Welcome to Thunder River Theatre Company

In Loving Memory of Lon Winston,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lon Winston, the esteemed Founder and Executive Artistic Director Emeritus of Thunder River Theatre Company.

Lon passed away peacefully on March 21st, leaving behind his radiant wife of 49 years, Debra, and a legacy that will forever resonate within the theatre community. A theatre maker and educator for 60 years, Lon’s legacy lies in the hearts of the many generations of students and audiences that have been fortunate enough to be in his sphere.

Lon was the visionary whose passion and dedication was the underpinning for TRTC. He founded the theatre in 1995, and it was his innovative spirit, artistic excellence, and downright tenacity which shaped our organization’s identity and inspired countless artists and audiences alike. In the 21 years Lon ran TRTC, he directed and designed more than 60 productions — and performed in many. His final show was A View from the Bridge in February of 2020, a fitting swan song as he played Alfieri, the all-knowing narrator.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Lon’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who touched so many lives.

In honor of Lon’s legacy, we will be holding a celebration of life at the Lon Winston Theatre in TRTC on May 4th, 2024. Details will be shared as we get closer.

When asked about what the community could do for her in this time of sorrow, Debra responded that she doesn’t need flowers, but would prefer that people make a donation in Lon’s name to either CARE or TRTC. “TRTC was our ‘baby,’ and the baby still needs to go to college,” she quipped.

Thunder River Theatre Company will forever be grateful for Lon’s vision, leadership, and enduring impact on our community. We pledge to carry forward his legacy with the same passion and dedication that defined his life’s work.

With deepest sympathy,

TRTC Staff and Board of Directors

DRIVEN BY A PASSION TO EXPLORE AND ILLUMINATE THE HUMAN CONDITION

For over two decades Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) has staged works ranging from the most beloved theatre classics to the most current and cutting-edge playwrights. We seek to elucidate the unspeakable, to reimagine the familiar, and to awaken the ancient bond between storyteller and tribe, actor and audience.

INSPIRED BY THE WELL-ESTABLISHED MODEL OF RESIDENT THEATRE COMPANIES

In 2005, TRTC opened its doors in downtown Carbondale, Colorado. More than twenty years and 65 productions since the organization’s founding, TRTC continues to meet its mission of offering professional-quality theatre productions and education, as well as a host of expanded programs ranging from comedy improv to musical cabaret to development of new work.