Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Season of Sharing – UpstART: Theater That Moves
Actor Ian Lassiter plays Othello and Elizabeth Mueller performed as Desdemona in UpstART's No Holds Bard production of "Othello" in August 2023. The production was directed by John Kissingford of Ouray, the cofounder of UpstART Theater. Photo courtesy UpstART Theater
Feature
November 29, 2023
Season of Sharing – UpstART: Theater That Moves

SEASON OF SHARING

Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer started publishing profiles of nonprofits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2020 as a community service.

The purpose of these profiles is to highlight the meaningful work being performed by these organizations and let the community know how they can help them even more, as the holidays approach and we reach the end of 2023. Nonprofit organizations that are based in Ouray County and serve Ouray County are eligible for these profiles. To participate, please email erin@ouraynews.com.

Year established as a nonprofit: 2015

What does your organization do for Ouray County?

UpstART creates professional, quality theater for Ouray Coun-ty audiences, by collaborating with artists from all over the country and combining them with local talent. UpstART seeks to awaken, enliven and entertain audiences with an intensity and excellence hard to find outside of metro areas. And our shows are fun – they move you – in pace, emotion and insight.

What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2023?

Audiences loved our production of “Othello,” with New York actor Ian Lassiter in the title role. They were thrilled by our collaboration with the Sherbino Theater for “Big Love.” They were mesmerized by our production of “Everybody” at the Wright Opera House.

What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2024?

We have “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” planned for performances in February, “Good People” in June and our “No Holds Bard” Shakespeare production in August (still to be determined, but I think we can promise you a comedy). We’ll have spectacular actors from all over the country and a guest director at one of the performances.

Tell us how the community can help you do more here in Ouray County.

We are always seeking hosts for our actors, so if you have an ADU or guest room and would like to get to know one of our extraordinary artists, please let us know! And of course we fundraise steadily to make these spectacular collaborations possible. We so appreciate your generosity. Visit upstartmoves. org to donate or get in touch.

Thank you to Steve Gallion for providing this information.

After hiatus, a rally for high school baseball in Ridgway
Main
After hiatus, a rally for high school baseball in Ridgway
Sporting nearly 30-year-old jerseys, pilot junior varsity team takes field, aims for long-term viability through fundraising
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 15, 2026
Ridgway High School’s 1997 baseball jerseys are having a comeback season this spring. The school’s new, pilot junior varsity baseball team is sporting them after a surprise discovery. The vintage unif...
this is a test
Main
Zero-waste policy draws public fire
Council tables proposal for compostable, recyclable materials over concerns from business owners, community groups
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 15, 2026
Ridgway town councilors tabled a draft “zero-waste” policy for events on town property after public backlash about how the rules would impact business owners and community groups. The proposal discuss...
this is a test
Main
Administrator sought info backing chief decision
Records: Officers concerned about training
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 15, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer sought input from neighboring law enforcement agencies about how they conduct background checks — after she decided not to hire Daric Harvey as the permanent ...
this is a test
Track and field returns to Grand Junction
News
Track and field returns to Grand Junction
April 15, 2026
this is a test
News
County renews water lease for fourth year
April 15, 2026
Ouray County commissioners signed off on an agreement Tuesday to lease and help pay for backup water to support the county’s irrigators for a fourth year. The lease secures a 2021 no-call agreement be...
this is a test
News
Ditch users, county at impasse about culvert
April 15, 2026
A group of ranchers from the West Arm Ditch Company is refusing Ouray County’s offer to reinstall a faulty culvert this year if the water users pay for the materials, saying they shouldn’t have to pay...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Sex assault trial delayed for third time
April 15, 2026
The trial for a man charged with sexually assaulting a then-17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has been postponed for a third time. Nate Dieffenderfer is now scheduled for an eight-day trial sta...
this is a test
News
Planned EV chargers move to Visitor Center
April 15, 2026
During an April 8 meeting, the Ridgway Town Council agreed to move a charging station planned for the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds to town property next to the Ridgway Visitor Center....
this is a test
News
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Padgett must put needs of county ahead of own
By Dear Editor: 
April 15, 2026
Dear Editor: There is a need to acknowledge the recent revelations at the special Ouray County Board of Commissioners meeting March 30, where Commissioner Lynn Padgett first denied, then admitted to s...
this is a test
News
Padgett’s health issues impact county functions
By Dear Editor: 
April 15, 2026
Dear Editor: I read with concern and consternation the lead article in the April 2-9 edition of the Plaindealer relating to the March 30 public Board of County Commissioners meeting that resulted in t...
this is a test
News
MTN Lodge shirking responsibilities to town
By Dear Editor: 
April 15, 2026
Dear Editor: The full page ad in the April 9-15 edition was interesting to me. In very large print we were given the town manager's email address, and told he and the Ridgway Town Council are out of l...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy