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.

Ridgway to grow capacity to fight wildland fires
Main, News...
Ridgway to grow capacity to fight wildland fires
Additional staff, engine can enhance skills, create more revenue
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
December 3, 2025
Ridgway’s wildland firefighters have mopped up hotspots in Nevada, fought wildfire on the front lines in California and protected structures at home in Colorado. Since the Ridgway Fire Protection Dist...
this is a test
Main, News...
County chops event center operations to aid budget
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
December 3, 2025
Ouray County is performing triage on its 2026 budget as 2025 revenues are coming in lower than expected, placing even more pressure on the county’s general fund savings. County leaders have been worki...
this is a test
New council’s first task: Fill vacancies
News
New council’s first task: Fill vacancies
After soliciting applications, councilors to interview, pick appointments Jan. 5
December 3, 2025
Ouray city leaders swore in a new mayor and city councilor Monday night, then turned their attention to the council’s most pressing issue: Finding and appointing two more councilors to fill out the ra...
this is a test
News
Slow start to snow season
Wave of storms helps, but snowpack in San Juans well below normal
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
December 3, 2025
A series of post-Thanksgiving storms delivered desperately needed snow to the moisture-starved San Juans, but snowpack at the start of December remains well below average in Ouray County and the surro...
this is a test
News
SEASON OF SHARING
Ridgway Ouray Community Council
December 3, 2025
Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...
this is a test
News
Snowpack lagging in San Juans
December 3, 2025
A recent series of storms helped boost the paltry snowpack in the San Juans, but the amount of water in that snowpack in the Gunnison River Basin — known as snow-water equivalent — is still among the ...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
‘Timeout’ for Padgett sends bad message
By Dear Editor: 
December 3, 2025
We don’t put women in timeout; we put children in timeout. When you put a woman in timeout, you are putting her voice in timeout; telling her to go be quiet and that she should be seen and not heard. ...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Nauer’s ‘timeout’ idea is a non-starter
By Dear Editor: 
December 3, 2025
Had I not participated in scores of Ouray County Board of County Commissioners' and Planning Commission meetings, that Commissioner Lynn Padgett was elected or appointed to, I may have felt differentl...
this is a test
Spotlight on the Arts: The First Little Free Art Gallery in Ridgway
Feature
Spotlight on the Arts: The First Little Free Art Gallery in Ridgway
By By Ariel Hessler Special to the Plaindealer 
December 3, 2025
Inside Karen and Floyd Day’s home, the walls are covered in art. Both Karen and Floyd are longtime artists, and the walls of their home show the evidence. Large and colorful abstract depicting horses,...
this is a test
New era launches for Ouray basketball
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
New era launches for Ouray basketball
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
December 3, 2025
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Ouray High School hosted its “Meet the Trojans” night, akin to a college's Midnight Madness event to celebrate the start of basketball season. On a night with at least...
this is a test
Ouray County Performing Arts Guild
Feature
SEASON OF SHARING
Ouray County Performing Arts Guild
December 3, 2025
Year established as a nonprofit: 1983 What does your organization do for Ouray County? For more than 40 years, the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild has brought the high quality live music and perfor...
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