Colorado characters of the craft spring 2026

Short profiles of a dancer, a playwright, a brewer and a chef you should get to know

Compiled by the Thirst Team

We occasionally like to highlight some interesting folks crafting Colorado experiences and arts. Some answers have been edited for clarity and length. If you know someone who belongs on our Characters of the Craft pages, let us know.

Morgan Sicklick

Professional dancer with Wonderbound; freelance choreographer
Age: 34

What do you love about your job? I love telling stories, inhabiting characters, and creating worlds for people to explore, both individually and collectively, through movement. There’s something very special about sharing space and time with other artists and audiences. Both in the creation process and in live performance, I’m constantly reminded of the magic and vulnerability of that experience, and of how beautiful it can be to get lost in the present moment.

What is the hardest part of your job? Being a dancer and choreographer is very physical, so keeping my body as pain-free and mobile as possible has become a greater challenge the older I get. I’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful body workers and practitioners over the years, including physical therapists, massage therapists, Pilates instructors, and acupuncturists. Their expertise has been invaluable as I’ve navigated different injuries and changes in my body. 

What gets you out of bed in the morning? My almost 10-year-old tuxedo cat, Berry, loves to wake me up with her adorable meows, nose rubs and biscuit-making. If I’m quiet and still enough that Berry wants to spend a little more time sleeping before breakfast, I enjoy when the sun peers through my window in the mornings.

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? Growing up, my two younger sisters and I loved to put on fully produced performances for my parents. We choreographed dances, took Polaroid pictures for homemade programs, designed backdrops out of construction paper and used flashlights for special lighting effects. It's one of my favorite childhood memories!

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? This may not seem like your typical Colorado staycation, but I really enjoy Fort Collins. I have some close friends who live up there, and I love spending time with them. I do usually try to avoid I-25 traffic when I visit, but I find the drive calming and feel like the slightly slower pace helps me reset my body and mind. 

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? I’m a huge foodie, so I have many favorite spots, but one of my staples is Teller’s Taproom & Kitchen in Applewood. They host a great trivia night every Monday. I try to make it there once a month with a group of friends who have been frequenting Teller’s for at least 10 years. They also decorate the entire restaurant for every holiday, have fun seasonal food and drink offerings, and have the best homemade ranch dip!

---

Chris Lane

Jack of All Beer, GM, Renegade Brewing, