Tracey’s love of the stage began early on with her involvement with the La Junta Children’s Theatre, continuing through La Junta High School and finally to Picketwire. She was elected to the board of directors in 2010 and then became president of the board in 2014. She has overseen all organizational management including: productions, inventory, fundraising, building improvements, patrons and building relationships with the community. At a very young age Tracey learned how to look at most things in life from a professional/business perspective. She attributes this to being raised in a family business that has served the La Junta Community for 114 years and she brings this work ethic and dedication to the board. Tracey lives in La Junta with her husband and two children.

Jeff Jackson was born and raised in La Junta, Colorado. He has an Associates of Arts from Otero Junior College and a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in Managerial Information Systems from Adams State. He has run his own technology business for the past 21 years. As a board member, Jeff brings his experience and expertise in technology and business. He lives in La Junta with his wife and their two children.

Molly Borton is a proud La Junta native! She first became involved with Picketwire in 1997 when she was cast in Carousel. Molly was very active in theatre throughout high school and majored in Theatre Education while at the University of Northern Colorado. Upon returning to La Junta, she began working at her old alma mater – La Junta High School. Molly has worked in education for the past eleven years and is currently a school counselor for East Otero School District. Molly has served on the Picketwire board for two and a half years and has enjoyed being a “behind the scenes” part of their amazing productions. She hopes her involvement with Picketwire will help inspire a love of the arts in her two young daughters and can’t wait to see them on the stage someday!

Zach Zamora has been involved with Picketwire Players since The Lion in Winter in 2012, during which he was responsible for the sound effects. Since that time, Zach has worked backstage, served on the Board of Directors, been the lighting and special effects technician on over a dozen plays, and assisted with Picketwire’s 50th anniversary. Zach has used his experience and expertise to install new stage lighting and update the sound equipment.

Heather has been in the theatre world for over 30 years. She was first elected to her board position at Picketwire in 2018 and has served as Secretary since 2019. She holds a Master’s in Professional Writing from Chatham University and a B.F.A. in Film & Television Screenwriting from the Academy of Art University. In her time on the board, Heather has been instrumental in obtaining over $30,000 in grant funding for the Picketwire Players. In addition to writing grants for the theatre, she also assists in writing press releases and running the Facebook page. Heather has appeared in multiple Picketwire productions, some of which include: My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Mamma Mia (Tanya), A Christmas Story (Ralphie’s Mother), and Dracula (Lucy Westenra). She most recently directed the 2020 production of The 39 Steps and the 2019 production of The Crucible. Heather lives in La Junta where she works as a freelance writer and runs her own yoga and wellness studio.

My name is Scott Goheen and I have been involved with the Picketwire Theater since the production of Deadwood Dick in 2006 where I portrayed the villain Blackman Redburn under the direction of George Larsen and the late Ken Schroll. I was most recently involved in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Into the Woods, and Les Miserables all in main or supporting roles. These productions were under the fantastic and creative vision of Tracey and Cameron Salzbrenner along with my wife, Desiree Goheen. I have been a part of many other facets of the Picketwire Theater including backstage crew, stage manager, set construction, as well as serving on the buildings and grounds committee.

I currently serve on the Picketwire Board. During my terms I have volunteered countless hours to better the theatre by working the box office, organizing the tool room, and contributing to building projects such as the assisted entry ramp in the theatre and the construction of Ken Schroll Memorial light booth project in the balcony.

When I am not contributing time to the Theatre I take on the role and responsibilities of Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at La Junta Jr/Sr High School. This is a school in Southeast Colorado of about 600 students. I have currently been in this position for the past 4 years in which we have had to navigate the waters of Covid-19 and how to conduct and resume school in a safe yet effective manner.

Desiree has been involved with the Picketwire Players since the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2005 where she portrayed the nasty Mae under the direction of the late Ken Schroll. She is the current Vice-President of the Board and recently directed Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical in December of 2019. She has been a part of many other facets of the Picketwire Players including assistant director, choreographer, backstage crew, stage manager, set construction, production committee, grounds committee, and basement cleanup crew. She works as an Art Teacher for EOSD and lives in La Junta with her husband Scott and daughter Emberlyn.

Cameron has officially been on the board of directors since 2013. His grandmother was a Picketwire Player in the 80’s, so he was first introduced to live theatre at a young age, which is when his appreciation for it began. He got involved in the summer musicals in 2000 as an assistant director and has been part of the Picketwire Family in some capacity ever since. Cameron has an MBA and works in management for a Denver-based company and brings his business expertise to the board. He believes that running the theater with a business mindset has afforded the Picketwire Players with financial success in recent years. Cameron lives in La Junta with his wife and their two adorable boys.

Natalie Summers has been involved in the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts for nearly three decades. Natalie is a wife of 20 years to her husband Micah, and a mother of four children. Natalie is also a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse at the local hospital for 15 years. She teaches Kindergarten and First grade at Pioneer Christian School, sings in her church’s praise and worship band and enjoys officiating high school basketball games. Outgoing and personable she thrives on social interactions. Participating in the Picketwire through acting and set building has brought joy not only to her own life but also to her husband and children, all of whom have grown to love the theatre and this cherished organization.

Alicia Brereton has been involved with the Picketwire Center as a parent volunteer with her daughter Montana. She is newer to the Board of Directors and is eager to help out and learn the duties. Alicia has experience with people and scheduling as a Registered Medical Assistant with the hospital.

Cynthia Fazio

Rena Ruiz has been involved in the performing arts for 20 years participating in theatre, dance, band, and choir. She currently owns and directs her own performing arts studio, Ruiz Arts, where she offers classes in dance, voice, and acting. Rena has been involved with various productions aspects like lights, sound, costuming and box office duties. She is no strange to working as a team to create, produce, and finalze.