Talk of the TOWWN: Mark & Maxine Rossman of the Cherry Creek Theater
Brenda Nesbitt
TOWWN chats with Mark and Maxine Rossman, founders of the Cherry Creek Theatre, and two of our heroes producing quality professional theatre in the heart of Denver.
Mark: “Ten years ago, sitting in our living room, looking at the development going on in Cherry Creek, we wondered what we could do to help maintain the vitality of the community. Maxine popped up with: “What about a theatre!? It was really like an inspiration.” With some experience in theatre, but not enough to start one from scratch, they got busy. Soon they’d formed a board who knew how to get things done.
“It was almost…spiritual.“ says Mark. When a need arose, the need was filled. Yes, the community wanted a quality theatre. Yes, they found an artistic producer and a home at The Shaver-Ramsay Gallery. For six years they emptied a room of its rug display, stored sets and equipment in a POD, and 99 rented chairs. After each performance they broke down the set and put the rugs back. Mark notes: “We did that 214 times”.
Three years ago, they needed a new space. Mark had 78 meetings with more than 100 people. The 78th one turned up Steve Wilson, Executive Artistic Producer of the Mizel Arts & Culture Center. When Mark said he was looking for space, Steve said: “Well, I’m looking for a resident theatre company.” Situated in the PLUSS theatre, they’ve received a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, which shares their belief that theatres create families. Mark: “We take pride in this — out of 310 performances, Maxine and I have been at 304 of them. It’s as if the audience were family, coming to our living room.” With sold-out shows, wonderful reviews and discerning audiences glad to have the chance to think, The Cherry Creek Theatre is prepping its next play: Other Desert Cities.
TOWWN offers kudos to Mark and Maxine Rossman, for their decision to present a season of three plays in 2019, all directed by women.
OTHER DESERT CITIES, written by Jon Robin Baitz, directed by Sheila Ivy Traister
Cherry Creek Theatre, Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Denver 80246
March 28 — April 28, 2019 (No performances April 18–21)
Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:00pm, Sundays, 2:00 pm
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2ucx9hl
