Queer VOICES

VOICES theater company premiers “A Green Bird on Orange Trees,” at The Arts Campus at Willits (better known as TACAW) on Oct. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. This production brings stories from seven local queer artists to the stage with live music, spoken word and movement.

According to the VOICES’ website, the creation of this production came from each artist unraveling hidden fi bers of themselves while generously off ering up humor, pain and joy to thread the pieces together. Typical of VOICES, this project began with the cast sharing their personal stories amongst the rest of the cast and crew. Only then, did the process of blueprinting and workshopping the show began.

“A Green Bird on Orange Trees” is co-directed by Art Williams and Cassidy Willey and the cast includes: Hattie Rensberry, Travis Wilson, Micha Schoepe, Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas, Dani Rivera, Quentin Farris, Jeanette Adams and Kat Dressman.

TACAW and VOICES have collaborated many times. Willey expressed her gratitude to the venue for opening its arms to them.

The Sopris Sun had the opportunity to speak with Willey, Rensberry, and Farris about the production.

Willey is well known in the Valley for her talents in theater and has been with VOICES for a number of years. She says that the theme of this production holds an important meaning and should provide inspiration for audience members.

Willey considers herself “as someone who does not identify as part of the queer community, but most certainly an ally,” she shared. “I would love for everyone to see parts of themselves refl ected in this story, “ she continued, “ and really see how much people have in common and the humanity of everyone who has struggled and [their] triumphs.”

With this production, she hopes some will come away with more understanding and empathy and others feeling less alone.

“I do feel that every single person coming to the show — regardless of their identity, orientation or background — will see themselves refl ected in the generosity and the honesty of the stories shared. I think it's great that our ensemble off ers this gift of opening themselves up and really doing a lot of exploring on stage, in front of us. Some of these stories and times in their lives are very much still in process,” explained Willey.

Farris has been performing with VOICES since he was a junior in high school and has continued working with them since. His performance includes poetry that draws inspiration from the popular fantasy game Dungeons and Dragons.

“I think the current production is absolutely incredible. All of the work that we're doing is incredible,” said Farris. “It's just been really fun to hang out with other people, see all of our shared experiences, diff erent experiences and just learn more about each other.”

Farris also said that the production is important as it will be platforming often silenced voices and show queer folk in the Valley that there are spaces and communities for them.

“I hope that anyone who comes to the show will take away that being queer inherently has a lot of struggles,” Farris continued. “So, hopefully they can take away from this view into the queer experience.”

In writing her piece, Renseberry mentioned that it was important for her to focus on themes, stories and fi gures that people are familiar with, so as to give them a holding point as she goes through the narrative.

“I spent a lot of time trying to fi nd linguistic visuals and storytelling themes that people will be familiar with that can help create an environment where they can really sit in that space, with that character, and better understand her journey and her experience throughout the process,” stated Rensberry.

She hopes the audience will walk away with a feeling of having put themselves into the shoes of the storytellers.

Tickets for “A Green Bird on Orange Trees” are on sale now at www. voicesrfv.org

Photo courtesy of Susannah McLeod, McLeod9 Creative

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Wendy Moore, a beloved and wellknown teacher, school principal and theater artist, died Oct. 5 at her home in Glenwood Springs surrounded by her family.

She was born in Milwaukee to Joseph and Bernice Preiss. Wendy graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1965 and earned her BA in education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969. She earned a Master of Arts degree in education from the University of Colorado-Greeley in 1989.

After teaching for a year in Wisconsin, Wendy moved to Colorado to continue her career as an English teacher at Merritt Hutton High in Thornton. There, she was told she would also be responsible for either the speech and debate team or the theater program. Wendy chose the latter, bought a book about how to direct a play and entered into a lifelong love of theater that saw her acting or directing in nearly 200 productions.

She met her husband, Bob Moore, who was working as a bartender at Golden’s Heritage Square Opera House in 1971. Wendy was working there part-time as a waitress while also teaching in Thornton. Bob was also acting, and they immediately hit it off over their love of theater. In the coming decades, Wendy and Bob became a theatrical powerhouse, with Bob mostly onstage and Wendy primarily in the director’s chair.

They married Dec. 27, 1972 at Heritage Square Opera House. Taking an opportunity to run a showboat on the Mississippi River in 1975, the couple moved to St. Louis where Wendy was the artistic director for the Goldenrod Showboat and Bob its general manager. Wanting to move back to Colorado after a few years, Wendy secured a position as an English and theater teacher at Summit High School in Frisco in 1978.

Although they thought they’d be there a year, Bob and Wendy stayed for 20. The duo became active at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, where Wendy was again the artistic director. Under their leadership, the theater grew its audience and expanded its season while also becoming active in the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition, where Wendy was on the board for 18 years and served four years as its president. As part of CCTC, the Backstage won numerous awards and traveled to play competitions around the state, in the U.S. and ultimately to Switzerland in 1998.

Meanwhile, Wendy’s education career continued apace, and she became vice-principal at Summit High and later took over as principal at Summit Middle School. She was also a fi nalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year in 1983.

Wendy and Bob left Summit County and moved to Carbondale in 1998, where she worked as the principal at Roaring Fork High School until her retirement in 2005. The pair were active in the Valley’s theater community, with Wendy directing shows at Aspen Community Theatre, Thunder River Theatre and others. She served as president of the Rotary Club in Carbondale in 2006 and was an adjunct professor of speech at Colorado Mountain College from 2005-2015.

