New non-profit fueled by generous and energetic crew
by Patty Unruh
Things have changed somewhat since Gilpin’s theatre group for young people held its first “Taste of Broadway” performance in September 2017. At that time, the group was the Gilpin Elementary Theatre Department, and the goal of the “Taste of Broadway” show was to raise funds for the elementary school’s budding performing arts program. Coordinators wanted an arts experience that was not just for secondary students, but for young children, as well.
The program had gotten off to a good start, and dozens of children were enrolled and loving their involvement. However, insurance concerns prompted school officials to suggest that the group become an entity separate from the school.
Accordingly, the theatre group re-formed in January 2018 as Peak to Peak Players, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, with its own board of directors, website, and insurance. The group is also beginning to consider filing for grants. Its members were able to use the school as the venue for its second “Taste of Broadway” event last Saturday, October 20.
The group’s website, peaktopeakplayers.com, states, “The mission of the Peak to Peak Players theatre company is to entertain, enrich, and inspire the rural mountain communities in the Peak to Peak region of Colorado by producing a wide variety of high-quality theatrical productions. Peak to Peak Players also fosters and develops the artistic talents of company members, community members, and local youth through participation and educational camps.”
Check the site to stay updated on details and to purchase tickets for the many exciting productions coming up.
Now, here’s a peek behind the curtain at the principal players of the organization.
Mark Ragan and his wife, Jamie Shaak Ragan, are the main donors. The Ragans moved to Gilpin County from Chicago three years ago to live in the mountains. Jamie grew up in Denver, and she and her mother have a piano studio in Denver. An able accompanist, Jamie played for several of the singers and musicians for “Taste of Broadway.”
When the Ragans arrived in Gilpin, they met Jacquelyn O’Brien, who was instrumental in the Gilpin Elementary Theatre program. The Ragans’ daughter Juliet took part in Annie Kids in November 2017.
“Jacquelyn and I bonded. We’re both theatre fanatics,” Mark laughs.
He and O’Brien founded Peak to Peak Players, along with Crystal Zeilbeck and Angela Hunt. The first project was a children’s show, Seussical, followed by Seusspeare: Meet the MacBeths. Wizard of Oz, a huge undertaking, was performed in August 2018 to about 600 patrons.
Mark shared some of his theatrical background. He began acting at age 15 in Chicago, when he did his first show, Oliver!
“I love theatre. I was always in a play for the next 17 years,” he relates.
He acted professionally and while working as a political reporter in Washington, D.C., covering the White House and Congress. He also started a Shakespeare company called the Rude Mechanicals, referring to a group of working class laborers/actors in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. At age 40, Mark auditioned for a part in a professional production of Romeo and Juliet, and to his surprise, got cast. Mark and Jamie’s daughters are even named after Shakespearean characters – Juliet, Kate, and Olivia.
As for Peak to Peak Players, Mark asserts, “Jacquelyn is the brains of the outfit.”
Jacquelyn O’Brien, board vice president and co-artistic director, is indeed a woman who wears many hats. She directs some productions, promotes, does program design, coordinates the silent auction, handles web artwork and content, and much more.
She has been drawn to the stage since she can remember, beginning her performing years in elementary school. Jacquelyn did not major in theatre in college, instead earning a B.A. in law and a Master’s in business administration. As an adult, she worked with a number of theatre companies in Missouri. When she moved to Gilpin, she loved her new mountain life, but missed having a local theatre company to work with. She and her friend Angela Hunt felt the need to start Peak to Peak Players.
Angela Hunt is co-artistic director and youth coordinator of Peak to Peak Players and holds a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Other valued members include Crystal Zeilbeck, board president, who was born with a love for theatre. She performed with children’s groups, took part in community theatre productions, was a member of the National Honors Thespian Society, and took voice lessons in college.
Board member Jocelyn Brown has a Ph.D. in theatre and is a playwright, director, conference speaker and author.
Misty Ebers teaches music at Gilpin County School and is the school liaison. She has directed seven middle school productions prior to coming to Gilpin.
Azure Hardy, board member and volunteer coordinator, is a writer and photographer and has enjoyed the performing arts from a young age.
Kris Icenogle, an Army veteran, is board treasurer and has been very involved as a volunteer at Gilpin Elementary School.
Kayce Harmsen is the costume coordinator.
“It’s a great team and board,” O’Brien says. “They are all volunteers, and they all contribute.”
The organization has several productions in the works. The Little Mermaid Jr. is coming on November 16-17, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will take place December 7-9 and December 15-16. Please see the website for details, along with the accompanying article in this edition of the Weekly Register-Call.
Mark Ragan will direct Romeo and Juliet, which will premiere in 2019 at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder and will also be performed in Central City, in the courtyard near the Central City Opera.
“It even has an ideal ‘Juliet’ balcony!” he exults.
Another volunteer is Chip Smith, a former music professor and the music director for next month’s performance of The Little Mermaid Jr. He says, “The Ragans are a generous couple, and Mark has been instrumental in the founding of Peak to Peak Players. This program is a monumental gift from them to bring theatre to the community.”
Smith added that the theatre program is good discipline for the kids, as they need to memorize lines, learn to sing together, and attend rehearsals. It’s also good for their socialization, confidence, and English usage.
The group has taken on many ambitious projects. However, with all of the members’ talent, energy, and dedication to the youth of Gilpin County, Peak to Peak Players is sure to be a hit!
