CRT’s Latest KID Show Brings Out Students’ Hidden Talents with Dragoncillo Puppetry
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The Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) has launched a new educational initiative, “KID Show,” featuring the Dragoncillo puppetry troupe, aimed at helping students build confidence and social skills through immersive theatrical experiences. The program, highlighted in a recent report by American Theatre, debuted in late July 2026 as part of CRT’s annual summer season in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.
Puppetry has long been recognized as a tool for child development, but CRT’s collaboration with Dragoncillo marks a targeted effort to address social anxiety and communication barriers among young participants. According to the American Theatre article, the show’s creators designed interactive segments where students engage with hand and rod puppets, fostering self-expression in a low-pressure environment. “The goal is to create a space where kids feel safe to explore their voices,” said CRT artistic director Laura Voss in a statement provided to the outlet. “Puppetry removes the pressure of direct performance, allowing them to experiment with confidence.”
Dragoncillo, a Denver-based puppetry collective, has previously collaborated with educational institutions on similar projects. Their involvement in the KID Show underscores a growing trend in theater education that merges traditional performance with psychological wellness frameworks. The troupe’s founder, Miguel Alvarez, emphasized the importance of “nonverbal storytelling” in breaking down social barriers. “When children control a puppet, they’re not just performing—they’re taking ownership of their narrative,” Alvarez said in a 2026 interview with American Theatre.
The KID Show’s structure includes workshops led by CRT staff and Dragoncillo artists, followed by a public performance where students showcase their creations. Participants range from elementary to middle school age, with registration open to local schools and community groups. CRT reported that the first iteration of the program, held July 18–22, welcomed over 150 students, with plans to expand the initiative in future seasons.
While the program’s primary focus is on confidence-building, educators involved in the project note broader benefits. “Students who participated showed increased engagement in classroom discussions and peer interactions,” said Emily Torres, a school counselor at Creede’s Riverside Elementary, who collaborated with CRT on the initiative. “It’s not just about theater—it’s about equipping kids with tools to navigate social challenges.”
The use of puppetry in educational settings is not new, but CRT’s approach reflects a shift toward integrating arts-based interventions into mainstream youth development. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Arts in Education found that students exposed to puppetry-based activities demonstrated a 22% increase in self-reported confidence compared to peers in traditional programs. While the CRT initiative has yet to release its own evaluation metrics, preliminary feedback from participants and parents has been positive.
Local media coverage of the KID Show has highlighted its accessibility, with CRT offering sliding-scale fees and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to ensure participation is not restricted by financial barriers. The theater also partnered with the San Juan County Public Library to host free previews of the final performance, drawing families from across the region.
As CRT prepares for its 2027 season, the KID Show has already sparked interest from other regional theaters. “We’ve received inquiries from schools in Durango and Farmington about adapting the model,” said Voss. “There’s a clear need for programs that blend creativity with emotional resilience.”
The success of the KID Show could signal a broader movement in theater education, where artistic expression is leveraged not just for entertainment, but as a catalyst for personal growth. For now, CRT remains focused on its immediate impact, with plans to document the program’s outcomes through a series of follow-up surveys and community forums.
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“Puppetry removes the pressure of direct performance, allowing them to experiment with confidence.”
Source: Miguel Alvarez, founder of Dragoncillo, American Theatre, July 2026.
Quoted text
“Students who participated showed increased engagement in classroom discussions and peer interactions.”
Source: Emily Torres, school counselor, Riverside Elementary, American Theatre, July 2026.
Quoted text
“The goal is to create a space where kids feel safe to explore their voices.”
Source: Laura Voss, artistic director, Creede Repertory Theatre, American Theatre, July 2026.