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Founded in 1966, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit professional theatre company located at 9,000ft in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. CRT serves as an artistic home to our rural community and beyond through the creation of engaging repertory seasons performed across two venues between May and September; dynamic educational programs which impact over 35,000 students each year; and compelling new works through our Headwaters New Play Program.
The Denver Post named CRT as “among the top five theatres in the state;” USA Today has called CRT “one of the top ten theatres to see the lights way off Broadway;” and in 2021, The New York Times featured Creede Rep on the cover of its Sunday Art & Leisure section, touting it as the “triumph of the Friday night footlights.”
Your gift will makes the magic of theatre and arts education programs possible across the Southwestern United States.
"Creede is the triumph of the Friday night footlights." - Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 2021
"Not only were the people uncommonly nice and the shows good, but here was a place where theater was an integral part of the civic fabric. As soon as I left, I dreamed of returning." - Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, upon her return in 2022
"Thank you for all that helped produce this wonderful piece of Hispanic art. The intricacies of the Hispanic culture is well woven into the performance and is most appreciated if you understand Spanglish and the way of mi gente (my people)." -- Patron comment after the world premiere of Prima's Guide to Funerals in 2024
“I've gotten to live most of my life doing my art alongside my husband doing his art, and living the way we want to live. I think everybody wants to follow their dream – but not many people get to do it.” - Longtime actor, Christy Brandt, about her 50 years on stage at CRT, in an article for the Denver Gazette, 2023
"Pure magic inhabits summertime in this place, and that is in no small part due to the existence and involvement of Creede Rep." - Monica Sallaway, 2019 Company Manager
"If you are within 100 miles of Creede, CO, the Creede Repertory Theatre is a MUST SEE! Thanks to some far-sighted citizens and Kansas University, this theatre had its beginnings over 50 years ago. This is a truly professional company and true repertory- many actors are performing in more than one play...It doesn't matter what's playing, you will experience some of the best live theater you will see off Broadway." - Morton from Champaign, IL, Trip Advisor review July 2019
"We were blown away! The caliber of acting was as good as any off broadway production (we recently saw Hamilton in NY). The venue is small and intimate which was a huge bonus. You will come away shaking your head in unbelief that this little town has something so good to offer in live theater. I don't care how far away you live, this is well worth the drive." - Bruce from Denver, CO, Yelp review July 2019
"Most of our students will never have an opportunity to attend a theatre performance. I am thrilled we are giving them the experience!" - Shayla, Teacher at a school receiving a YAOT tour performance
"It's a chance for Denverites to see what is easily among the state's five best theater companies, which produces seven wildly varying productions each summer in the mountains 250 miles southwest of Denver…And it's just plain fun." - John Moore, The Denver Post, encouraging readers to see a CRT touring production in Denver.
"Creede is like this smorgasbord buffet table of theater, and so if you can't do everything all at once, they simply can't employ you. We're doing Moliere, musicals, deep dark dramas, light farces and romantic comedies - all at once." -Michael Bouchard in a 2011 Denver Post article
"It provides audiences the opportunity to see Christy Brandt, the best Colorado actor you may never have seen act before. Brandt has been summering on Creede stages for 37 years, and Miss Helen [in The Road to Mecca] may be her coup de grace."
-John Moore, Denver Post, 2011
"The question each summer for metro theater aficionados is whether the 250-mile drive to the remote San Juan Mountains to see the work of the Creede Repertory Theatre will really be worth it. And for the 44th year, the answer is yes. Really."
"It's worth it for the variety of fare…and it's certainly worth it for the breathtaking scenery, notably the noble peak that juts out from the end of Main Street a thousand feet higher than the town's 9K elevation. Theater is big business in Creede, population "586 nice folks - and 17 soreheads," a sign reads. Good thing, too: The theater is the biggest employer in Mineral County, whose last silver mine closed in 1985. The nearest movie theater is an hour away.
"How fortunate, then, there exists here this highly professional theater company offering a different show each night on two stages, drawing 20,000 patrons a year."
-John Moore, The Denver Post, 2009
From its Rocky Mountain roots, Creede Repertory Theatre serves as an artistic home to our rural community and beyond, through the creation of repertory seasons, dynamic educational programs, and compelling new works.
