The Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Gala on Saturday evening, January 21, to celebrate the citizens and businesses of Archuleta County, in general and in particular.

The citizens and businesses particularly celebrated by way of the annual Community Awards included Citizen of the Year Terry Smith, Volunteer of the Year Lynne McCrudden, and — as the Non-Profit of the Year — Thingamajig Theatre Company in recognition of the company’s cultural and economic contribution to the community, enhancing the lives of adults and children.

From Chamber Executive Director Mary Jo Coulehan’s presentation speech:

“As a big part of [Thingamajig’s] non-profit efforts, they host a summer kids camp which allows children to learn about theatre from making costumes and building sets as well as learning to act, sing and dance from the professionals who come to Pagosa. They have won national Broadway awards, Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards, and “Best of” awards from TrueWest. They bring in professional actors, directors, lighting, costume and set designers that have enhanced the theatre product while also using talented local actors.”

“Their efforts as a non-profit have not only helped youth and multi-organizational collaboration, but they have created an economic impact to Pagosa Springs by renovating an abandoned building and creating a sense of place, creating jobs, attracting tourists and now expanding their efforts to house and employ people that work with their organization. They give back to the community by donating ticket sales to other non-profits, and they collaborate with other theatrical performing companies such as Curtains Up Pagosa, Fort Lewis College and the Durango Arts Center. They were also on the ground floor of the Pagosa Arts & Culture Project for the annual ‘Makers’ weekend [art shows].

“We are glad that two young, creative and hardworking entrepreneurs got into a beat up old van and found Pagosa Springs as they cruised southwest Colorado looking for a place to start their theatre.”