Our Process
The Magic of theater, months in the making
Every production at Coal Creek Theater of Louisville is the result of months of collaboration and dedication, from the first spark of an idea to the excitement of opening night. Community theater thrives on the magic created when dedicated people come together, each playing a vital role in bringing stories to life. Together, we make it happen—and make it unforgettable.
1. Selecting Our Season
The Coal Creek Theater of Louisville Play Selection Committee reads a minimum of 30 plays to find a season, in order to curate the best quality season for seasoned theatergoers and new guests. This selection is then narrowed down, bit by bit, until we have 3-6 shows. This final selection is then presented to the Board of Directors for approval. This process continues until a final season is ratified.
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Front Range Playwrights Showcase
The Front Range Playwrights Showcase Play Selection Committee is a group of virtuosos who read new home grown writings of Colorado playwrights for the biannual Front Range Playwright's Showcase. Submissions are read in a very small window of time, are narrowed down to 3-5 plays, and are presented to the Board of Directors for final approval.
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Virtual Play Reading
The Virtual Play Selection Committee is a separate play reading committee who read the writings of playwrights from many years of submissions. While not all plays can make it into our season lineup, some submissions resonate so strongly with us that we simply can’t let them go unnoticed. Final selections are then approved by the Board of Directors, ensuring a diverse range of productions for our audience to enjoy. Selections are then approved by the Board of Directors.
2. Selecting Our Team
Production Crew
Directors, stage managers and technicans for productions are chosen by our selection committees. Persons interested should read the CCTL By-Laws and contact our Artistic Director.
Auditions
Auditions for Coal Creek Theater of Louisville productions are announced on our website and other, relevant audition boards. Audition slots are based on a first-come, first-serve basis.
3. Rehearsals
This is where the magic happens. Our casts, much like our team and our Board of Directors, are composed completely of volunteers who have jobs, families and other commitments outside of the theater. With that in mind, our rehearsals occur primarily in the evenings and on weekends, and we do our best to accommodate scheduling conflicts and important, non-negotiable commitments.
The entire rehearsal process is done without a set until six days before opening. This is because…
4. “Hell Week”
… in order to accommodate the many incredible events occurring at the Louisville Center for the Arts, we at Coal Creek Theater of Louisville build our sets less than one week before the show opens. Therefore, all of the moving pieces of the production in question - sound and lighting design, set design, costuming, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals - come together within a six day period. In the theater world, this is commonly known as “Hell Week” (and boy do we know it).
It is a challenge for the entire crew, designers and cast. Our dedicated and incredibly talented community of volunteers have succeeded in producing theater within this compressed timeline for decades.
5. The Show Opens
Without you, live theater is just a rehearsal. Your energy, laughter, and applause bring our stories to life, and we’re proud to have shared those moments with the best audiences Colorado has to offer. For over 30 years, Coal Creek Theater of Louisville has been privileged to witness the magic that only happens when performers and audiences come together. Be part of that magic—join us for our next show and experience the power of live theater firsthand.
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The Stage is set,
Don’t Miss Your Cue
Looking for an unforgettable night out? Grab your tickets to Coal Creek Theater of Louisville and enjoy a lineup of captivating performances, from heart-pounding dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies. Experience live theater at its best!