A newly founded nonprofit is bringing more community theater and cultural programming to the Tri-Lakes area.

Monument residents Anne Andrews and Carrie Johnson, with Colorado Springs resident Tonya Hagins, founded Encore Community Arts last spring aiming to foster cultural enrichment and collaboration across the Tri-Lakes community. Andrews and Johnson serve as the executive directors while Hagins is the organization’s chief financial officer.

Encore’s first theatrical outing was earlier this year with a production of Fairytale Courtroom. Its second production, “Murder on the 518” by Michelle Giles, hits the boards Sept. 12-13 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument.

“Murder on the 518” is a fast-paced, family-friendly mystery-comedy set aboard the 518 train traveling west to Los Angeles. On board is a lively group of eccentric passengers, each with their own quirks and secrets. Some are chasing big business deals, others are seeking relaxation or hoping to find fame in Hollywood.

The seemingly routine trip takes a dramatic turn when a rockslide damages the tracks, leaving the train stranded. As tensions rise among the colorful mix of travelers, shocking discoveries follow, and murder victims begin to appear. With everyone a potential suspect and no way to escape, the passengers must untangle the chaos and confront the possibility of a murderer in their midst.

True to the tradition of classic whodunits, the play is packed with red herrings, unexpected twists and laugh-out-loud moments that keep audiences engaged from start to finish. At approximately 90 minutes long, including an intermission, “Murder on the 518” offers a lighthearted yet thrilling night of community theater.

Directors Andrews and Johnson said involving both children and adults has created a collaborative learning environment for the cast, which ranges from age 11 to adult.

The three founding members of Encore, each with long-standing involvement in local theater and youth arts programs, came together around a shared belief that the Tri-Lakes region was ready for a dedicated nonprofit arts organization of its own.

Andrews and Johnson had been active in area schools and church productions, frequently directing and coaching children’s theater. Hagins, with a background in nonprofit finance, joined the effort to give the group a strong organizational foundation. They began meeting in early 2025, inspired by conversations with community leaders, including Tamara Schwartz and Pastor Nicole Ferry, about the need for accessible, family-centered theater in northern El Paso County.

“Community is our passion and having the opportunity to work with Tamara Schwartz and Pastor Nicole to create a strong foundation for the arts in the Tri-Lakes has been amazing,” Johnson said.

The founders envisioned an organization which would not only stage plays but also create a space where people of all ages and abilities could participate in the arts.

Encore’s debut production, staged in spring 2025, was designed to test the model with a lighthearted, family-oriented play which included actors from a wide range of backgrounds. The positive reception from audiences encouraged the founders to move forward with larger shows and to establish Encore as a 501©(3) official nonprofit.

Today, Encore Community Arts describes itself as dedicated to “cultural enrichment and collaboration,” with plans to expand into workshops, educational programming and partnerships with other local organizations in the Tri-Lakes area and beyond.