Salida Theater Project

Quality, sustainable, and inspirational theater for our community.

2nd Annual Salida Theater Festival
Sep. 23-Oct. 6

Salida Theater Project is proud to be producing three shows as part of this year's Salida Theater Festival.

The 2024 Salida Theater Festival will include 20 actors/singers, in 7 different shows, at different 5 venues, from 4 production companies, as well as your chance to take one of 6 acting workshops during the first weekend of the Festival. And the classes are free!

Devon Kasper is directing Mountain Octopus, by Beth Kander. A beautiful show that was commissioned by Creede Repertory Theater last year and feels like it could be taking place right here in Salida. This play features veteran STP actors as well as new faces and will be at A Church for seven performances.

STP also brings you a play written by Denver author, Mike Broemmel, called The Wind is Us: The Death that Killed Capote featuring actor Eddie Schumacher. This one man show centers on the life of writer Truman Capote during the time he was writing In Cold Blood. Two performances only also at A Church.

And last by not least, STP actor and director, Allen Lane is thrilled to be directing SongBirds. An old-style evening of cabaret with three beautiful talented singers performing Broadway songs: solos, duets and more! This show will be at TOPO and is first come, first serve. Pay at the door with a one drink minimum.

For showtimes, locations and to purchase tickets for these shows (and four more) please visit: salidatheaterfestival.com

You do not want to miss your chance to be part of this energetic, uplifting and exciting collaboration brought to you by the very best theatrical talent Salida has to offer.

Salida Songbirds

The Salida Songbirds are three childhood friends who grew up, left home and each followed a career on the stage. Every now and then they get together and have a good ole gabfest. As old friends are wont to do, they are not shy about calling each other out. In There’s a Song for That we follow the arc of their lives and loves through songs that capture each moment of surprise, or angst, or hope and how that changed them. And, of course, like all musicals, there’s a happy ending.

Mountain Octopus

“Mountain Octopus” chronicles a few days in Chance – a town very similar to Salida itself and to the mythical Grover’s Corners of Wilder’s OUR TOWN. A town where people live a quiet life, enjoying each other’s company, looking forward to tomorrow with few expectations. A town that accepts the inevitable pains of life as well as the hoped-for joy. A town that takes everyone’s problems seriously, but with a grain of salt. This is a new play written by Beth Kander that was commissioned by Creede Repertory Theater and produced during their 2023 season. Ms. Kander catches the essence of small-town life and gives each player an appropriate answer to their “what do I do now” questions. Thornton Wilder would approve of this script and so will you.

The Wind Is Us

“The Wind Is Us: The Death that Killed Capote” by Mike Broemmel chronicles the life of author Truman Capote from his days researching his iconic “non-fiction novel” In Cold Blood until his death in 1984. The play combines pathos and comedy to reveal how and why Capote’s life collapsed because of his most-acclaimed work, resulting in his premature tragic death. Veteran actor Eddie Schumacher plays Truman Capote. “The Wind Is Us” is presented at the Salida Theatre Festival by the Salida Theater Project and is produced by Act One Productions and Theatrix USA.

Community Theater That Excites Us

SALIDA THEATER PROJECT came about after many conversations over coffee since the summer of 2020.

Brade Bradshaw, a professional actor/director from Chicago, was visiting his parents, who live in South Fork, and something came to mind while strolling through the streets of Salida, “Where is the theater?” There wasn’t any. But it seemed to Brade this was a perfect town for theater.

That’s when Brade hooked up with Devon, former SHS High School Drama coach and Director of Shakespeare in the Park, and they had their first cup of coffee together at Bunny and Clyde’s.

Since Stage Left Theatre Company dissolving in 2016, then the pandemic, which kept many of us from attending large indoor events, the stars have finally aligned.

Thanks to a kick in the pants & master organizational skills from Founding Board Member Leslie Matthews, the light-hearted infectious energy from professional actor Brade Bradshaw, and the established, trusted skills of Devon Kasper (and a shared vision amongst us), we are excited to present to you Salida’s newest theater company, which we hope will be around a long time.

Salida Theater project is dedicated to the following core values: Community, relevance, accessibility, quality, sustainability, and inclusivity.

We will strive to collaborate with artists based locally and beyond to foster a safe artistic platform for growth, conversation, and innovation. Bringing quality, sustainable, and inspirational professional theatre to our community that celebrates the humanity in us all, through intentionally curated seasons, engaging educational programing, and hand-on community engagement.

For now, we plan to bring our community theater that excites us and go project to project. We won’t necessarily bring you a play the same time each year, nor will the show be in the same space each time.

Our long-term goal is to pique the interest of a benefactor out there, or raise the money over time, to have a home and unite community and professional artists alike in a true repertory theater environment. But until then, we hope you come out to support our projects, whether you audition, volunteer or donate!

We will see you at the Theater!