News

* What's Up? *

April 28, 2013 Read More

April 25, 2013 Read More

Congratulations! To our 2012 True West Awards
	Special Accomplishment Cory Gilstrap "A Christmas Carol"
December 26, 2012

Congratulations! To our 2012 Marlowe Awards Winners
	Best Actor in a Comedy Zachary Andrews "Leading Ladies"
	Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Edith Weiss "Leading Ladies"
	Best Director of a Comedy Missy Moore "Leading Ladies"
	Best Comedy "Leading Ladies"
December 26, 2012

We Want Your Clothes!

We're preparing a one-of-a-kind backdrop for our January production of LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE.

The play is a touching story of women who relate their life stories through their clothing. The staging for the play is five chairs in which five actresses will sit and tell their stories. For the Backstage production, we plan to create a quilted backdrop made up of different clothing items (pants, skirts, blouses, etc.) that have special significance to the women who donate them.

The Backstage is soliciting clothing items that we may use for this drop. Here are the guidelines to follow:

* The clothing item must be clean.
* Bras, slips, bustieres will be accepted but no other type
of undergarment, please.
* Items are donated to the Backstage with the understanding
that they will not be returned.
* Submissions must be received by Friday, December 14.

If you decide to donate an item, we would like to know the history of the item and the significance it has for you. Include a brief note about the item when you donate it. We may include this information (anonymously) in a guide to the backdrop as an insert in the program or lobby display.

Submissions may be made by contacting the theatre at (970) 453-0199, mailing to PO Box 297 in Breckenridge CO 80424, or dropping off items at the Breckenridge Theatre before performances (check out our performance schedule Calendar for dates when theatre will be open). Theatre is staffed 90 minutes before curtain.

Thanks for your help in creating a unique piece for this production and continuing the story of our lives told through the clothes we wear.

November 24, 2012

Two Volunteers Wanted

Backstage is searching for two special, fun oriented people that would work together to coordinate business, social club, school, conference and church contacts for employee/member group entertainment bookings.

We are looking to establish a consistent labor of love contact program shared by two individuals that can be initiated throughout the year. Volunteer on your own time.

Two people would be ideal... if one is out of town, the other can cover.

Because of the upcoming holiday season, we are looking for those individuals to begin soon. Volunteers would work in tandem with the Special Events Ticketing Manager, Kim Lineaweaver. Bookings would be commissionable.

For more information, call (303) 513-4444.

September 28, 2012

Family Plays - Dramatic Publishing

A big ole color pic from our Backstage Children's Theatre production of TWO DUMB DOGS is featured on the back cover of the new Family Plays catalogue generated by Dramatic Publishing.

The show, written by Edith Weiss, was commissioned and produced for our 2007-2008 season. Michael Grittner directed.

In the pic (from left to right) are Christopher Willard as Ferdo and Skip Wee as Floof.

September 14, 2012

Leadership Council

The highly rewarded and much loved Backstage Theatre is the oldest theatre in Summit County and proudly looks back to 38 successful seasons. The Board of Directors is looking for a few good men and women who would like to help lead and do strategic planning for our 40th anniversary and the next 40 years of success of this important part of the community and entertainment resource for all.

We are forming a small, new high level group, the "Leadership Council", that will meet 2-3 times a year to discuss new ideas and strategies to continue to grow and shape the Backstage Theatre. If you are not here all year long we will work with your calendar.

We want to build on the best of what has been the Backstage Theatre tradition of comedy and drama from the first 40 years. We believe that there are many opportunities for growth and new relationships with the community and businesses.

Please contact Theo Fleisch (theo.fleisch@gmail.com 281-660-7810) or Steve Bainbridge (bainbridge.steve@yahoo.com 970-297-8995) to discuss and be invited to our first organizational meeting of the group in November or December.

We would love to have your help. There are very exciting things happening in the theatre and arts community in Summit County. The Arts District in Breckenridge is on the move with a major build out and enhancement of activities. Our theatre is the cornerstone of these developments. Help us move successfully with these challenges and opportunities.

September 2, 2012

Breckenridge's Backstage Theatre Receives TAFF Grant To Expand and Re-develop KidsPlay Program

TAFF, a Plano, Texas-based family foundation, has awarded a generous grant to the Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge for the purpose of helping the theatre expand and redevelop KidsPlay, its popular children's theatre workshop program.

Children's workshops have been a cornerstone of the Backstage Theatre's community involvement. The programs were consolidated and re-named KidsPlay in the early 1990's. According to Backstage Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Willard, the goal of the KidsPlay program is to grow participation in and instill love of the performing arts in children. "We hope to foster curiosity in the arts, develop skills, and along the way, create an arts patronage and talent base for the future," Willard states, "but this program has been seriously wanting for a little help, and the TAFF grant is a very timely and welcome rescuer."

