Telluride's Premier Performance and Special Events Venue
The Sheridan Arts Foundation was founded in 1991 as a 501©(3) non-profit organization to restore and preserve the Sheridan Opera House while bringing quality arts and entertainment to the town of Telluride. Since then, the Opera House has been a designated historic landmark by the Colorado Historic Society. In addition the SAF maintains a key focus of exposing youth to the arts in an effort to promote their awareness and appreciation. The Sheridan Opera House was built by the Telluride miners in 1913 as a Vaudeville Theater and cultural center, attracting variety shows, orchestras and touring theater companies. Performers from Lillian Gish and Sarah Bernhardt to Jimmy Buffet and James Taylor have graced our stage. Today this intimate 238 seat theater has become a non-profit venue featuring live theater, concerts, movies, and lectures. Special appearances have also been made by Keith, Robert, and David Carradine, Taj Mahal, Carol Burnett, Daryl Hannah, Christie Brinkley, Dudley Moore, Shawn Colvin, Patrick Stewart, Dr. John, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brian Dennehy, Sissy Spacek, Rickie Lee Jones, Billy Bob Thorton, Darlene Love and many more.
Hosting a special event? The Sheridan Opera House is available for rental. Click here for more info!
The Wild West Fest
A celebration of Western arts, culture and customs, the Wild West Fest (WWF) celebrated its 15th year in 2006! Each summer, the SAF brings local and national performers to Telluride as a week-long benefit for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The WWF rewards inner-city, disadvantaged youth from across the country by bringing them to Telluride for a week of cultural and educational activities. Working with caring, nurturing mentors in non-competitive Mentorship Programs in WWF C.A.M.P. (Chip Allen Mentorship Program), the youth learn through hands-on activities, gain new skills, and develop new friendships. Our diverse selection of Mentorship Programs includes Drama, Fly Fishing, Golf, Ranching, Songwriting and Trick Roping and Riding.
The Young People's Theater
The SAF's Young People's theater offers dramatic workshops and theater classes for children ages 3 to 18. This non-competitive, innovative, affordable program enrolls over 200 students annually. Our workshop offerings include classes in improvisational drama, preschool dramatic play, acting techniques, and performance workshops that culminate in productions of full length, musical plays. Some past performances include Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Treasure Island, Damn Yankees, Bugsy Malone, Anything Goes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease, and Peter Pan. The YPT is supported in part by the Telluride Foundation, the Commission for Community, Arts & Special Events (CCASE), and the Just for Kids Foundation.
Need more information about the Sheridan Arts Foundation and its programs? Please use the information listed below to contact the staff at your convenience.
Sheridan Arts Foundation
110 N. Oak
P.O. Box 2680
Telluride, Colorado 81435
telephone 970-728-6363
fax 970-728-6966
email info@sheridanoperahouse.com
www.sheridanoperahouse.com