Today we’d like to introduce you to Curt Gordon
Hi Curt , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My music story started in childhood. My Dad was a professional Country Music singer and I tagged along him since I could walk. I started taking guitar seriously around age 8. Later I started working at Boothe Brothers Music in Spanish Fork which was owned and operated by my childhood guitar teacher, Steve Boothe and his brother Mike. This fairytale job was the hub of music and arts for me. In the late 90’s I started producing and performing in music gigs, concerts, and open-stage improv jams, on the side. I’ve continued to do so, ever since. In 2016 I began the purchase of what is now the Angelus Theatre from my bosses, the Boothe Brothers. The Angelus Theatre originally opened in Sept. of 1912 right here on this foundation. It burned down in 1948 but was re-built and re-opened in 1950. The Angelus was mostly a movie house through the decades. It has now morphed from a basic primary concert hall to a live theatre by way of some talented playwrights and theatre producers like Great Hall Theatrical Experiences, Cobb & Co Theater and others. Together we have staged and produced originally written theatrical productions since 2019. We still have many concerts and other performing arts events in between the theatrical shows too. It’s been a blessing and a joy to work in music and arts since 1998.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, it has been a blessed experience. Yes, there have been many challenges along the way. The arts are a labor of love so it’s a good thing we’re all in love with the arts. Some actual challenges have been, keeping up on royalties to payment royalty organizations, staying ahead of inflating property taxes, keeping this 112 year old building in strong working order. The largest challenges in recent years have been installing a new roof, installing a new sewer main, building a new bathroom for our performers back stage. Navigating the pandemic was of course a huge challenge. We had to shutter for about a year and then be very cautious upon reopening. We survived!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Angelus Theatre specializes in local, original, theatre, music and art. Our goal is to stage local and originally written music, theatre and art. We’ve also been a founding part of educational programs like Real Rock Band and the Great Hall Youth Theatre program, both of which started here at the Angelus. We started BLUESJAM, an open stage, improv Blues jam, in 1999 and ran that through 2021. We augmented that with a Classic Country, Classic Rock, and Songwriter’s Night. Those events were created to educate new musicians on American music and giving them an opportunity to play in a band. We also travel outside of the Angelus to co-produce or offer sound and backline services for other events. We’re “proud” of the history of our BLUESJAM and Real Rock Band but our current favorite program is the Great Hall Youth Theatre. This has been such a wonderful way for kids to gain skills and confidence while living their best lives with their peers.
How do you define success?
I would define success as being satisfied at the end of the day after serving your neighbors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelustheatre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelustheatre
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelustheatre
