Merely Underground's Final Stretch!

Almost a year ago, as we were all reeling from the ongoing trauma of the global pandemic, we received a message of creativity and hope from Mona Wood-Patterson. These were her words:

“Imagine a space where we can store all of the equipment, props, furniture, lumber, and costumes that are now scattered across town in various storage units.  

Imagine a space where we can rehearse and teach classes on our own timeframe, without having to move props and sound equipment and costumes back and forth at every rehearsal. Where we don’t have to restage an entire show in two weeks. Where we don’t have to work around other schedules.

Imagine a place where we can build onsite, where sets don’t have to be modular so that they can be moved and reconstructed, where lights can stay hung on a grid, where strike means taking things down the hall instead of loading them into a moving truck and unloading them in the dark.

Envision a space where everyone who enters the doors will feel safe, welcome, valued, and creative – where each individual can personally grow as a theatrical artist and collectively grow as a part of a theatre family. A place filled with joy.” 

For many of us, those words were a bright light in an otherwise dark and difficult time. The vision offered a little bit of joy and hope to cling to, and work towards, when everything seemed so wonky. 

It’s been 10 months since we received that message,  and that dream has now materialized. We are set to open Merely Underground, our new theater home on October 1, 2021!  We are in the final stretch, but we are still in need of help to make this dream a reality. 

Unfortunately, the continuing pandemic has impacted our season ticket sales. We were hoping that we’d be able to raise this money through our subscriber drive, but now we come to you to help us with this final push as we move forward with faith and optimism.

The reality is, that in order to actualize this space, we need to raise $13,500, and we need your help to do it.

The hard work and dollars already spent have transformed the space with truly astounding results. Charles Ford and his team of volunteers  have worked tirelessly. To date, we have accomplished the following:

- installed a state of the art HVAC system
- completed wall and electrical demolition
- installed new electrical rewiring and lighting
- Installed 3 new ADA restrooms and renovated a 4th
- designed, constructed, and equipped 2 dressing rooms and a green room
- built a lighting/ sound booth
- installed exterior lighting
- completed upgrades for fire department requirements, including exit signs and railings
- purchased and custom built storage shelving and racks, as well as storage for tech crew personal belongings
- built two utility closets
- installed plumbing for a sink and water fountain
- completed hallway renovation
- built a stage manager booth
- purchased air purifiers for cast and audience areas
- purchased a free standing water cooler
- purchased flooring
- designed and purchased interior and exterior signage

We are in the final stretch and are aiming to finish building our new space in time to open on October 1, 2021. To achieve this vision of creating a space that will serve our players and community for years to come, we need to raise $13,500.

Here's where that money will go:

- Chairs for our audience
- Platforms and Hardware for audience risers
- Keyboard and bench for rehearsals
- Welding for safety railing
- Final electrical work
- Paint for the audience area
- Hiring a lighting professional to help us configure stage lights
- Purchase of stage lighting Instruments
- Ticket sales booth
- Purchase of electric heater for audience space
- Copying Costs first season (Posters, season brochures, programs) 


Theatre adds vitality and variety to a community, and this space will be an essential part of the vibrant theatre scene here in Durango. 


No donation is too small, and we are grateful for every dime. If you donate $100 or more through this campaign, we will put your name on one of our chairs to live in the theater forever. You can also pool your money and donate as a group (for example Troupe 1096 Class of 2007) 

We are constantly in awe of your support. We literally could not do this without your passion and dedication. We Merely thank you with all of our hearts.

Below are some photos from past Merely Players productions — a reminder of the joy this company has brought to us all.