Telluride Theatre & Museum Present “High History”

17 Mar Telluride Theatre & Museum Present “High History”

Telluride Theatre presents “High History,” a collaboration with the Telluride Museum. Stream online March 17 – 21 @ 7 p.m. Tickets: one viewer on one device – $20; two viewers on one device – $35; three viewers or more on one device – $55. The show is for ages 17+ only. Tickets are available at www.telluridetheatre.org.

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Go here for more about Telluride Theatre. Coverage dates back to 2009.

“This is a great show for anyone who loves Telluride. Learn about the town you love and get to know our colorful history ,”  Telluride Theatre’s artistic director, Sasha Sullivan, said.

In collaboration with the Telluride Historical Museum, “High History” breathes new, hilarious life into Telluride’s vibrant, rich past as CHARACTER 1 and CHARACTER 2 get high and go back in time to visit Telluride’s most notable, notorious, unusual and wacky characters.

“History is made high up in these mountains from the weird to the wild, the freaky to the fun,” added Sullivan, who directed the show. “Learn about your favorite town, a place we all like to get high in one way or another.”

The show features characters and influencers such as Lon Remine, LL Nunn; Alice Elliot, Big Billie; and Franny Patricio.

“There are so many amazing characters who have lived in Telluride throughout the years ” Sasha explained. “For this show we have featured a few special individuals. And we added a few fun, made-up characters as well.”

Taking a trip back in time and writing a history-based show was challenging, fun and enlightening, Sasha went on to say:

“I have had so much fun writing and creating. Writing a history play is really hard because I have to keep going back to the books to fact check. Turns out 95% of what is in the play is historically accurate!”

This isn’t the first play Sasha has written about Telluride’s robust history.

“In 2010, Colin and I wrote a history play in collaboration with the Telluride Historical Museum titled ‘Inaccurate Reenactments.’ We read over 10 books, did a ton of research and just immersed ourselves in it over the course of a year. I became obsessed!”

Sasha and Colin also wrote “Cops, Crimes and Criminals” and “Women in their Words,” both for the Telluride Historical Museum:

“The people who have lived here over the years have made Telluride what it is and place has always fascinated me. There is so much depth and character and story in this valley,” Sasha added.

This is the second filmed show written, filmed and produced by Telluride Theatre to help keep theatre, entertainment and genuine human connection alive during COVID-19.

“Filming has been a blast,” Sassha said. “Our car is a mobile production unit filled with props, costumes and set stuff. And I get to work with one of my dearest friends in the world, Alexei Kaleina, Telluride Theatre’s resident filmmaker.”

Throughout the pandemic, Telluride Theatre has stood strong and continued to create, bringing shows to audiences in any way possible.

“As a small non-profit, we had a choice when COVID-19 hit: we could either roll over, give up and stop working, or we could innovate and continue,” Sasha explained. “We chose resilience and perseverance. We chose to show up and fight on and create work. This has been the most challenging year of my professional career, but we know it is so important to make work for our community and with our community. Our artists want to work, and it has helped all of us have a glimmer of hope, stay connected and provide happiness and entertainment.”

In addition to buying tickets, audiences and Telluride residents can show their support by donating or becoming a Telluride Theatre member.

“Become a member! Donating even $20 will help us survive and thrive beyond the pandemic,” Sasha added. “We are always looking for new, great volunteers to get involved. And if you have anything to donate to our Gala auction (that’s my next big job) that is always a great way to give.”