HISTORY
With the decline of the silver mines in the 1960s, Creede needed a new source of income. In 1966, the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) met with pastor Jim Livingston and brainstormed about how to secure an attraction for summer visitors with the hope of stimulating business activity. Pastor Livingston loved theatre and, out of that love, a vision for Creede was born. They agreed to bring performances to the old opera/movie house. But to have performances, they needed performers, which were hard to find in the mining community. Still determined, they mailed letters to various universities, hoping that some excited students would answer the call to help build a summer theatre. One of those letters was posted on a bulletin board at the University of Kansas. Steve Grossman, a theatre student, saw the letter, took it down, and answered it.
Under the direction of 19-year-old Steve Grossman, twelve students drove from KU to Creede. The Jaycees joined with them and with $32 in the bank, they mounted the first season. The twelve tireless students all performed in the shows, built the scenery, sewed the costumes, found or made props, lit the stage, and sold tickets for $1.00. The opening show, Mr. Roberts, electrified the Creede audience and received an enthusiastic standing ovation. Most people in that audience had never seen live theatre. The KU students went on to open four more plays over the next four weeks and run them all in repertory.
TODAY
Now entering its 60th Season, CRT is a 501(c)3 non-profit professional theatre company with an annual budget of $2M. Every summer, the Theatre employs approximately 75 theatre artists to work alongside CRT’s eight year-round staff members, produces 4-5 shows in true rep, ofand offers over 120 performances to 18,000+ patrons.
CRT’s robust Education programs provide meaningful theatre offerings to over 35,000 young people every year. In the fall, CRT’s flagship education program, the Young Audience Outreach Tour (YAOT) travels across the Southwestern United States visiting schools rural and remote communities, bringing them an original bilingual musical. Day camps, summer camps, school residencies, workshops and the annual KID Show have contributed to the vibrancy and growth of CRT’s Education programs.
Though located in a town of only 400 year-round residents, Creede Rep serves over 20,000 patrons annually (over 50% of them from out-of-state) and has an economic impact of $3.5M locally and over $4.75M regionally, according to a study conducted in 2023.
WHAT IS REPERTORY
Unlike most theatres, which produce one show at a time, Creede Rep produces in a true rotating repertory, engaging a resident company of artists to build, rehearse, and perform multiple productions simultaneously. The repertory model presents the theatre and its artists with unique challenges and its audience with a unique opportunity. At the height of the summer season, CRT will have four professional productions, an improv comedy show, a student-driven production, a touring production for young audiences, and multiple special events performing in rotation. In one weekend, even in one day, audiences can experience a venue transformed by completely different design elements and actors portraying wildly different characters, adding to the excitement of the theatrical experience. This producing approach showcases our artists’ versatility and encourages visitors to extend their stays, boosting the local economy.
MAINSTAGE THEATRE
The CRT Mainstage started life in the 1930s as a movie house. Later, it became The Creede Opera House, where owner and loveable eccentric, Carl Helfin, staged melodramas. It had been shuttered for a few years before its rebirth in 1966. In its history as the home of CRT, it has been through fires, floods, and renovations. Floors have been added, spaces transformed, and some company members swear the third floor is haunted. Today, it houses our 230-seat proscenium stage, Helfin rehearsal hall, staff offices, box office, gift shop, concessions, costume shop, costume inventory, and countless odd nooks and crannies.
RUTH HUMPHREYS BROWN THEATRE
CRT opened the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre (“the Ruth”) in 2011 with the generosity of the Humphreys Brown family, numerous private donors, foundations, and state and federal support. The Ruth can seat up to 199 people in a range of formats from thrust to in-the-round. It is an intimate and accessible space equipped with climate control allowing for year-round use, providing a much-needed space for Creede community events.
Organization name
Creede Repertory Theatre
other names
CRT
1966
Tax id (EIN)
84-0660026
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Enterprise Zone Credit
Address
124 North Main Street (Mainstage Theatre) 120 South Main Street (Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre)Mailing
P.O. Box 269Headquarters
124 N. Main StreetMineral County, CO, US