughter.

Under his leadership, the Elk Point Dinner Theatre and Community Choir enjoyed decades of performances that entertained audiences from across the region.

But those who knew him best say his greatest achievement wasn’t the productions themselves.

It was the community they created.

A Legacy That Will Continue

Conrad passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 78.

He is survived by his children, Tobey St. Arnault and Justin Conrad, four grandchildren, Brianna, Zachary, Georgia and Caroline, along with extended family and many lifelong friends.

In announcing the theatre naming, organizers reflected on the countless memories community members carry of Conrad.

For some, it is a rehearsal or a choir performance.

For others, it is a backstage joke before the curtain rose or the proud smile he wore when months of work finally came together on opening night.

His influence can still be seen in every volunteer who helps build a set, every singer who joins the choir and every performer who finds the courage to step into the spotlight.

A Lasting Ovation

In small communities, the arts often survive because someone is willing to give their time, energy and heart to keeping them alive.

For decades, Don Conrad was one of those people.

Now, every performance held inside the Don Conrad Performing Arts Theatre will serve as a reminder of the man who helped make those moments possible.

His name may now hang above the stage, but those who knew him say his real legacy lives in the people, friendships and memories he helped create throughout the community.

And in Elk Point, that is a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.