Creede Repertory Theatre
             

 

 About the CRT, Contributions

 

CRT Community Contributions

For 43 years, the Creede Repertory Theatre has been contributing to Creede and its surrounding community—as a cultural hub in the San Luis Valley and as a friend to schools, businesses and nonprofits alike. Find out below how the CRT gives back to the community that has given it so much.

  • CRT’s award-winning company produces the best of contemporary and classic theatre from the end of May through September. Each year CRT produces six to ten plays, hosts numerous musical events and concerts, and exhibits the best regional artists in its two lobby galleries. CRT contributes a rich cultural legacy to the community.
  • In 2006, the CRT hosted the second annual benefit performance for other nonprofits in the area. Through this benefit performance, the CRT raised $3,137.00, which was then divided equally and given to the Mineral County Fairgrounds Association and the new ambulance facility. The CRT also held 2 benefit performances of its 2006 winter holiday show on behalf of the Mineral County Fire Department raising $620.00 in aid for them. Each year the CRT Community Relations Community, comprised of community members decides which nonprofits will receive funding from the benefit performances.
  • In 2006 the CRT provided new educational programming to patrons. One program explored the life and music of the Gershwin brothers in conjunction with Crazy for You; the other, in cooperation with the Creede Historical Society and Colorado State Historical Society, retraced the steps of Bob Ford, Jesse James’ killer, who was a bar and brothel owner in Creede.
  • Recent estimates by The Denver Post and the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group calculate the impact of CRT on the local economy of $2.1 million annually.
  • CRT serves 10,000 – 15,000 students annually in underserved communities throughout the Southwest by taking theatre to children, many of whom have never seen a live performance. In 2006 thanks to a generous grant by the Krueger Foundation, CRT distributed 7,000 books in connection with its young audience outreach tour.
  • CRT provides classes, workshops, internships and performance opportunities to the children from the local community, filling a gap in public education deprived of the resources to provide instruction and opportunities in the performing arts.
  • Each year CRT provides free space and support to other local nonprofits like the Creede Arts Council, the Creede/Mineral County Arts and Recreation Department and the Creede Child Care Center.
  • In an economy driven by tourism, CRT recognizes the need for promotion. Each year CRT produces brochures and posters that are then distributed throughout the Southwest. CRT produces a beautiful program that serves as the best guide to area businesses and CRT people and events. CRT advertises throughout the state in tourist magazines, radio and newspapers and provides weekly PSAs about all current events. More than 19,000 tickets were sold to CRT events in 2006.
  • CRT continually upgrades its facilities, including major restorations of its housing and theatre complex in the last decade. The Rio Grande Hotel was restored to its original condition in 2000. This project led the way toward the preservation of historic buildings in Creede and funding from the Colorado State Historical Society.
  • Over 1,200 volunteer hours were recorded at CRT last year. CRT provides many volunteer opportunities from the community and a vital place for people, especially summer visitors, to gather and meet new people.
  • Each year the CRT donates more than 50 complimentary tickets to nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado, including Habitat for Humanity, Rocky Mountain PBS, La Puente, the Colorado Rural Health Center and many others.
  • CRT’s Education Department provides the kids of Creede and neighboring communities with a wide variety of ways to participate in the arts. Classes & Day Camps explore mime, puppetry, Shakespeare, acting, and mask-making. Our Young Audience Outreach Tour brings excellent, high-energy productions to upwards of 15,000 students each Fall. CRT’s Creede Initiative program allows local youth to participate in all aspects of play production. These are just some examples of educational programs which illustrate CRT’s commitment to arts education locally and throughout the Southwest.