Jess Kulik | Keeping Ely’s Creative Light Shining

I have loved plays and musicals for as long as I can remember. When Tim and I moved to Ely from Chicago, we were thrilled to find that the Northern Lakes Arts Association offered many of our favorite kinds of performances. Going to the theater was one of our favorite date nights in the city, and we were delighted that tradition could continue as we settled into life in the woods.

After one especially fun performance of Matilda, we walked out smiling and talking about how wonderful it was to see our friends performing and having so much fun on stage. Tim turned to me and said, “If people I know can get up there and perform, then I can too.” That moment changed something for him. His excitement and confidence grew, and now he is planning to audition for A Christmas Carol this year. I love that NLAA inspired that spark in him—the feeling that he could try something new and be part of the story.

That is what I see NLAA doing for so many people in our community. It builds confidence and excitement through creativity. It gives people the chance to see themselves on stage, in a dance class, or making something new. NLAA creates a space to play, experiment, and connect instead of just sitting in the audience wishing you could.

For me, one of the best parts of being involved is working the ticket booth. I get to watch the joy that fills people as they arrive, talk with families and friends, and then see their faces during intermission or after the show when they cannot wait to share what they loved most. At Ely’s Got Talent, I met a performer’s grandfather who had driven to town to see his granddaughter’s first time on stage. I watched him record her performance and then saw his pride when she won. That moment captured exactly what NLAA makes possible: connection, joy, and shared pride across generations.

There is a special kind of energy that comes from seeing our community perform. During the summer, the professional actors become part of the town. You see them at the farmers market, singing in the park, or chatting in a café. Then you look up and see new local faces in Ely’s Got Talent or Dancing with the Ely Stars, and later some of those same people join a class or audition for a show. You can watch their confidence grow and sense the feeling of possibility spreading through town.

That excitement is why I love NLAA. It is more than theatre; it is a tradition that keeps Ely connected and creative. I may not want to be on stage myself, but I love being in the audience cheering for my friends and neighbors as they take bold, creative steps. Every laugh, every song, every standing ovation reminds us that we are part of something together.

By supporting NLAA, you help keep that spirit alive. Organization strategy and systems creation may be my day job, but what drives me is connection. NLAA builds those connections through art, performance, and shared stories.

Your donation keeps the lights on, the doors open, and the arts accessible for everyone in our region. During Give to the Max, every dollar you give is matched through our $20,000 fund, doubling your impact. Together, we can keep Ely’s creative light shining and ensure that the next time someone leaves a performance inspired to try, the opportunity will be waiting.