The Arts in Summit County Colorado

Bright Lights, Big Mountains

When you say the words "Summit County, Colorado, most people think of snow-sport enthusiasts enjoying a powder day on the slopes. While most people associate the Rocky Mountains with outdoor sport, many do not think of it as a cultural Mecca. Yet nestled near our mountains and lakes, the arts are alive and well in Summit County. Local actors and directors have chosen starlight over the bright lights of Broadway, and big mountains over huge skyscrapers. If you think that these are people who would not have made it elsewhere, think again.

In any profession, one must choose between lifestyle preferences and opportunity for professional advancement. If someone is pursuing a life in theater, and they love the city life, New York City is obviously the place to be. As a fitness professional, I spent most of my life in New York, working in areas such as the Upper West Side, and Greenwich Village. I was in daily contact with many actors who came to the city from all over the U.S. Many were quite talented. But even with enormous talent, finding work was challenging. And some, regretted the fact that they could not easily participate in the recreational activities they enjoyed, such as skiing or mountain biking. For many, their creative inspiration came from being in a mountain environment. Finding themselves stressed by the city life, they found that they were not improving at their craft.

Back in college, I took a theater course with the dance critic Walter Terry. He commented that the arts were too centralized in New York City. In order to keep more actors working, other communities must pave the way for more artistic environments. This seems to be happening in Summit County. Actors who have done reasonably well in larger cities have chosen this area for its lifestyle. Visitors and locals benefit from their talent.

Backstage Theatre