Andrea Garrett, managing director of Steel City Theater Company, and two student performers told the Pueblo City Council that the nonprofit provides low‑cost performing‑arts training and community programming and asked city leaders to consider the company when discretionary funding is allocated.

Ten‑year‑old Daniella told the council the theater ‘‘accepts you for who you are’’ and directly asked officials to ‘‘Please help us save the theater.’’ Seventeen‑year‑old Macy described growing from a shy child into a teacher and performer at Steel City and said the organization ‘‘has changed my life.’’ Garrett described the company’s mission to create connection and reduce social isolation and urged councilors to keep arts organizations in mind as opportunities for economic‑development and community funding arise.

Garrett provided program details: weekly performing‑arts academy sessions draw about 180 students on Fridays; she said summer VIP camps run two weeks (June and July), operate 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., cost $100 per week, and can accommodate about 100 children per camp given current space limits. Garrett said weekly class fees are minimal (she referenced $6 per class and an average figure of about $34 per week for lesson packages), that Chief Theater rent is about $1,500 per month and the separate education building costs about $7,300 per month, and that the company received a recent $100,000 Department of Local Affairs grant. Garrett said Steel City has launched a $100,000 fundraising campaign to address staffing needs and had raised about $10,000 at the time of the presentation.

Councilors asked about partnerships with local school districts and grant opportunities; Garrett said Steel City has worked with some district teachers and programs over the years but that district staffing changes affect relationships and outreach. Council members suggested pursuing joint city‑county grant opportunities (such as CSAC) and encouraged the public to attend performances and consider donations.

Garrett asked officials to consider Petco and other economic‑development funds as possibilities for arts funding and said Steel City provides both youth workforce experience and low‑cost arts education for families. The council thanked the presenters and praised the students’ testimony.