I am Rory Pierce, you probably figured that out from my name under my picture. You can often find me at the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center ~ MAPAC, in the old Meyer Hardware building. I am either working in the Box Office— give us a call, I’m happy to help!— or in rehearsal for a show I am in, or directing. I’ve been hanging around Golden quite a bit for the last 10-plus years, and I can’t think of a better place to be.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career/accomplishments. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been working in Golden for over 35 years. I worked at the Heritage Square Music Hall for nearly 25 years, from 1989 to 2013, and I will forever treasure all of the time I was there. The people I got to work with were absolutely amazing, and it makes me smile just to think of them: T.J. Mullin, Alex Crawford, Randy Johnson, Annie Dwyer, Johnette Toye, Eric Weinstein, Kira Cauthorn, Renato Lunnon, just to name a few. They will always be a part of my history, and I can’t thank them enough for being a major part of my life. I wish I could list them all, but there are too many wonderful people to name here. All we did at the Music Hall was make people laugh, and we had so much fun doing it! I have been at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center ~ MAPAC for over 10 years, since May of 2014. My first production there was “The Fantasticks”! I have done many more since then, including “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Fun Home” and “Cabaret,” to name a few. I have even had the pleasure of directing a few of the main stage shows: “Moon Over Buffalo,” “I Hate Hamlet” and “A Christmas Story,” two times! Of course, my biggest accomplishment has probably been the Miners Alley Theatre for Young Audiences ~ MATYA. I was given the opportunity to start the Children’s Theatre at the Music Hall in 1991, so when the Music Hall closed and I started at what was then Miners Alley Playhouse, they asked if I would be interested in starting a Children’s Theatre here—and I jumped at the chance! Since 2015, we have done 38 different productions of 21 different plays. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing an audience full of kids enjoying a play with their friends and families. It has been my honor to be a part of introducing kids to the theater and making it fun for the whole family.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants or breweries in our community?
Golden has so many great restaurants! Abejas is definitely one of my favorites. The food there is amazing. The Buffalo Rose and The Old Capitol Grill are wonderful, it’s hard to go wrong with a burger at Bob’s Atomic, and the new addition of Denver Biscuit Co./Atomic Cowboy/Fat Sully’s and King of Wings makes the selection hard to make. We are so lucky to have New Terrain and Golden City Brewery around with all of their great beers. I know I’ve missed some, but a guy can only eat and drink so much! And, for dessert, you can’t go wrong with Goldmine Cupcakes and Goozell Frozen Yogurt.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My wife and I moved here from South Dakota in 1985, and by 1989, I was working in Golden at the Heritage Square Music Hall. After spending nearly 25 years at the Music Hall, I started at Miners Alley Playhouse in downtown Golden. I have been there ever since and couldn’t be happier.
Q: What is one of your favorite hiking or biking trails?
I really enjoy walking along the Clear Creek Greenway that follows Clear Creek from Golden down past Wheat Ridge. It’s easy access and close to home. I even ride my bike to work sometimes — though not nearly often enough — since it’s a pretty straight shot from home to work at MAPAC.
Q: What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
Keep following your dreams! It’s what I have done since I was 13, and it has served me well. It got me out to Colorado, it got me started at the Music Hall, and it has led me to MAPAC here in Golden. Not much I would change on that journey.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Now that the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center is in our new location, I really miss Meyer Hardware. I love the new space, but I wish Golden had a hardware store like Meyer Hardware. And, of course, I will always miss the Heritage Square Music Hall! Having spent nearly 25 years there entertaining young and old alike, and visiting with so many people who came there over the years, it will always hold a very special place in my memories and my heart!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about Golden is that it still strives to be a community that includes everyone. It is a small town that is getting bigger, but hasn’t forgotten its roots, the community it was founded upon and the community it still supports. MAPAC is lucky to be in Golden, and I am truly glad that Golden has supported us for so many years and will continue to support the arts for many years to come.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That’s a good question! I have spent so many years talking to so many people who have come to see me in shows here in Golden that I think I’ve already shared the most interesting things about myself. I come from a large family, I love working with kids, I am honored to have been able to perform in front of so many people for so many years… maybe the one thing a lot of people don’t know is I am into collecting medieval weaponry, mostly swords, but I’m looking into adding some axes and spears to my collection.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
People. People I meet every day. In particular, children. They see the world with a freshness and clarity that I try to emulate. Everything is new, in the eyes of a child, and I want to keep the appreciation and wonder of the world in my heart the way kids do.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family. Friends. Happiness. If you have the first two, the third is usually not far behind.