By Shannon Lukens.

 

Wildhorse Movie Theater in Steamboat Springs is being transformed to also host live performances.  The local group Undiscovered Earth has announced a new collaboration with the Wildhorse Steamboat Movie Theater, starting Feb. 1. The theatre will offer more diverse entertainment and events for the local community. Two of the theaters will be outfitted with stages and enhanced lighting systems to accommodate live performances, which are expected to start by March at the latest.

Movies, including new releases, classic movies, art movies, and movies chosen by the community and local nonprofits, will still be available at the theater.

The three-to-five year vision for Wildhorse Cinemas is to purchase the building and transform it into a center for the performing arts with movie theaters as well.

 

Press Release from Undiscovered Earth; Dec. 25, 2024

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Undiscovered Earth and Wildhorse Steamboat, LLC Team Up to Reimagine Wildhorse Movie Theater as a Movie and Performance Space for the Community.

 

**Steamboat Springs, CO – September 30, 2024 – Undiscovered Earth (UE) is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Wildhorse Steamboat, LLC to transition Wildhorse Movie Theater into a vibrant space that will host both movie screenings and live performances. This transformation marks a significant step in Undiscovered Earth’s mission to enrich the artistic and cultural fabric of Northwest Colorado by offering more diverse entertainment and event options for the local community. The venue will also begin to meet the need for affordable rehearsal and performance space for local nonprofit partners.

 

“Karl Bunker, owner of Wildhorse Steamboat, LLC and Metropolitan Rocky Mountain Cinemas are the heroes of this story,” said Dagny McKinley, Executive Director of Undiscovered Earth. “They are giving their expertise and support to reimagine how we come together as a community and allow the performing arts to expand and thrive. There are no words to express our gratitude for this space and the opportunity we have been given.”

 

UE aims to make slight modifications to two of the theater’s screening rooms, outfitting them with stages and enhanced lighting systems to accommodate live performances. This will allow the space to host a variety of events, from theatrical productions to musical performances, comedy, youth entertainment, art classes and more all while continuing to feature new releases, nostalgic films, film classics, and family-friendly movie nights. “We have been working with nonprofit partners in the community to understand their programming needs and make sure we are providing affordable and accessible space for them,” said McKinley. “As we build out our 2025 calendar, we would love to hear from the community about what ideas they might have to activate the place, films they would like to see and events they might want to host in the space. Movie theaters have struggled since COVID-19 so the success of the project will depend on making sure Wildhorse becomes a home for the community, a space where people feel welcomed and want to come to.

 

The 3-5 year vision for Wildhorse Cinemas is to purchase the building and  transform it into a center for the arts with a performing arts theater, movie theaters, rehearsal spaces for artists, arts education space for youth

 

If you are interested in investing in the vision, or if you want to volunteer time or ideas, please reach out to dagny@undiscoveredearth.com.

 

In addition to movies and live performances, UE is exploring the possibility of using the venue for conferences and special events. The theater’s lobby will be refreshed with comfortable seating, so guests can linger before and after events, enhancing the shared experience.

Undiscovered Earth supports artists in living, working, and thriving in Northwest Colorado by identifying community needs and addressing the gaps between what is offered and what is needed. UE envisions a future where all creatives in NW Colorado thrive with the support and resources they need to inspire, transform, and unite our community through the power of art.

 

For more information, contact: Dagny McKinley, Executive Director, Undiscovered Earth – dagny@undiscoveredearth.com