Salida Theater Project
Quality, sustainable, and inspirational theater for our community.
TRI
A New Play by Kelly Walters
Salida Theater Project proudly presents a Staged Reading at A Church
Three old guys walk into a coffee shop…now what? They’ve all lost something, but not quite sure what they’re looking for anymore. Cribbage and coffee help, but that can’t be all there is. What if they tried something new, something out-of-their-wheelhouse crazy? Something involving swimming and biking and running? Oh My!
TRI, a new play by Kelly Walters, embraces the power of friendship and our shared desire to keep exploring…with witty banter, lots of coffee, and a perfect reminder that Valentine’s Day might not be only for lovers, but for the love of friends. The first audiences for this tender and hilarious play, in this first staged reading, will bring reactions and feedback to take it one step closer to its full theatrical life.
A New Play by Kelly Walters
Directed by Susan Dawn Carson
Starring: Allen Lane, Bill Rogers and Kelly Walters
A Staged Reading at A Church
Friday February 14th 7 :00pm
Saturday 15th 7:00pm
Sunday 16th 3:00pm
$18 in advance $20 at the door
$5 for Student (ages 12-1 7)
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.
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!
Recent Donations for Internship Program
$500 Salida Council for the Arts
$500 Linda Taylor
$500 The Rotary Club of Salida
$300 Alys Bruffy
$100 Margie Geurs
Salida Theater Project Sponsors
