Why Supporting Live Theatre in Grand Junction Matters

Every time the curtain rises at The Theatre Project of Grand Junction, something extraordinary happens: community comes alive. Our productions aren’t just performances—they’re invitations to connect, reflect, and celebrate the stories that shape us. Whether you’re cheering on a friend in a local cast or discovering the magic of musical theatre for the first time, your presence in the audience helps sustain something deeply valuable: a thriving, inclusive arts community in Western Colorado.

A Theatre Made by and for the Community

Founded in 2007 under the umbrella of Creative Avenues, The Theatre Project began as a youth theatre initiative designed to give local kids a stage. In 2017, it became an independent nonprofit—The Theatre Project of Grand Junction—committed to fostering creativity, community, and access to the arts for all ages.

Over the years, The Theatre Project has evolved into one of the Grand Valley’s most active cultural institutions. We stage full-scale musicals and plays featuring actors of all ages and experience levels—from elementary students discovering theatre for the first time to seasoned adults returning for their tenth show.

Timeline of Growth

• 2007: Youth theatre programs launched under Creative Avenues
• 2013: First community-wide musical production included adult performers
• 2017: Incorporated as a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• 2019: Launch of the Stages Youth Program, offering full-length junior productions
• 2021: Pandemic-era performances resume with outdoor and limited-capacity events
• 2022: Return to the Avalon Theatre marked by Beauty and the Beast, which opened April 22, 2022, paving the way for continued productions like Seussical (2024 and 2025) and James and the Giant Peach (2025)
• 2025: Largest season yet, featuring nine mainstage shows and five youth productions

Why Local Theatre Is Worth Supporting

Why Ticket Prices Are Increasing

We’ve worked hard to keep our ticket prices among the most affordable in the region. But in order to sustain the quality and accessibility of our productions, we modestly raised our prices recently. This adjustment helps us respond to rising costs in materials, venue rentals, licensing fees, and staff support. For example, licensing for an average kid show runs $2,000, while mainstage shows like Sound of Music and Mary Poppins cost close to $10,000 each. Add to that the space rental for the Avalon of $13,000 for 4 days or The Asteria of $19,000, and $30 for an adult admission doesn’t seem like too much. The increase also allows us to:

• Provide fair stipends for directors, choreographers, musicians, and tech crews
• Expand scholarships for youth programs and summer camps
• Invest in better sound, lighting, and set design for a more immersive experience
• Keep offering free or low-cost outreach performances in schools and public spaces

Even with this change, our tickets remain far more affordable than most live theatre in the region. Every dollar goes directly back into local talent, youth education, and community storytelling. We thank you for continuing to support accessible, high-quality theatre in the Grand Valley.

• Access to the arts: With school arts programs dwindling, our shows and camps provide essential creative outlets for young people in the Grand Valley.
• Affordable family entertainment: Our ticket prices are intentionally kept low so that families of all backgrounds can experience the joy of live performance together.
• Economic impact: From set designers to downtown restaurants, our productions support dozens of local businesses and artists with every show.
• Community building: Each rehearsal and performance brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in an environment of collaboration and mutual respect.

Educational Impact: Filling the Gap

Through its Stages Youth Theatre Program, The Theatre Project offers tiered classes for youth ages 6–18—with scholarship options ensuring affordability. Its Outreach Tour visits schools for free, live performances, allowing all Mesa County students access to theatre arts.

Participants don’t just learn performance skills—they build confidence, communication, and resilience. Parents consistently report improvements in their children’s self-esteem, teamwork abilities, and emotional expression after being involved in a production.

Many students return as mentors, tech assistants, and leaders in youth-led productions, gaining valuable hands-on experience in collaboration and leadership that extends far beyond the stage.

Economic Ripple Effects in Grand Junction

Each Theatre Project production brings direct and indirect economic benefits to the Grand Valley. Consider the following:

• Local venue rentals—including frequent use of the Avalon Theatre, a downtown cultural hub
• Artist stipends paid to designers, musicians, choreographers, and technicians
• Increased foot traffic to nearby restaurants and shops on performance nights
• Partnerships with local schools and organizations who co-sponsor camps and shows
• Volunteering and workforce training for teens and adults alike, many of whom go on to work in education, hospitality, or design

Grand Junction civic leaders—including GJEP, the Chamber of Commerce, and Colorado Mesa University—have affirmed the arts as a major pillar of long-term economic growth and tourism. With projects like CMU’s new Asteria Theatre and initiatives like Theatre in the Park, the region is doubling down on arts access and cultural development.

