Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) doesn’t keep its ghostlight on for too long and has a lot coming up. On Friday, Jan. 24, TRTC along with its newest collaborator, El Dorado, will launch an immersive concert series, “Pink to Black.” The cosmic Los Angeles-based psychedelic rock group, the Triptides, is the first headliner. Then, on Saturday, Jan. 25, the theater’s “Thunderchat” keynote speaker series commences, which Executive Artistic Director Missy Moore said is the result of something she’s been ruminating on for about two years.   

“I think it is death to a theater if the doors remain closed,” Missy told The Sopris Sun. “Like, we should be producing over and over and over again. And it doesn’t always have to be a play. There are so many strengths that a theater can be utilized for.” 

‘Pink to Black’
This concert series was named after the “Pink to Black” river run between Carbondale and Westbank. When speaking with Mike Arnold, the owner of El Dorado, he said that naming the project something that paid homage to the area was important. 

“It was important for us to have a name that [gave a] tip of the cap to Carbondale and the locality, but also in a subtle way,” Arnold stated.  

When discussing what audiences can expect, Moore said they are in for an “elevated experience,” and with the full activation of TRTC’s black box space. 

For roughly six months, Arnold, Moore and Chris Rullet, a  fellow visionary at El Dorado, collaborated to come up with this project. The concert series will not only see the black box fully transformed to fit the themes of each performer, but also feature specialty craft cocktails from El Dorado. 

When discussing the collaboration, Rullet praised the team, which also included Aly Sanguily and Emily Henley, for their creative inputs and drive to bring something like this to the community. 

“Everybody we work with is so creative. Nobody has any ego, and we’re all just trying to make the community better. Everybody brings this wealth of knowledge. Once you scratch the surface on this whole thing, it’s incredible,” said Rullet. 

The concert series is said to have something for everyone, in part thanks to Rullet’s long-time work in the Los Angeles’s music industry with Capitol Records. Having also been the playlist guru for El Dorado and helping facilitate DJ sets there, it was a given he’d help find performers for the series. 

“What we’re really trying to do is try to find unique, up-and-coming bands that fit Carbondale — and it isn’t easy,” Rullet conceded.

DJ Pinto opens for the Triptides at 7pm on Jan. 24 and the doors open at 6pm. The audience is in for a fun night of relaxing sounds, good drinks and some of the best vibes.

‘Thunderchat’
The first “Thunderchat” keynote speaker, world-renowned choreographer, producer, director and, most importantly, Missy’s sister, Mandy Moore, has received three Emmy Awards and an additional 13 nominations. She is probably best known for her work on projects like “Dancing With the Stars” and “La La Land,” plus Taylor Swift’s recent “Eras Tour.” 

“She’s had a hell of a career. I think quite a lot of people don’t know what it is that she’s done and achieved, and she’s got some awesome stories,” Missy explained. “The first half is going to be a TED Talk kind of thing, with Mandy talking about what she’s done, and … the second half will be a Q&A.” 

The Q&A will be moderated by Hattison Rensberry. While the rest of the “Thunderchat” lineup is yet to be determined, Moore is open to hosting various voices from within the performance arts scene and beyond. 

“There’re so many wonderful people in this world who have such compelling stories,” she stated. “It doesn’t always need to be like a theater related artist or anything. I’m open to authors or poets or anyone.” 

The premier “Pink to Black” concert, featuring Triptides, is on Jan. 24  — doors open at 6pm. The first “Thunderchat,” featuring Mandy Moore, is on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7:30pm. Both events are at TRTC and tickets can be found at www.thunderrivertheatre.com