Creede Repertory announces 61st season, names new development director

Theater’s 2026 lineup celebrates everyday workers with theme “All in a Day’s Work”

Creede Repertory Theatre has announced its 61st season for 2026 with a lineup themed “All in a Day’s Work,” plus the hiring of Mallory Pierce as Director of Development.

CRT’s 61st season will open May 23 with all main shows opening before the end of June, giving audiences maximum flexibility to see multiple productions.

The season kicks off with Fully Committed by Becky Mode in the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre. The one-person comedy follows Sam, a struggling actor who must juggle 40 characters while answering the reservation line at one of New York City’s most exclusive restaurants over the course of a single chaotic day.

Opening the historic Mainstage Theatre on May 30 is the musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin. The show follows six quirky middle-schoolers competing in a high-stakes regional spelling bee, with improvisational elements and audience participation. Artistic Director Emily Van Fleet will direct.

In honor of Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood, CRT will present Working: A Musical in the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre. The show, adapted by Nina Faso and Stephen Schwartz from the book by Studs Terkel, features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor and others celebrating everyday workers. The production will be tailored to reflect the unique voices of Creede and the surrounding region, incorporating local stories and trades. Jenni Harbour, CRT’s Director of Education and Outreach, will direct. Working opens June 20.

The second Mainstage production is Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure by Ken Ludwig. The mystery follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they battle criminal mastermind Professor James Moriarty in a high-stakes chase filled with disguises, danger and Ludwig’s signature wit. Moriarty opens June 27.

“Our 2026 season celebrates the humor, hustle and heart of the people who keep our communities going — one day, one job, one story at a time,” Van Fleet said of the season’s theme.

Additional offerings include Boomtown! Improv comedy returning for its 20th season on Sundays at 7 p.m. at The Ruth, and CRT will hold its biennial Gala celebration on Aug. 14.

Education programs

CRT Education continues its programs serving over 35,000 students annually, including the 24th annual KID Show, which provides students the opportunity to create an original play in a professional environment. This year’s program is called Eureka! Stories of Discovery, with students collaborating with Dragoncillo Puppet Troupe to create original stories exploring the magic of discovery using hand and shadow puppet techniques.

The Young Audience Outreach Tour will present its 43rd production with ¡Dale, Dale, Dale! by Alebrije Writers Collective with music by Deborah Wicks la Puma. The tour brings original bilingual musicals to students from pre-K through sixth grade across Colorado and the Southwestern U.S. Additional offerings include day camps for all ages.

New development director

Pierce joins CRT after serving as Director of Development for Mohonk Preserve in New York, where she led a successful $5.1 million capital campaign and managed a department raising over $2.4 million annually for land conservation and education initiatives.

Mallory Pierce

Her nonprofit career spans more than three decades, including 27 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, where she held various leadership positions including Director of Membership, Director of Development and Director of Marketing and Communications. Prior to OSF, she worked in Washington, D.C., at Washington Project for the Arts, Arena Stage and Very Special Arts.

“Mallory brings with her a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations and community partnerships,” Van Fleet said. “Her expertise, warmth and strategic insight make her an incredible addition to the CRT team and to our Creede community. She’s already helping us build a strong foundation for CRT’s next 60 years.”

Pierce holds a B.A. in Theatre Management from the University of Maryland and has been an active volunteer in arts, education and conservation causes.

“I have admired CRT and the community for many years, first as a theatre colleague and then as an audience member,” Pierce said. “Joining the company is a dream come true. I am deeply honored to serve this theatre in this place.”

Flex Passes for the 2026 season are currently on sale and will offer pass holders an exclusive booking window beginning in January before single tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb. 3. For tickets, information or to purchase 2026 Flex and Red Carpet VIP passes, visit creederep.org, call the box office at (719) 658-2540 or email boxoffice@creederep.com.

Founded in 1966, Creede Repertory Theatre is a professional theater company located at 9,000 feet of elevation in the historic town of Creede, which offers beautiful mountain views, hiking trails and stunning campsites in a county comprising 97 percent public land.