CREEDE – It was an evening full of laughter and fun for all who attended the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards and those present made the best of it including several members of the Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT).
According to the Colorado Theatre Guild, the Henry Awards began in 2006 and were named for Henry Lowenstein.
“The awards are named for longtime local theatre producer Henry Lowenstein. Nominations are determined through a judging process conducted by more than 100 statewide peer professionals, academics / educators and other theatre lovers. Few people have had as much impact on theater in Denver — or the lives of theater people in Denver — as Henry Lowenstein, who ran Denver Post publisher Helen Bonfils’ crown jewel on East Colfax Avenue and Elizabeth Street until the theater closed in 1986. He discovered new talent. He launched careers. He encouraged women and people of color. For hundreds of thousands of Coloradans, the Bonfils served as their first experience in live theater.”
CRT Marketing Director Kate Berry was nominated for her lead role in “Mountain Octopus” that hit the CRT stage in 2023. It was a beautiful play about the process of grief in a small mountain town that resembled Creede.
In addition to Berry’s nomination, CRT’s newly appointed Artistic Director, Emily Van Fleet, was nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Arvada Center.
CRT alumni also received nominations: Christy Montour-Larson (CRT: “August: Osage County,” “The Last Romance,” “Baskerville”) for Best Director of “Truth Be Told” at Curious Theatre Company; Max Silverman (CRT: “Steel Magnolias,” “The Royale,” “Baskerville”) received two nominations for Best Sound Design; and actor Torsten Hillhouse received a nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Play for “Misery” at Miners Alley Playhouse.
CRT is gearing up for their end of summer activities including the Headwaters New Play Festival which will kick off at the end of August. This year, the festival will include CRT’s 10-Minute Plays alongside a viewing of the Young Audience Outreach Tour: “Coyote and the Counting Game.”
“Coyote and the Counting Game’s” book and lyrics by Diana Grisanti and music by Emiliano Messiez.
“Eight-year-old Gaby is having a rough year. She’s failing math, her genius brother has just gone off to college, and her dad won’t buy her the drum set of her dreams. But when a crafty Coyote comes into her life, she discovers that she might be able to scheme her way out of her troubles. A modern-day trickster tale, full of fractions, rock ‘n’ roll, and good old-fashioned moral dilemmas.” The festival starts Aug. 30.
CRT will be celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2025 with plays, celebrations and much more. For up-to-date information and a full schedule of events, visit www.creederep.org.
