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It Takes A Village
Forging a great working relationship with the
local community, the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre hopes to build a new
theatre for all to enjoy
Oftentimes we read about a theatre group willed to life
from shear determination and sweat, inspired by someone fearless enough to
buck the odds. Sadly, we also hear about theatre companies that, when passing
the torch on to a younger generation, soon find the founders’ dreams
melted away like a snowfall on a warm spring day. And finally, all that remains
is the memory of what was and what could have been.
Well this is NOT one of those stories.
Quite the contrary, this is the story of an evolution of a dream and the village
which insisted the flame of theatre be carried into the future for the enjoyment
of the community and their summer guests.
Planting a Seed
There is an undeniable charm surrounding the small log cabin theatre nestled
in the Arapahoe National Forest as you enter the West gate of the majestic
Rocky Mountain National Park. The residents of the historic town of Grand
Lakes have supported theatre going back to 1966 when David Thompson and his
family, with the assistance of the Grand Lake Arts Council, launched The Troupe
of American College Players.
Over the next 30 years the group would undergo many changes and locations
including productions mounted in a tent and the old Pine Cone Theatre now
known as Pancho and Lefty’s Restaurant.
But in 1989, the Thompson’s took a giant step forward obtaining its initial
not-for-profit 501 C (3) status under the name of Rocky Mountain Repertory
Theatre. Upon the death of David Thompson in 1993, the family asked former
company members Judith and Skelly Warren to take over the leadership of RMRT,
giving rebirth to professional, live theatre in Grand Lake.
Once again the local government stepped up offering the Warrens aid through
the Grand Lake Recreation District. This allowed them to expand the scope
of the theatre by developing the Youth Theatre Workshops. In the following
nine years, the program blossomed, now serving over 100 young participants
each summer.
“Today the RMRT has evolved from a small enterprise, essentially run
by two talented individuals, to an established presence with a year-round
office to manage the business and financial arm, including a full-time executive
director, and a dedicated Board of Trustees, ” reports Chad Scott, managing
director and capital campaign manager of the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.
The company now employs three full-time staff members with Carol Wolff, the
executive director, living in Grand Lake and occupying the administrative
offices year round. Scott and Michael Querio, the artistic director, took
over the management of RMRT in 2005, spending the summer months in Grand Lake
before returning to their homes in New Albany, Ind. and Chicago respectively.
Querio’s and Scott’s off-season provides well-deserved downtime
for planning and administrative work because when summer rolls around the
days start early and the nights are short. Organized chaos ensues each summer
as they lead the influx of 25 theatre artists recruited from all over the
country.
Fifteen actors, five musicians and five technicians hit the ground running
as they prepare for multiple productions shown in true repertory rotation.
RMRT creates a work ensemble with the actors incorporated into additional
jobs in non-performance areas such as manning the box office or working in
back stage activities. Half of the company also participates in their Youth
Theatre Program, but during the five-week production period it is all-hands-on-deck.
“Because we run all three shows in true repertory, we change the set
every night after each show. The only other storage space exists upstairs
of the theatre. Therefore, we must deconstruct each piece so that it fits
through a three-by-seven foot door, walk it outside and around the theatre,
back through another three–by-seven door and up a flight of stairs to
the storage space. All the time being careful because the set for the next
show is coming down the same flight of stairs,” explains Scott.
It is truly an ensemble effort consisting of not only the staff and their
hired guns of summer, but the surrounding community as well.
“We would not be where we are today without the countless people who
do things that mostly go unnoticed. I have the Public Works Director for the
Town of Grand Lake, Bernie McGinn on speed dial. I must call him four times
a week to borrow tools, fix our swamp cooling system, or ask for advice,”
Scott tells us.
“Another town resident, Robert Scott, cooks a gourmet meal for the entire
company once a week and brings it to the actors’ cabins. I have endless
stories of people doing whatever they can for our company.”
Some of the best stories in theatre come from the out-of-ordinary predicaments
that come to light out of necessity. At RMRT things are no different and somewhat
comical if you take it all in stride.
“For the past 18 seasons, the primary set construction area was located
on a gravel clearing. The Town was always nice enough to, when we had a big
set piece to build, rope off one-half of the basketball court. Next to the
basketball courts and gravel areas, lived the Town’s main playground.
So, when we were using a jig saw to cut a flat, we’d have to dodge stray
jump shots and hope for no afternoon showers,” quips Scott.
Admittedly the working conditions are less than perfect, but that doesn’t
make the learning experience any less, nor does it stop some of the artists
from coming back for multiple seasons.
This was the case with Sally Myers who, after three summer tours with RMRT,
decided to make it four in a row and also arranged for a friend to audition.
The young man landed the part of Kenickie in the production of “Grease’’
and the two fell in love on the boards of this little log cabin theatre. The
young man proposed to Sally on the shores of Grand Lake. That man is none
other than Chad Scott, RMRT’s managing director with his soon-to-be wife
Sally acting as the company manager for RMRT.
