Company History
In 1973, 5 members of the ‘Thieves’ Carnival’ cast sat at a picnic table in Fort Collins’ City Park deliberating on a name for the new theatre company that was producing the play. Their selection of OpenStage Theatre & Company denoted a great deal more than the simple fact the troupe would be performing outside The name also signified—and continues to signify—an openness to style and genre, concepts and ideas, and philosophical relationships with the individual artist and the community as a whole. OpenStage has been actively producing and promoting live performing arts for 50 years, making it one of the longest-practicing, and indeed, one of the most prolific theatrical producers in Colorado. From its inception, OpenStage has woven into its philosophy and purpose the enrichment of its community through the creation of shared experiences between audience and artist. 50 years later, the city is heralded as an arts town, and the City of Fort Collins, which received the 2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, has embraced arts and culture as a hallmark of its identity.
Mission
OpenStage Theatre & Company’s mission is to provide exceptional live theatre that captivates the heart and mind.
Core Values
Generosity of Spirit. We are committed to enriching the lives of our audience and to broadening the breadth and understanding of our community by sharing the power of live theatre.
Excellence Driven. We believe in creating a quality professional theatrical experience that is inspiring, challenging, transformational, entertaining, exciting, and distinctive.
Customer-Focused. We believe in responsiveness to our audience, serving a broad socio-economic base, and engaging our audience with innovative, relevant, and authentic theatrical creations.
Esprit de Corps. We believe a professionally oriented theatre is vital to the creation of an exceptional artistic product. We are dedicated to creating a culture where artists are empowered to take the risks necessary to keep theatre vital and dynamic and to compensate them for their phenomenal contributions.
Future-Oriented. We believe theatrical experiences are a dynamic and powerful means of helping young people develop a personal sense of self and an understanding of their relationship and responsibility to the larger community.
Vision
OpenStage Theatre & Company will be a successful regional arts producer that consistently delivers magical and transforming experiences.
Our Philosophy
OpenStage Theatre & Company has been dedicated to capturing the Hearts and Minds of Northern Colorado Audiences since 1973. Our name embraces our essence, as we are open to ideas, genres, and the future. The Soul of OpenStage, and its greatest resource, is its Artists. We make no distinction between directors, designers, actors, and technicians—they are all Theatre Artists passionate about creating magical and transforming experiences, and each is a valued member of the OpenStage Ensemble Family of Artists. If our Artists are our Soul, the Audience is our Heart. They are the Lifeblood of our Art. Theatre exists only in that singular moment created together by Artists and Audiences. This communion—this sharing in the power of theatrical story—gives Breath to compassion and understanding, and ultimately, creates a larger community where differences are embraced and conflicts are resolved with civility and tolerance.
50th Hallmarks
1973 Presents first show, Thieves’ Carnival by Jean Anouilh, in Fort Collins City Park
1978 Presents first full Season
Fall 1979 First show in Fort Collins Lincoln Center, The Lion In Winter by James Goldman
1997 Receives the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts
1999 First OpenStage etcetera production
2000 Receives Colorado Community Theatre Coalition’s Distinguished Merit Award
2001 Became a Member of Theatre Communications Group, the national association of not-for-profit professional theatres
2003 Bruce and Denise Freestone received the Tree of Peace Medallion from Arts Alive Fort Collins
2007 Received the Arlene Nededog Multicultural Award
2009 Instrumental in the creation of the Backstage Cooperative Arts Warehouse, funded by Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority
2011 Receives Colorado Henry Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre
2011 Denise Freestone named Woman of Distinction from BizWest
2012 Denise Freestone named Colorado Woman of Influence
2017 Receives Colorado Henry Award for Outstanding Season, Director, Actress and Actor
2018 Denise Freestone named inaugural Her Legacy recipient
