Telluride Theatre’s famous secret gala returns for the sixth year on Saturday, July 1st at 6pm. Each year, the theme and location are kept secret and only revealed after attendees purchase tickets.
Sasha Cucciniello, artistic director of the Telluride Theater, said the company is dropping hints about the theme and location leading up to the event. Previous themes have included Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, The Trip, Telluride Industries Retreat, Mountain Top Big Top and more.
A new theme is selected each year and the evening is built around it in every aspect of the experience.
Telluride Theater goes to great lengths to immerse the audience in the performance itself. In 2018, the gala was held on private property at the Alda Solo Ranch and took attendees to Wonderland. White Rabbit helped guide guests to various locations on the premises that offered interactive fun, performances, food and drink.
“This year’s theme is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Cucciniello. “We call the gala a one-night special because it is truly a unique and wonderful experience for all the spectators who attend.”
With dinner, immersive art, live music and hands-on theatre, there’s no shortage of entertainment in the evenings.
Cucciniello described the event as “all night long”.
Cucciniello said attendees can expect treasure hunts, video productions and lighting installations as examples of entertainment planned.
“Our cocktail hour is always an immersive exploration, whatever the theme,” she said. “Once the audience is seated for dinner, the show begins.”
According to Cucciniello, more than 30 people from the Telluride Theater community are involved in staging the event, adding, “I love creating and producing this event because it’s so different every year.”
Cucciniello said ticket sales were limited to 100 people to keep the event “intimate and fun.” The gala has sold out every year, but there were still a few tickets left at the time of writing this article.
With the motto “Keeping Telluride Weird,” Telluride Theater employs over 100 local artists, including performers, musicians, dancers, designers, visual artists and writers. The company presents six of his main stage productions throughout the year, covering the artistic spectrum from original productions to Shakespeare, burlesque to musicals.
Cucciniello said Telluride Theater aims to bring vibrancy and creativity to Telluride. The company is committed to the development of local performing arts through innovative productions, educational programs and community involvement. Telluride Theater touts itself as “a theater that lives in moments of true relationships, fosters joyful celebration, and is an open dialogue accessible to all audiences.”
The company offers a welcoming community that encourages participation from all walks of life, regardless of age, experience or other factors.
Telluride Theater educational programs include Books Alive, which promotes children’s literacy through interactive performances in collaboration with Wilkinson Public Library, to bring engaging and educational children’s plays to thousands of students in southwest Colorado Includes ACtion Tour, which is an original work, and high school and high school practice. Undergraduate.
“We live, work and breathe in art and performance,” said Cucciniello.
Upcoming Telluride Theater mainstage shows include the 33rd annual Shakespeare in the Park featuring the classic play “Hamlet” in July and “Cabaret” performances in December.
The gala is one of the Telluride Theater’s largest fundraising events and contributes a significant portion of the Telluride Theater’s annual budget to offset production costs and help pay for the talent of its artists.
“Gala is a great way to support local theater companies,” said Cucciniello.
Gala tickets can be purchased online. Telluride Theater.org.