CREEDE —There are many pieces to the puzzle of putting a production together. The process that Creede Repertory Theatre utilizes to bring its plays to life is no exception.  It could be said that each production takes a journey of its’ own.

The process begins during the theatre’s post-season (August- September). During that time, both CRT Production Manager Jacob Bannerman and Artistic Director, Jessica Jackson both make play selections and plan for the upcoming season.

Next to come, the budget and designer selection (October- December). This is when the directors and designers for the next set of productions are hired. Meetings to hire the cast and the rest of the set and design personnel soon follow. The CRT Production Department consists of seven different teams that oversee stage management, scenes, props, lighting, sound, costumes and wardrobe.

Bannerman has noted “When hiring the production staff, there are two main themes a production manager keeps in mind: Will this person work well within the current culture of the company and does this person have the skills to succeed within this environment?  This is also the phase where designs start to take shape, both in ways you expect and ways that surprise you.”

With the arrival of April comes the pre-season preparations. This includes the preparation of the set and costume shops. The goal of this phase is to eliminate as many potential problems as possible.

After all the behind-the-scenes work is done it is finally time for the productions to go on stage.  During the summer or peak season, the entire CRT team is hard at work from the first lights going up until the last production’s final bows are taken. While the above elements are only a snapshot of what goes into CRT play, there is no shortage of attention and effort that goes into each story that is brought to a little stage that sits high in the San Juan Mountains.