Recent Performance Highlights

Here are just a few of the productions we’ve proudly brought to the stage:

• Almost, Maine – A moving winter play about love and loss in a small town
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – A riotous comedy with improv moments and audience participation
• James and the Giant Peach – A visually stunning musical adventure for all ages
• Seussical™ – A colorful, energetic favorite that delighted families in early 2024
• Beetlejuice Jr. and Finding Nemo Jr. – Two Stages productions that gave dozens of kids the chance to shine
• Little Women – The Marisha Chamberlain adaptation, praised for its depth and emotional performances
• Upcoming: Nunsense, Much Ado (1920s version), Sweeney Todd, and Mary Poppins at the Avalon

Landmark Productions That Shaped Our Story

Here are select milestones that stand out in The Theatre Project’s evolution—each representing a moment when our ambition, audience engagement, or business partnerships took a step forward.

• 2022 – Beauty and the Beast: Marked our return to the Avalon Theatre with a highly anticipated opening on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 7:00 PM MST, signaling the renewal of downtown theatre activities.
• 2024 – Seussical™: Performed in February 2024 at the Grand Junction High School, this production became a vibrant family favorite and helped solidify our connection to the community.
• 2025 – Seussical™: Returned to the Avalon Theatre with three performances on April 25–26, 2025, demonstrating sustained popularity as a cornerstone family show.
• 2025 – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee & James and the Giant Peach: Both showed at The Art Center of Western Colorado in spring 2025—with the Bee running April 11–13 and Peach April 25–26—attracting large, nearly sold‑out audiences.
• 2024 – Seusspeare: Hamlet Hears a Who: Presented as a free Theatre in the Park event at Lincoln Park on September 7, 2024, in collaboration with The City of Grand Junction—an innovative way to bring theatre into public spaces.

These productions reflect the artistic growth of our company, the expansion of our youth programs, and deeper public engagement through both indoor theatrical and community outdoor events.

How Donors Shape Our Stage

Every set piece, spotlight, and scholarship at The Theatre Project is made possible by generous community donors. While our ticket prices remain low to keep performances accessible, donations cover essential costs—from lighting and sound to scholarships and costumes.

In recent seasons, donor support has enabled:

• Camp scholarships for families with financial need
• New microphone rentals for youth performances
• Custom set builds for shows like James and the Giant Peach
• Costume design and props for mainstage musicals
• Support for youth-led productions and backstage learning

The impact of these gifts goes far beyond the stage. They give a child their first solo. A teen their first leadership opportunity. A family their first shared night of laughter in months.

Monthly donors provide the consistency needed to plan each season with confidence—making it possible to welcome more families, take creative risks, and say yes to inclusion and opportunity.

Become a Donor Today →

Live Theatre: A Perfect Weekend in Grand Junction

Looking for something memorable to do in Grand Junction this weekend? Skip the screen time and experience the electric energy of live performance. Located just minutes from Main Street, The Theatre Project’s performances offer a perfect blend of culture, entertainment, and community spirit. It’s a great date night, a fun family outing, or a meaningful way to support a friend or student on stage.

Plus, with frequent weekend and evening showtimes, you can make a whole night of it: grab dinner downtown, stroll past local art murals, and then settle in for an unforgettable show. We promise—you’ll leave inspired.

How You Can Help

• Make a tax-deductible donation to help fund future productions and scholarships.
• Buy tickets to our current season lineup.
• Follow us on social media to see behind-the-scenes content and show announcements.
• Invite a friend, bring your kids, or gift tickets to a neighbor—it all helps grow our audience and our impact.

What’s Next for The Theatre Project?

As we look ahead, The Theatre Project is exploring new ways to grow our impact—with expanded partnerships, more youth leadership, and deeper community engagement.

• Broader School Outreach: We aim to grow our free school performances to reach more rural and alternative programs across Mesa County.
• New Works: We’re open to conversations about ways to support original plays and stories from local voices.
• Youth Tech Mentorship: We are proud to mentor students interested in set design, stage management, and backstage roles.
• Annual Outdoor Theatre: After the success of Seusspeare, we’re committed to producing one free, family-friendly show in a public space each year.

Through it all, our goal remains the same: to make theatre accessible, relevant, and joyful for everyone. We hope you’ll be part of what’s next.

Join Us This Season

The Theatre Project’s 2025 season is our most ambitious yet—with musicals, dramas, comedies, and junior productions that offer something for every age and interest. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly matinee, an edgy evening thriller, or your child’s first time on stage, we’ve got a seat for you.

See What’s Playing Now →

The Theatre Project of Grand Junction is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding access to the performing arts across the Western Slope. Every ticket purchased and every donation made goes directly toward production costs, artist stipends, and student scholarships.