Live Arts Santa Fe Breaks Down Barriers Through Bold Storytelling
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
Theater has always been about bringing people together. Whether through laughter, music, drama, or spectacle, the performing arts create shared experiences that encourage audiences to see the world—and one another—from a different perspective. For Live Arts Santa Fe, that idea extends far beyond the stage. The organization has built its identity around making theater more accessible, more inclusive, and more reflective of the diverse community it serves.
What began as an effort to preserve a cherished performance space has evolved into one of Northern New Mexico's most innovative arts organizations, producing everything from cabaret performances and immersive experiences to original productions that celebrate voices often underrepresented in traditional theater. Today, Live Arts Santa Fe continues to prove that the arts flourish when everyone has a seat at the table—and an opportunity to step into the spotlight. Executive Director Joshua Billiter explains that the organization's original purpose was surprisingly focused. "Live Arts Santa Fe started with a pretty small mission," he said. "It was to revitalize and renovate the Greer Garson Theater Center."
The organization was founded by alumni and former staff members following the closure of the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. What began as an effort to preserve an important cultural landmark soon expanded into something much greater.
"From there, we grew into a mission of breaking down the barriers to the performing arts," Billiter said.
Those barriers exist in many forms. For some, it's the cost of attending live performances. For others, it's finding opportunities to perform, direct, design, or simply feel welcomed into the artistic community. Live Arts Santa Fe has made removing those obstacles a guiding principle, creating programming that embraces artists and audiences of every background and experience level.
That commitment to accessibility has resulted in an impressive variety of productions, each with its own personality while remaining connected by a common goal: bringing people together through creativity. Among the organization's most recognizable productions is Coco's Cabaret, a colorful and energetic show that has quickly become a favorite among audiences. What began as a modest community cabaret has transformed into one of Santa Fe's most dynamic theatrical experiences.
Board member Mark Westberg recalls its humble beginnings as an open-mic style performance intended to encourage local artists to share their talents. "It really centered around accessibility for community performers," he explained.
As interest grew, so did the show's ambition.
With creative collaborator Malcolm leading artistic direction, the production evolved into an evening filled with music, theatricality, humor, and audience interaction. Today, Coco's Cabaret embraces a spirit of joyful celebration where performers and audiences become part of the same shared experience. Rather than watching from a distance, guests are invited into the performance itself, creating an atmosphere that feels less like a traditional theater production and more like a community celebration.
While Malcolm focuses on curating performers and developing each show's artistic identity, Billiter oversees much of the production's business operations. The creative process, however, remains highly collaborative.
Ideas for upcoming themes often begin as simple conversations before developing into full-scale productions.
One such discussion inspired the upcoming season, which features six uniquely themed cabaret performances designed to keep audiences returning throughout the year. Among them is Pop-Off, a high-energy celebration of pop music. Halloween brings an "Upside Down" dance party inspired by Stranger Things, while February introduces Black Magic, a production celebrating Black History Month through music and performance. Another show, Back to the Future, will take audiences on a musical journey through the decades, highlighting songs that have shaped generations. Even as future productions continue to take shape, the collaborative spirit behind each performance remains constant.
That willingness to experiment has become one of Live Arts Santa Fe's greatest strengths.
Rather than limiting itself to one style of theater or one type of audience, the organization embraces a broad range of artistic voices. Comedy, cabaret, music, drama, and community performance all have a place under its banner. The result is a season that feels fresh, unpredictable, and welcoming to newcomers while continuing to engage longtime theater supporters.
For Billiter and Westberg, success is measured not only by sold-out performances but also by the opportunities created for local artists. Every production provides another chance for performers, technicians, musicians, and creatives to develop their craft while building lasting relationships within Santa Fe's thriving arts community.
That philosophy reflects the organization's roots.
Founded by individuals determined to preserve an artistic legacy following the closure of a beloved university, Live Arts Santa Fe has grown into an organization focused not on what was lost, but on what can still be created. Its productions continue to demonstrate that theater is most powerful when it reflects the community around it—celebrating different perspectives, encouraging collaboration, and making space for new voices to emerge.
As New Mexico's performing arts scene continues to evolve, Live Arts Santa Fe remains committed to creating experiences that entertain while fostering genuine human connection. Whether audiences attend a lively cabaret, a theatrical production, or one of the organization's many community-focused events, they become part of something larger than a single performance. They become part of a creative movement dedicated to ensuring that the arts remain accessible, inclusive, and vibrant for generations to come.
To learn more about Live Arts Santa Fe, upcoming productions, and opportunities to get involved, visit LiveArtsSantaFe.org.
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