Wendy is survived by her husband, Bob; children Mandy Moore and Missy Moore; brother William Preiss (Dee Dee) of Minneapolis and sister Joleen Preiss of Wauwatosa, Wisc. A celebration of life for Wendy is planned for Monday, Jan. 9, at the Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale. Any memorial contributions in Wendy’s name can be made to a local theater company, the Denver Actors Fund or to any other charity.

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Born in Chappaqua, New York to Mary and Hap Donham, Sandie graduated from Greely High School and later Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She had her children in Ithaca, New York, raised them in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and lived with Gary in Greensboro, North Carolina before finally moving to Carbondale. Sandie was an artist throughout her life, including tableware design for Corning Glass (late ‘60s), retail display and printmaking (‘80s), then on to pottery beginning in the ‘90s throughout the rest of her life. Sandie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gary, daughter Paige, son Brett and four grandchildren, Wyatt, Delilah, Maggie and Finn.

We want you to know…

Husband Gary: Sandie was my first girlfriend in college later becoming my soulmate and bride; my first, best and last wife. She was truly an artist in every sense of the word. She was an only child who then became a wonderful mother and teacher. She was an introvert who presented a strong and loving public presence. She preferred being at the Carbondale Clay Center to visiting a therapist. She preferred Sandaritas to Margaritas. I now believe she resides in the spirit space conversing with her favorite spirits and waiting for new arrivals.

Daughter Paige: Mom could whistle so loud the whole neighborhood knew it was time for Bret and me to go home. She made our friends feel welcome, loved to read greeting cards in the store that made her laugh out loud, and she loved her family — both blood and chosen — fiercely. Long Beach Island, New Jersey was her happy place. She could create art with any media. Her style and taste were cool and elegant; her laugh, smile and sense of humor unmistakable. I’ve become the woman, friend and mother I am, having followed her example. She is and will always be with me and with all of you too.

Son Bret: Mom’s smile would always light up a room...and your heart. Her kindness and caring for others was immeasurable. She made everyone feel like the most important person in the room while in her presence. Her generosity knew no bounds, regardless of times of plenty or scarcity. I do not know anyone with as impeccable manners. Even in her last days every request was made with a please and finished with a thank you. Above all else she taught us that family, friends and relationships are priceless. I rest in the fact that she is free of that broken body, is in heaven in all of her glory and someday this momma’s boy will be reunited with his number one fan and best mom on the planet.

A “Celebration of an Artist's Life” for Sandie will be held at the Orchard (110 Snowmass Drive in Carbondale) on May 27, 2023 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations in Sandie’s name to the Angus Graham Scholarship Fund of the Carbondale Clay Center www.carbondaleclay.org/ angusgraham Donations will support and inspire ceramic artists of all ages in Sandie's beloved memory.

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A letter to our editor

By James Steindler

When you’re away, We stay afl oat, it’s true But, there’s something missing… Well, it’s just not the same without you The journey takes you far

Curiosity in tow Colorfully documenting Wherever you go

In a hostel in Éire Gazing over chimneys In a meadow Walled by rock for centuries

In Carbondale,

The cows come home The show goes on Queer VOICES take the stage In this town, across the pond So, have a round of Guinness A toast to your quest Leave a euro at the bottom of the glass And enjoy the journey West

Irish rooftops. By Raleigh Burleigh

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“rule of law” in their new government. This meant a just set of laws, as determined by the people, which are applied equally to the citizens AND the government — that no one should be above these laws.

In this way, the founding fathers believed the rule of law would act as a barrier against tyrannical and arbitrary government.

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Maintaining democracy and the rule of law is too important to the rest of us to let it slip away.

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Vote for Diaz

I am supporting Aron Diaz for Garfield County Treasurer. I have known Aron and his extended family for many years as he is a fourth-generation citizen of Garfield County. Aron worked on staff for my office when I served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives for this district.

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Former Speaker of the House

Colorado House of Representatives than thirty-years of law enforcement work, Joey has shown himself to be highly responsive to his constituents and consistently respected by other law enforcement communities

When it became obvious that the community had outgrown the current configuration of the jail, Joey took steps to solve the problems. He brought suggestions to the county commissioners, without a preconceived notion of which solution might be best. In concert with the board of county commissioners (BoCC), he arranged for inmates to be housed temporarily at the Garfield County jail while upgrades were constructed in our own jail. Joey has worked to protect both the detention officers and the inmates. Working with the BoCC to develop an optimal justice center which aids and respects those with mental illness and provides facilities for those with addiction issues — as well as providing safe incarceration — is another expression of his commitment.

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Vote Democrat

If there is only one metric worth following, in any election, it is that truth and accuracy are paramount, if that is what you wish to be legislated with. Fear, slander and division are red flags for unknowledgeable candidates that do not respect even the constituents who elect them. Let insecure folks follow the wackadoodle news sources right into dissonant autocracy and con-spiracy. Our only job is to stay focused on electing clear thinking democrats, with the goal of regaining a vibrant democracy. VOTE!

John Hoffmann , Carbondale

Letter policy: Please limit your letters to 500 words. We are committed to including all perspectives in The Sopris Sun. If your letter does not appear, it may be because of space limitations in the paper or because other letters we printed expressed the same idea or point of view. Letters are due by noon on the Monday before we go to print.