all the worlds’ a stage,
y todos son bienvenidos
Due to current air quality conditions
we have decided to move our performances to indoor spaces for the health and safety of our community.
Shows begin at 6pm
MESSAGE FROM our new executive DIRECTOR
While planning my first theatrical ice show, someone suggested I ask Stuart Handloff—“the guy who does Shakespeare”—for help. I had a minuscule budget and little experience, but I needed spotlights.
Spotting Stuart at a community event, I followed him around until I found the right time to introduce myself and ask for help.
In the years that followed, this became our pattern. I’d pitch a wild idea, and he’d help make it a reality.
Together, we have produced three full-length theatre-on-ice shows and four children’s productions—in addition to Piknik Theatre’s seasonal performances.
Few know it, but Stuart has always donated his salary back to Piknik in order to keep programming open to the public. He truly believes the stage is for everyone, so he has refused to sell tickets to Piknik’s summer shows. It wasn’t always easy, but with small grants and private donations, we made it work.
In January of this year, Stuart asked me to step in and formally take over leadership of Piknik Theatre. I am honored to have the opportunity to see Piknik through its next phase of development, but I cannot do it alone.
For nearly two decades, Piknik has thrived on Stuart’s vision, passion, and sheer determination. But to truly flourish in this next chapter, we must expand our organizational capacity. That means investing in professional leadership—experienced actors, directors, and educators who can deepen the artistic impact of our work, mentor the next generation, and bring year-round programming to life in ways we’ve only dreamed of.
Running a professional theatre requires professional infrastructure. It’s the only way we can continue to create the kind of fearless, imaginative, community-centered work that Stuart championed from day one.
If Stuart’s work has ever moved you, made you laugh, inspired you—or reminded you of the power of storytelling under the open sky—now is the time to step up. Your support today is an investment in the future of the arts in Steamboat, and in a legacy built on generosity, creativity, and relentless belief in what’s possible.
Let’s build that future together.
– Celina
From Left: Josh Blanchard, Director of CO Creative Industries; Celina G. Taylor, Ex Director Piknik Theatre, and Stuart Handloff, founder Piknik Theatre **The Branham Amphitheatre was made possible by a CO Creative Ind Grant and community supporters like you.
Theatre is for everyone:
Our mission is to create professional and community-inclusive performing arts in the Yampa Valley, ensuring accessibility through free summer Shakespeare productions and community based theatrical workshops and classes. We value arts education and provide opportunities for our artists to teach workshops, engage with schools, and connect with audiences of all ages.
"Nuestra misión es crear artes escénicas profesionales e inclusivas en la comunidad del Valle de Yampa, asegurando la accesibilidad a través de producciones de verano gratuitas. Valoramos la educación artística y brindamos oportunidades para que nuestros artistas impartan talleres, se involucren con las escuelas y se conecten con audiencias de todas las edades."
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Welcoming a talented ensemble of professional actors hailing from diverse cultural backgrounds, our summer productions will transport patrons to the far corners of the globe. LEARN MORE
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In partnership with local schools and community organizations, we'll be integrating our performing arts curriculum into classrooms and mentorship programming across the region, sparking creativity and confidence in the next generation of artists and leaders. LEARN MORE
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We're also thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Branham Amphitheater in Strawberry Park, which will serve as a dynamic hub for performances and community celebrations that welcome 'everyone under the stage.' LEARN MORE