$9,108 raised by 47 donors
18% complete
$50,000 Goal
Breckenridge Backstage Theatre (BBT) is the oldest year-round theatre company on the western slope. In 1976, the theatre incorporated as Summit County's first non-profit, with a desire to bring live performance to the community. The artistic vision has continued to evolve and over the years has been awarded with numerous Colorado Theatre Guild and True West Awards. In 2010, BBT received the prestigious Colorado Theatre Guild - Outstanding Regional Theatre Award. In 2012, the Breckenridge Town Council approved a $2.55 million renovation of the Breckenridge Theater. Construction on the building began in Spring 2015 and completed in June 2016. Today it serves as the company’s main performance space in addition to use of the 750 seat Riverwalk Theatre space as needed. In 2022, the company led a national search for new leadership and recently appointed Chicago veteran arts leader Jacqueline Stone as Producing Artistic Director, tasked with leading the next phase of organizational growth and strategy. Annually the theatre produces 7 main stage productions, one family production, one youth production, and a full set of classes and summer camps for ages 3 – 21.
BBT’s mission is to enrich, educate and entertain Summit County residents and visitors of all ages through high quality-professional theatre, community theatre, and meaningful learning through the arts.
The Backstage Theatre was formed in 1974 to provide a performance outlet for the residents of and visitors to Breckenridge. At the time, the Backstage was the only performing arts venue in the area. As it grew in popularity, the Backstage was incorporated as Summit County's first non-profit and began to stage a full slate of musicals, mysteries, and melodramas. It soon added a classic film series, a chamber music series (which later became the Breckenridge Music Institute), and children's theatre workshops. In the many decades that followed, the Backstage added educational programs for the community, expanded its performance schedule, increased the quality and professionalism of its stagings, and won high honors in regional, national, and international levels of competition.
Now celebrating our 50th year of operation, the Backstage is growing with the demands of its audience. More complex and sophisticated theatrical offerings are routinely requested by our patrons. With the increased growth of both the town and tourism - and the prevalence of other entertainment options in the Breckenridge area - the Backstage is working to remain vibrant and vital as a contemporary outlet for the performing arts in Summit County. An expansion of the theatre's infrastructure is underway which will create a state-of-the-art experience for patrons and performers, allowing the company to present bigger productions with bigger production values. While continuing to offer creative community theatre opportunities for Summit County residents, the theatre is moving toward Equity status and looks forward to hiring another level of professional Colorado performers to help realize its more ambitious theatrical goals. The Backstage sees this as a necessary next stage in our evolution in order to remain competitive and meeting the expectations of our patrons. In the meantime, we continue to employ a mix of local performers and professional Denver-area talent, relying more on Colorado-based professional performers when the production needs require it.
SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND LITERACY $50,000 CAMPAIGN FOR 2024-25!
BBT values creating diverse entry points to all programs, with access across ages, geographical boundaries, and income levels. The theatre currently has diverse types of offerings that serve ages 3 to 100 years old, and typically serves 12,000 theatre and special event patrons, 221 volunteers, 237 youth in programs, and 250 employees and contract artists annually.
BBT’s annual programs include five main stage productions, 1-2 youth performed productions (STEP program), one Community production, one Theatre for Young Audiences production and 8-10 educational classes and camps. BBT holds readings, discussions, and workshops throughout the year to engage community responses and develop local talent. Last year, we broke box office records, won three Henry Awards for Best Actor in a Play, Best Supporting Actor in a Play, and Best Actor in a Musical, and strengthened partnerships with Summit County Library, the True Crime and Wine Book Club, Historical Society, and more.
READ MORE ABOUT BBT'S PROPOSED YOUTH ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Our objectives:
Offer programs at no cost or greatly reduced cost, and provide high quality, robust, and professional arts training for youth.
First hand experience, immersed in full productions
Develop life skills, leadership, communication, ensemble building, and a promotion of early literacy.
1) STEP (Student Theatrical Enrichment Program)
A fully produced production of Finding Nemo, Jr. (Jan. 30 - Feb. 8. 2025)
All roles are played by youth ages 6-18
All staff are working theatre professionals
A completely FREE opportunity for students, no tuition fees
Last year served 30 youth in the show, and 1,200 audience members
2) Literacy Youth Tour for The Very Young
Brand new program launched in Summer 2024
Lead partners are The Summit County Library Branches and Mountaintop Explorium.
These shows will be offered free of charge to the community, and to all audience members.
Goal is to marry the arts with literacy to create educational and entertaining contact that inspires early learners to read.
The program is created for audience members 0-10 years old.
A fully produced interactive touring production of Winnie The Pooh
If fully funded will be presented in Spanish and English.
Audience will be able to read the book after the performance.
3) Year Round After School Classes and Camps
Every year, BBT awards as many tuition scholarships to year round after school classes and summer camps at the theatre.
Class topics include scene study, play-writing, comedy workshops, and production.
Classes are offered for elementary through high school ages.
Every class or camp culminates in a final performance for family and friends on a professional theatre stage.
Focus on building confidence, theatrical process, and teamwork.
4) BBT is also offers Winter Break and Spring Break Youth Camps in 2024-25!
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BBT uses the following metrics to measure the impact of our 2024-25 youth arts programming, as follows:
BBT measures success by ticket sales and audience size, participation numbers in our classes, camps, and youth shows, number of scholarships awarded to youth students, individual donations, grant awards, sponsorships, and volunteer hours. Prior to the pandemic, we had expanded our patron numbers and box office by 20%, and participation in programs by 50% over the last ten years. This past season we increased box office numbers by another 20% and program participation by another 25%.
Organization name
Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Inc.
other names
BBT, Backstage Theatre
1976
Tax id (EIN)
84-0716066
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
121 S. Ridge St PO Box 297Summit County, CO, US