Steel City Theatre Company warns it may close after 17 years

PUEBLO, Colo. — Steel City Theatre Company (SCTC), a longtime pillar of Pueblo’s arts community, says it is now facing the possibility of shutting its doors for the first time in 17 years due to severe financial strain.

The nonprofit theatre — which says it's known for filling the arts-education gap left after Pueblo School District 60 cut certain theater and arts programs — announced an emergency “SOS Meeting” that was held on Tuesday.

For years, SCTC says it has served as a creative outlet for local children, families, and performers, providing arts, culture, and emotional development opportunities that many say have been lost in the public school system.

The meeting was a call for actors, parents, students, and community members to help determine whether SCTC can survive.

KRDO spoke with management about what led to the financial crisis and what it will take to keep the stage lights on.

Andrea Garrett, the managing director at the theatre, says it's more than covering costs.

"Many people do not know that we have this space; this is one of the biggest challenges, and what I hope to get across is that we're here, we have a space for you," said Garrett.

For many families, this theatre is more than a stage. It’s a safe space, a community hub-- all in a city they feel is often overlooked and underfunded; it’s a rare place for kids to grow.

"This is the biggest hidden gem in all of Pueblo, and I would even say in Southern Colorado," said Rigel Meketa, a fellow actor at the theatre. All his children also perform at the theatre, he says.

During their meeting on Tuesday, the theatre community brainstormed funding ideas, including the ones for their fundraiser dubbed "10 for the Win." To donate, click here.

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