Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell The faces of those who work behind the scenes of Creede Repertory Theatre share a passion and a love for the process of production and the desire to create an experience for the entire team at CRT.

CREEDE — When attending a performance at the world-renowned Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) it is sometimes hard to imagine the work that goes into each play. When you add the fact that the theatre is known for its repertory schedule, it is even harder to think of how much work goes into the organization of the productions and how on earth they pull off award-winning plays every season.

CRT Director John DiAntonio as well as staff and cast members gave an extensive interview that not only pulled back the curtain and let the behind-the-scenes crew shine but also rolled out the red carpet and opened doors to the public that usually are shut.

Many steps must be taken to prepare a production for the stage. Everything from countless hours rehearsing scripts to perfecting lighting cues and electrical connections to preparing costumes, props and so much more. The theatre relies heavily on its backstage crew to make the magic become exactly that, magic. 

One of the most important pieces to a great production comes from above, below, and all around and it's something many audiences never think twice about while they are engrossed with what is happening on stage, but it is something Lighting Manager Willow McGinty loves to create. This will be the third season McGinty has worked for CRT.

“I started in high school and at first was just an electrician for theatres but then when I was going to college in Denver, I heard about Creede. Working here is great because you feel like you're part of a community within a community and though I feel like we are waiting to see what the audiences will be like post-pandemic, I am really looking forward to the impactful and powerful productions here at CRT,” said McGinty.

The love McGinty has for the electrical part of backstage work shows in each production. Lights are programmed to help cue cast members, show emotion, sync with the musical accompaniment and much more.

“Most of the time when we do a good job, people don’t notice. It takes a community to put on a show and one to keep it going,” McGinty said.

Marcus Carroll is beginning his first year with CRT as the Production Stage Manager for "Native Gardens" and "Always… Patsy Cline."

Stage managers act as the hub of the community wheel behind the stage at CRT and make sure that lines of communication are clear between each department.

“I had known about Creede for a few years and after being in the theatre scene in Chicago for several years and looking for work, Creede jumped out and I figured why not,” explained Carroll.

Carroll felt it was kind of meant to be seeing as he had passed through Creede while hiking the Continental Divide Trail a few years prior and though he hadn’t spent too much time in Colorado, it didn’t come as much of a shock to come and live in the rural mountain town.

“After I visited, I decided to apply again and here I am. Sometimes I wake up and can’t believe I’m here,” Carroll said.

In his off time as production stage manager, Carroll enjoys being able to socialize with fellow staff members and loves being able to just walk to work.

“In places, like Chicago, you have to plan to be social because everyone is so busy. Here, it's completely different," he said.

Even though this is his first-time doing repertory theatre, Carroll has embraced the challenge and is looking forward to the season.

“My job is to track the progress, technical and artistic elements of a chow and to maintain it throughout the season-long run,” he said.

Erin Lavespere is the Costume Manager for "Steele Magnolias" and "Sherwood" this season and gets involved in the process of creating a production long before most of the other backstage crew does.

“I start by reading the script and getting to know the characters. I work with the director’s vision of what each character looks like or how they may change throughout a show and work from there. I do research on specific time frames and specific places and use it to create the costumes,” explained Lavespere.

This is the first year Lavpene has been with CRT and is also her first time in Colorado.

“I spent time in other rural communities. One was a tiny town on an island off the coast of Maine and let me tell you about rural,” laughed Lavespere. “Here at CRT though the company interacts differently than other places I’ve been. The people I work with are easygoing and more cheerful. It’s just more personable.”

Lavespere is excited and terrified of the coming season but knows that above all, this has been a cohesive and fun experience and one she will never forget.

Fellow Costume Designer Rossina Lozoya is more than happy in her new role and looks back to what brought her to Creede.

“When I was in school, I didn't even know costume design was an option. I started out in graphic design, and I was miserable. One of my professors could tell. He pointed to a stage in the Theatre Department and said, 'Those are your people,' and he was right. I didn't even know how to sew at the time."

Lozoya is excited for the coming season and one particular production for sure.

“I'm very excited about 'Native Gardens' because we'll have three Latina women involved in the process, the director, our scenic designer and myself. It's important to have the voices onstage backed by the people creating the story. It makes a difference," she said.

The Assistant Stage Manager for the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre, Olivia Zapater-Charrette knows how important the role she holds is and how important it is to be organized while keeping communications rolling during production.

“You really have to see the big picture and be aware of everything all at once. You know the script, all the movements of actors, all of the costume changes and props. It is such a joy to be the one who knows everything. The nitty-gritty of it is knowing when people need you and being there when they do,” said Zapater-Charrette.

Not only does Zapater-Charrette know everything there is to know about the production, but she also takes the time to know the people she is working with as well.

“Stage managers take on the support of all the people and make sure it is a positive space and positive environment and help is all ways possible,” she said.

Though she wasn’t particularly prepared for her first season at CRT, her second season this year was a lot better.

“I came much better prepared this year than last time I was here, and I am so thankful to my mom for taking me to Costco before we came up,” laughed Zapater-Charrette. “Even though I was nervous, I received a warm welcome. People are so warm and supportive, and it comes from every direction.”

Willhelm Peters is also experiencing Creede for his first year and also came from Chicago.

“I started out as an actor and then a friend of mine suggested I try to be a stage manager and that was 14 years ago. In the spring, I came to Creede and it wasn’t too much of a change for me but driving here was interesting. My job here is to take care of all the people. Cast members, backstage members, designers, all of them. I imagine myself as a host of a party and that while we are all in the same room, everyone feels included,” Peters said.

It was the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) program at CRT that brought Peters to Creede.

“I had never felt supported so completely in a very long time. CRT had the most descriptive and enlightening EDI program and that is what brought me here. What was nice was that they also fulfilled their promise to be inclusive and it has been amazing. I’ve been here 30 days and I have friends,” he said.

Peters is the stage manager for "Sherwood," "Steele Magnolias" and "The Royale."

“Our backstage crew works really hard to bring productions to life. They are real people with real lives that are making this happen. What you are seeing as audience members is just the surface and our relationship with you starts when you walk in the door,” Peters said.

The 57th season at CRT kicked off on Sunday, May 29, and is packed with fun, thrilling and inventive shows. For more information, visit www.creederep.org.