Nat Gold Players
Educating, entertaining, and inspiring through performing arts
Who knew that the key to bringing life back to a post-COVID community would involve scaring the living daylights out of its people? Years ago, when Nat Gold Players (NGP) first started its partnership with the local Masonic Lodge to turn their historic building into a premier Halloween Haunted House, it was a fundraiser for both organizations. It would become far more for the community and for the participants.
Once the COVID restrictions were lifted which had forbidden public performances, the annual Haunted House was one of the first public events held in Las Vegas. That event attracted over 1,100 attendees, making it one of the most successful public performances in the community. In an unexpected way, it resuscitated a sense of community and enthusiasm for life after long isolation for its residents, human interaction frequently limited to those within each household or the confines of a computer screen and teleconferencing. Not only was it successful in overall numbers, but it continued and continues to be one of the most successful cross-cultural audience attractions in the minority-majority area.
The Haunted House offers just one example of NGP’s efforts to help its community through difficult times. For several months, during the prolonged evacuations tied to the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in 2022 NGP, like most everything else in area, shut down for several months. The acting executive director’s house was one of hundreds of homes burned, and for some months she lived the life of a vagabond, including living for a time outside of the state. It was impossible to operate during that time, but as soon as performances became possible again, NGP created original materials, largely through living history events in collaboration with Fort Union National Monument and the Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation (CCHP). Characters created by NGP and brought to life by its actors reminded the community that the people of northern New Mexico have long been resilient and continue to be so during modern challenges.
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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited local nonprofits to submit stories related to our July topic of Arts & Culture
La Clínica del Pueblo de Río Arriba
La Clínica del Pueblo de Río Arriba has been a trusted healthcare provider in northern New Mexico for more than 50 years, ensuring families in rural and remote communities can access quality, culturally responsive care close to home. Serving as a primary source of care for infants, toddlers, and caregivers in Rio Arriba County, the clinic recently launched La Clínica Baby Essentials — a new “baby bank” offering essential supplies, parenting education, and infant health screenings.
The Food Depot
Families need more than groceries to stay healthy and stable. That is why The Food Depot also operates Diaper Depot, providing diapers, wipes, and resources to hundreds of families each month. This wraparound program supports household well-being and helps families stay on a stronger path toward food security.
McCurdy Ministries
Local nonprofit McCurdy Ministries shares their story, including the early childhood programs that support young children and families in the Española Valley, offering care, education, and essential resources during critical early years.