Sweet Smell of Success
If you are wondering what audiences think of the work of these energetic artists,
flying in from all corners of the country, well consider this.
Since 2005, RMRT is selling an average of 95% of the total theatre capacity,
which is 192 seats. They have racked up 178 sold-out performances including
38 straight in 2007. On the average, they turn away 68 patrons per show due
to sold-out houses.
One could extrapolate from this data that people like what they see. So how
exactly do they put butts in the seats every night?
“It is also important for RMRT to constantly surprise audiences with
a little bit of theatre magic each season—especially in our antique theatre
building. Three years ago my staff thought I had lost my mind when I programmed
Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in my first season as AD. But
the magical sweep of that show proved to be a great trendsetter for this artistic
team. A year later, we made it rain on that tiny little stage in ‘Singin’
In The Rain,’” reveals Michael Querio, artistic director for Rocky
Mountain Repertory Theatre.
Chad Scott agrees and also credits the staff for finding the right mix of
talent for their summer troupe with emphasis on team work.
“Their character is scrutinized just as much as whether they can hit
that high ‘C’. We call it the extra ‘X’ factor or the
extra ‘sparkle.’ These factors, though hard to describe, are shown
by each actor during the performance. We seem to attract individuals that
are so kind, energetic and who truly embrace the community of Grand Lake,”
elaborates Scott, who goes on to credit the community as a big part of their
successful equation.
“Our most effective means of marketing is word-of-mouth from the residents
and shop owners. It seems that everyone in the Town of Grand Lake is invested
in the theatre and believes in its future goals,” explains Scott.
Riding high on their successful track record, RMRT is ready to launch forward
to new heights.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
The support of Grand Lakes’ citizens is truly inspiring and puts to rest
any myth about small town America not loving the arts. Time and time again
they have stepped up to support RMRT, like the successful fundraising campaign
that only took 36 days for the community to offer up $20,000 for new theatre
seating.
On another occasion a generous patron plopped down a $90,000 challenge grant
to purchase the actors housing known as the Betty Dick Off-Broadway Cabins.
The theatre met the challenge in just 90-days allowing RMRT to burn the mortgage
on eight of the cabins located just three blocks from the theatre.
Now the stakes are even higher as RMRT embarks upon an estimated $5 million
capital campaign to construct a state-of-the-art theatre in Grand Lake and,
in the process, secure the theatre’s financial future as well.
Upon conclusion of an extensive feasibility study, which indicated strong
community support for the new theatre, executive director Carol Wolff and
her staff sought out the advice of professionals to formulate a strategy for
a successful fundraising drive.
“Our fundraising consultants suggested a plan for required levels of
giving, including a lead gift of over $500,000, two gifts of $250,000 and
two gifts of $100,000. A silent phase of fundraising would target these lead
gifts, before opening up the campaign to the public,” reveals Scott.
The fundraising effort was given a huge shot of adrenalin when an anonymous
angel donated funds for the purpose of purchasing three prime lots in Grand
Lake.
“Because of the anonymous donor’s $720,000 contribution to purchase
the land, the theatre is close to achieving the goals of the silent phase,”
Scott points out.
Scott believes RMRT has a tremendous advantage by securing 14% of the total
cost of the project before opening up the campaign to the public. He is confident
these confirmed commitments will demonstrate to prospective donors how serious
RMRT is in achieving their goal. The steering committee of the capital campaign
has a goal to raise $2.5 million before starting the public campaign, thus
building the momentum needed to reach the goal of $5 million.
Once completed, the new 300-seat facility will offer a fly system and larger
backstage areas for bigger budgeted productions. There will also be a multipurpose
room built to the same dimensions as the stage for rehearsal and meeting space
and is connected to a kitchen. This room will be available for public use
throughout the year.
It will be a far cry from the shows once produced in tents or in the Pine
Cone Theatre. If any group of people deserve a new theatre it would be the
residents of this prideful Colorado town who, for decades, have given their
unwavering support.
Sometimes it takes a village.
“The most inspirational experience I’ve had in theatre occurred
right here in Grand Lake. It actually has to do with our mentors, former artistic
and managing directors Judith and Skelly Warren. They too, produced the exact
same format we do today, hiring the same number of young people, handling
the same amount of stress and drama that comes with summer stock theatre.
Then, it was just the two of them. Now, we have seven people doing the job
that they did. They designed the sets, choreographed, directed, and did the
accounting, marketing, and managing—just the two of them. They also had
three small children to look after! AND . . . did this without the current
financial or attendance success we now experience. In the summer, when I get
frustrated or overwhelmed, I think back to the Warrens, who did it all on
love and dedication,” offers Scott.
To continue the conversation on the
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre or view other theatre profiles, visit www.dramabiz.com.
