Creede U.S.A. Review: Small Town America Today

Kahane Corn Cooperman’s film Creede, U.S.A. gives an outside, unbiased view of an ordinary small town on the verge of great changes.

The Creede Repertory Theater company was founded in 1966 by theater students at the University of Kansas. They answered an ad to come to Creede to provide some cultural fulfillment to the dying town. For the residents of Creede, this was one of their first exposures to the outside world, hearing new stories and gaining new perspectives on life. This meant the times were changing and fast, but the community still gathered around and listened to what the outsiders had to say. One of the students who started the company is acclaimed actor Mandy Patinkin, who provides an earnest, heartfelt introduction to the town in the film’s opening scenes. 

Creede, U.S.A. can serve as a microcosm of the broader United States. As LGBTQ rights became a hot button issue in the last few decades, the theater community has served as the main bastion for those people as a means of expressing themselves. Several children in Creede are even non-binary, identifying as neither male nor female. This means they can use theater as an outlet for performance, where nobody will judge them for playing whatever roles they want. Theater is a socially acceptable outlet for LGBT kids to find their identity, and making their plight visible has allowed the community to come together and support them.  

However, some of these issues have pushback from parents, as seen in local school board meetings covered by the movie. While Creede votes more conservative in national elections, many of the parents and parent groups are liberal, particularly when it comes to dealing with identity issues around their children. The more conservative groups tend to be those who lived in Creede before the theater company, and holding true to their traditional values. Even so, at the meetings they learn about the other side and are able to make accommodations for these youths and the theater company as a safe space for them. 

In terms of filmmaking, Creede, U.S.A. does not push any boundaries or make any statements. This is just a “slice of life” story about a town going through changes. The stories are presented in a neutral manner, neither praising nor condemning any one side. It is more like a newspaper report than a political statement, telling about the history of the town and how it has changed. It is not the director’s place to argue, but rather to illustrate what has been occurring in the town since the establishment of the theater company. While viewers may disagree on some of the issues presented, it is still important to see how they are handled in Creede so we may learn from the town. 

Creede, U.S.A. is less about social issues, and more about the influence of theater in rural America. Having such a small town find unity despite major political divides is a lesson we can stand to learn in this hyper-partisan age. It is a decent sentiment and a nice story to tell about one small town. There are many cities like Creede, but the unique story surrounding this city is worth telling. 

Creede U.S.A. had its World Premiere at SXSW on March 9, 2025 and will be screened again on March 10-\3. Read our SXSW reviews and our list of films to watch at SXSW 2025!