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September 11, 2017
Hello,
My wife and I have been coming down to Trinidad since 1995, when we bought some land in Fisher's Peak Ranch. At that time, and for several years thereafter, we would make the 185 mile trip down, stay at the Super 8, find a place to eat (probably Arturo's - where Rino's is now located, for below average food), go back to the hotel, and watch tv. The next day after a fairly good breakfast at the C&H, we walked our land (or what we believed to be our land), thought about what our vacation home would look like, and then drive back to Denver. However we soon realized that there needed to be more...and there just wasn't. While we certainly enjoyed the outdoors, we at least equally wanted a more complete experience. After selling the land in '03, we continued visiting Trinidad. One night we saw a flyer for the SCRT. We went, and we were hooked. Thoroughly professional, it now gives us a real reason to make that drive 3x's a year, and usually more. There's actually something to do at night. No...it's not Cherry Creek. No...it's not Lodo - but that's exactly why we like driving 3 hours (one way) - to be in the middle of nowhere, be surrounded by friendly people who are honestly glad you're there, clean air, easy parking, no lines, and be able to get a decent meal (+ entertainment) at Rino's, a very good performance at the SCRT, and then stay at an upscale room at a welcoming La Quinta. We've been to several shows that actually have 50 to 75 people in the audience. How electric would it be, for the actors, for the audience, but really for Trinidad, to have this be commonplace. No...it'll never have the same "pull" as the opera season in Santa Fe. But given the right marketing, it could be so much more than it is. The SCRT, … has been nothing but inclusive. In and of itself, from what I understand, that's somewhat rare in this type of theatre. Trinidad is lucky to have the talent, the warmth, the experience, and, the sheer drive of [the SCRT organization]. Please don't let it go fallow.
Yours,
[Patron]
Denver
"I've been a part of SCRT since I was 7. After the first day at youth camp I was hooked. Finally, there was a place where literally everyone was accepted. I was able to "cut loose" as you'd say and be me. Because of that experience I was able to break free from the shy turtle shell that I lived in. I went back again and again, year after year until I became a part of the Resident Company.... SCRT is one of the best things I've done.
It has given me confidence and the skills to talk to people. I can make good split-second decisions, my time management skills are wonderful, and SCRT allows me to be me. Yes, I'd say SCRT is more than a performing arts center."
-[Middle School youth name], SCRT Intern, 2015
2/13/2018, personal email
To Fred Vaugeois, SCRT retired Artistic Director
Hey Fred,
I never thought I'd say this, but I sort of miss Trinidad. If I think about it though, I don't really miss the town; I miss the people in the town and the slow, easy-going speed of life there. College life has me going a thousand miles an hour with barely a second to catch my breath, but I'm enjoying every second of it. I added a Spanish minor to my degree so that means I'm even more busy, but it's worth it. If I want to go back to Spain one day I want to know how to speak the language. Also, I wanted to fill you in a little bit about how life is going on in theatre up here. I was the only freshman to get hired this semester in the carpentry shop, working in the carp shop is the best part of my week; and the things I'm learning are so cool! Currently, we're building a massive, all metal set for "Jesus Christ Superstar." And because of my experience with Drew [SCRT Technical Director] over the summer, they were all shocked that I knew how to weld some, and with this set I've been able to really solidify my welding skills. I'm actually one of the few people who's been put on solo projects for the set because of my skills. I'm in a drafting class this semester and a stage management class. I'm really having to push my patience in drafting and having to work hard. We're doing hand drafting right now and later we'll go onto CAD. If I can get better at it maybe being a TD is in my future? There's so many things that are going on up here and I find myself getting carried away sometimes with all the possibilities life has to offer. When that happens I always have to ground myself and think back on where I came from. That always leads back to SCRT. I guess the real meaning of this email was to say thank you. Without you, … and the countless others I met through SCRT I wouldn't be here today...
The mission of the SCRT is to bring diverse entertainment and cultural enrichment to the area, provide a link between the educational and artistic elements of the city, provide education and performance opportunities for local citizens of all ages, bolster the local economy by bringing tourism to the city, serve as an anchor to downtown renovation, reinvigorate local pride, and serve as a launch pad for young artists.
SCRT was created in collaboration with Trinidad State Junior College in the fall of 2001 as a summer program with three goals in mind: increase enrollment at the college, strengthen relationships between the college and the community, and stimulate the local economy by serving as a tourist draw. SCRT created a professional company, ran a college theatre academy, and started a youth academy. In the first three years, SCRT hired 39 professional actors and technicians, provided training and performance opportunities for 120 youth, produced 9 professional shows and 8 student productions, helped implement a theatre and a music majors curriculum at the college, and was governed primarily by a college-based Board of Directors, with financing from the college foundation, corporate sponsors, individual donors, student tuition, and ticket sales.
After three years, the college shifted focus, and the Trinidad business community stepped in to partner with and strengthen the SCRT. A new Board of Directors, consisting of local and corporate business representatives, the City Planner, the hospital CFO, and a former Trinidad mayor, provided the experience and connections to build the organization. SCRT moved into office, storage, construction, and classroom space downtown while continuing to use the college theatre and music facilities for performances. Theatre attendance doubled, and Youth Program enrollment doubled, providing separate training and performance opportunities for ages 5 - 12 and 13 - 18. A financial impact study was commissioned showing that the SCRT generated $1 million in ripple effect spending each summer.
In late 2011, SCRT moved to year-round operation by renting a three-story historic department store in the middle of downtown and converting it to a 125-seat theater with thrust stage and two additional floors for rehearsals, classes, receptions, and storage, with a scene shop and storage facility across the street. To provide revenue to support the downtown facilities and expand training and performance opportunities for youth, SCRT created the Resident and Youth Theatre Companies, wrote and produced the Trinidad - Our Stories series, and now provides something to do in Trinidad almost every weekend.
In its 16th year of operation, SCRT is a valuable component of Trinidad's Creative District, and a strong partner in the Space to Create Colorado initiative. SCRT's office is open Monday - Saturday, acting as an unofficial downtown Welcome Center where trained staff is available to visitors seeking information about Trinidad and perusing the lobby which is a memorial to SCRT and Trinidad's history. Graduates of SCRT Programs can be found working across the nation, running theater companies of their own, performing off-Broadway, touring as technicians for theatre and music companies, or utilizing their organizational and public speaking skills in education and many other professional fields.
Organization name
Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, Ltd
other names
SCRT
2006
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
131 W. Main St.Mailing
SCRT 131 W. Main St.Las Animas County, CO, US