It's A New Era for Boulder Theatre

With Plans for Wonder and Beauty

Jessica Robblee Photograph by Zachary Andrews

          When Stephen Weitz and Rebecca Remaly announced their intention of leaving BETC--originally Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, later re-named Butterfly Effect Theatre Company--early this year, it felt like the end of an era. Up until the couple founded BETC in 2006, there wasn't much serious theatre in Boulder. In fact, in a town seething with artistic talent, there simply wasn't any. Over the years the couple staged a variety of plays, most of them at the Dairy Arts Center, all of them contemporary, and all intriguing. Some are still vivid in my memory: Birds of North America, a quietly charming two-hander; The Revolutionists in which Adrian Egolf was so brilliantly, insanely funny as Marie Antoinette that it was hard not to spit out your coffee laughing. One of the best ever was Hysteria, which I dubbed a tragi-farce in the Westword review.

            Through all this, including construction problems at the Dairy and the jolt of the Covid closure, the founders' hands were steady on the tiller. They kept the quality high, and many of our finest theatre artists worked regularly with them. They had a smart, supportive board and a devoted local audience, as well as what seemed reasonable financial stability—rare for theatre companies.

            Now the reins have been turned over to Jessica Robblee, a much-sought-after actor with a smart, vibrant, and intriguing stage presence and fellow actor Mark Ragan.

            She had been "plodding along trying to keep myself employed," Jessica told me. "And I didn't see this coming." Both she and Mark starred in the summer's Colorado Shakespeare Festival and she explains that the two of them started discussing possible ideal projects together. Mark was interested in a production of The Belle of Amhurst, a one-woman play about Emily Dickinson and could easily imagine Jessica in the role. Both were also intrigued by the idea of mounting an entire season. "It all kind of evolved," Jessica said. "Our timeline came together with Stephen and Rebecca stepping away from BETC."

            The new era made its debut this weekend (and got back its original name) with Coal Country, a play about a 2010 mining tragedy in West Virginia that runs through November 19. Belle of Amherst returns November 2 in Colorado Springs, and receives a five show engagement at the Dairy beginning November 22.          

The cast of Coal Cuntry, courtesy of BETC

Mark had been a long term donor to BETC as well as Boulder Ballet, and he was always following dance, music, and theatre, according to Jessica. "We had a vision for theatre and also other things, music, maybe a night about Edna St. Vincent Millay, poetry readings, an improv. series, things for kids and families--events where we're saying, 'We think this is wonderful and beautiful. Come see it.'

            "This year is transitional for sure," she adds, and she finds herself veering between exhilaration and an awareness of just how much there is to do and learn. "We missed a bunch of grant deadlines. It's hard to be efficient about the mundane things, to catch everything, to set the division of labor."

            But several highly dedicated artists have stepped forward to work on projects and "Mainly, I think, it's just delegating to talented people. We see this place as an artistic home that you return to."

            Asked about Coal Country, Jessica--who is directing--says producing director Mark saw the play in New York and was deeply moved. The script is based on the words of the miners themselves, and the music of Steve Earle interweaves. "It's the magic of the verbatim," Jessica says. "Real people have spoken and their voices are unique. They are sharing their thoughts on varying and pertinent circumstances. What happens to working people when corporate interest takes over human life?"

            For information on times and tickets and future plans: BETC.org.