Formed in 2000, The Andrea Mennen Family Foundation is a private foundation established by Christina Mennen Andrea to enhance the quality of life and to build a positive foundation for children and young adults to meet and overcome life's mental and physical challenges. The foundation offers support for educational programs like KidsPlay to afford children and young adults the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. The Andrea family, who have a home in Breckenridge, see this investment in the important work of the Backstage Theatre as a way to garner more involvement from the community. Christina Andrea hopes others will support the Backstage's efforts. "Sometimes a little push from one philanthropic person or organization," according to Ms. Andrea, "can have a positive snowball effect (no pun intended for Breckenridge snow balls)!"

The $16,000 grant from TAFF will allow the Backstage to expand its KidsPlay program to encompass three different age brackets (6-9, 10-12, and 13-14) for the Fall and Spring sessions. KidsPlay will also add two summer workshop programs that will incorporate music and dance to give children and youth more rounded instruction in all disciplines of the performing arts. "I've been hoping to create separate age brackets of learning for quite some time now," says Willard. "Having students learn with their peers will allow for more challenging skill- and age-appropriate curriculum to be introduced that will correspond with the maturation level of the students in each workshop." The TAFF grant will also allow the Backstage Theatre to lower its tuition cost for the KidsPlay program in order to make the program more affordable to families of varying incomes. The grant also means the KidsPlay classes will be able to present performances, free of charge, to their family and friends at the end of each session. "All the things we've been wanting to do with this program we can now do, thanks to TAFF." The Backstage Theatre is in the process of hiring instructors for the upcoming workshops and will make announcements soon regarding the individual sessions set to begin in in mid-September.

"We are tremendously grateful to the Andreas for this generous gift," Willard says. "It truly is a next-level type of grant that gives the program a chance to spread its wings and welcome more children to the theatre. But we'll need assistance to keep the program flourishing, and we hope donors will jump onboard to help the program continue to grow."

The Backstage Theatre is a 39 year-old arts institution in Summit County. It is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) whose community programs include adult and youth workshops, and year-round productions and special events.

You, too, can contribute to the Backstage Theatre's KidsPlay program by clicking Donate Now.

~ ~ ~ ~

Summit Daily News
"Funds allows for expansion of children's theater program"
Friday, September 7, 2012

"The Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge received a $16,000 TAFF grant from the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation to expand and redevelop KidsPlay, its popular children's theater workshop program." READ MORE

August 26, 2012

Make a Donation

Donate Online
Download Donation Form

There's still time to donate to your favorite non-profit - The Backstage Theatre!

Ticket sales only cover about 40% of our operating costs. In addition to the price tag for shows (royalties alone can be upwards to $4,000 for a musical), we pay office rental, utilities, employee salaries, etc. We rely on the generous contributions from our donors and supporters to help us pay for these expenses so we can continue to offer these wonderful shows and important community programs to you, the valued patron.

You'll be glad - and we'll be glad that you did!

Please Support the Backstage Theatre and Donate Today!

July 30, 2012

Our Wish List. . .

Do you have any of the following items taking up space in your home or office? If so, we'd love to take them off your hands.

* Truck with payload space
* Trailer (at least a 4x8 capacity)
* generator
* color copier

Contact us at (970) 453-0199 or info@backstagetheatre.org.

Backstage Theatre, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All donations are tax deductible.

July 30, 2012

>

Congratulations! To our 2011 Marlowe Awards Winners
	Best Actor in a Children's Play Chris Willard "Three Little Pigs"
	Best New Children's Play "The Three Little Pigs" Edith Weiss
	Best Direction (Children's Play) Edith Weiss "The Three Little Pigs"
December 15, 2011

Congratulations! To our Denver Post Ovation Award Nominees
	Best Actor in a Comedy Eric Mather "The Nerd"
	Best Children's Theatre Actor Christopher Willard "The Three Little Pigs"
	Best Children's Play "The Three Little Pigs" Edith Weiss
Thanks for voting online for your favorites! Voting closed on December 19, 2011. The awards will be announced on Christmas Day. December 11, 2011

Board of Directors


Backstage Theatre is actively seeking additional members to serve on its Board of Directors.

Read More

August 22, 2011

The Backstage Theatre receives $6500 grant from Colorado Creative Industries


DENVER (July 1, 2011). Colorado Creative Industries announces 132 grant awards totaling $922,000 to organizations and government agencies in 32 Colorado counties.

Colorado Creates is the agency's largest grant program, providing critical financial support that helps nonprofit cultural organizations and government agencies produce and present arts and cultural activities, bringing jobs to their communities and enhancing their quality of life. Colorado Creates grants provide a seal of excellence and help these groups leverage local and national funds. To spread limited state funds as broadly as possible, CCI requires grant applicants to "sit out" one year of funding every three years.

The grant awards are for activities that take place between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. A complete list of this year's grant recipients by county follows this press release. A full description of this year's funded activities will be posted at a later date to www.coloradocreativeindustries.org.

