Creede Repertory Theatre

Background Statement

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 in 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, and 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.