The 5 Best Performing Arts Groups Around Summit County

Performing arts groups are essential threads in Summit County’s cultural fabric—bringing drama, music, workshops, community engagement and education to audiences of all kinds. In the Best of Summit, these groups stood out not just for their productions, but for their vision, reach and ability to make performance feel accessible and meaningful. Below are profiles of this year’s finalists in the Performing Arts Group category.

Theatre SilCo

Theatre SilCo (formerly the Lake Dillon Theatre Company) has built its reputation on being both intimate and ambitious. For over 29 years it has produced professional theater in Summit County, delivering a Main Stage Season filled with dramas, comedies, musicals and provocative works. Its mission emphasizes “unique and accessible cultural experiences,” which shows up in its dual-language youth program, scholarships for those in need, strong educational classes and outreach events. Leadership has grown the organization from a modest regional theater into one with a $2.4 million budget. It’s a place where theatre meets community—not a distant stage, but a local heartbeat.

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre combines community roots with a lasting history—over 50 years strong it has served Summit County through both local and professional theatrical productions, youth classes, summer camps and workshops. Their home, the Breckenridge Theater, seats about 137 people after several renovations, giving shows a cozy, engaging atmosphere. The space also supports technological upgrades, film screenings, speaker series and arts district events. In short, BBT doesn’t limit itself to plays: it’s a hub where learning, performance, and public culture intersect.

National Repertory Orchestra (NRO)

For those who appreciate orchestral breadth, the National Repertory Orchestra offers a feast of music every summer. With more than 60 years of history, NRO selects about 80 musicians each year for its prestigious, tuition-free fellowship program. Over a summer season, the orchestra performs upwards of 18 full‐concerts, plus well over 85 free events and community engagement programs across Summit County and beyond. Their work includes instrument “petting zoos,” scholarships, youth outreach and education that stretch far beyond the concert hall. NRO is where excellence meets generosity.

Thanks, ChatGPT.