"These grants support the artists and creative entrepreneurs who are critical to Colorado's Creative Economy," said Elaine Mariner, Director of the Creative Industries Division. "There are over 186,000 jobs in our state's creative sector, making it the fifth largest employment cluster. By investing in this sector's vitality, the state builds its reputation as a premier creative hub and reaps significant economic returns."

ABOUT CCI Colorado's new Creative Industries Division, within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, was established in July 2010 to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to drive economic growth in Colorado. The Division merges the former Colorado Council on the Arts, the Office of Film, Television and Media, and the state's Art in Public Places program and renames the governor-appointed, 11-member Council on the Arts the Council on Creative Industries. The mission of Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado's economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life.

Press Release
Elaine Mariner, Director, elaine.mariner@state.co.us

July 1, 2011

                                      Grant Challenge

Printable Grant Challenge Form

The Backstage Theatre is honored to be a recipient of a generous Sponsorship Grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado to support its production of "The Full Monty."

The grant includes a Challenge Component that will allow us to grow our family by leveraging NEW and ADDITIONAL donations from individuals and corporations. This is a terrific way to make a significant financial impact and to support the best in community theatre in our region.

All new or increased gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

June 18, 2011

Thank You!


The Board and Staff of the Backstage Theatre wish to extend their heartfelt thanks. . .


To the tremendous talent involved with our 3rd Annual Backstage Bash:
Jeffrey Bergeron (M.C. extraordinaire), Wendy Moore (direction), Kelly Monahon (choreography), Kelly Butler and Gary Green (acts development), BJ & Bob Knapp and Jim & Geralyn Smitherman (decorations), Jackson Walsh (lighting and sound), John Daisy (after party at Fatty's).

And the fabulous community acts who came together for the show:
Arrow Insurance, Scotty Bondo, Breckenridge Recreation Center Lifeguards, Bob French, Blind Dog Hank, Hippies and Hula Hoops, Gary Martinez, Alex Miller, Bob Moore, Noah and the Arcs, Genevieve Price, Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County Moms, Heidi Swartzloff, Summit Prevention Alliance, Logan Weinman, and Christopher Willard.

Our thanks to the businesses who donated auction items: Alpine Sports, AMR Ski & Board Rentals, Antler's Liquor, Big City Blues, Blue River Bistro, Blue Sage Spa, The Breakfast Deli, Breckenridge Distillery, Breckenridge Film Festival, Breckenridge Golf Club, Burke & Riley Irish Pub, Colorado Mountain Express, Dos Locos Restaurant, The Dredge, D'Vine Wine, Ember, Fresh Tracks Transportation, Hand and Glove, Hearthstone Restaurant, High Country Designs, Joseph Molina Authentic Mexican Imports, Joy of Sox, Juniper Tree, Keystone Resort, Local Liquors & Peak Provisions, The Lost Cajun Restaurant, Magical Scraps, Mary Faber (Upper Hand Salon), Mi Casa Restaurant, Motherloded Tavern, Mountain Outfitters, Mountain View Sports, Nicole Wyckoff (Upper Hand Salon), North Face Store, Penny Banks, The Photo Shop, Salt Creek Steakhouse, Snake River Saloon, SouthRidge Seafood Grill, Steak and Rib, Sunburst Accessories & Gifts, Taddeo's Ristorante Italiano, Tuscato Ristorante Italiano, Valley Girl Boutique, Vitamin Cottage, White Mountain Snowmobiles.

And finally, thanks to the fabulous supporters who attended the show. It was a great night of community bonding and foolishness for a terrific cause. Thank you all!

We look forward to another Topsy Turvy Community Bash next April 1st. Save The Date!

April 4, 2011

Backstage Theatre Wins Award

The Colorado Theatre Guild recognized the Backstage Theatre as this year's 2010 Outstanding Regional Theatre in a ceremony held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The award honors special achievements of one theater company located outside the seven county Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in the Denver area. This is the second year the award has been given. Last year's winner was Aspen Stage, a summer Equity theater.

One of the elements artistic director Christopher Willard credits for making the Backstage a strong theater is the bonds of the community, as well as the theater's mission to provide an artist outlet to locals."

"We continue to give a platform for creative expression for all ages in our community and beyond," Willard said, as part of his acceptance speech. "We have utilized the arts to bring individuals and families and all ethnic groups together. We do it with joy, with passion, for the love of the art, and to grow that love of the art in others."

Patrons can view the one-of-a-kind statue on display at the Breckenridge Theatre.

Summer, 2010

Chris Willard Published

"Hidden", the stirring portrait of Dutch rescuers during WWII - which was created exclusively for the Backstage - will be published by Playscripts, Inc. in the fall.

"Hidden" was written by artistic director Christopher Willard and Jamie Bruss ("A Backstage Christmas Carol").





June 4, 2010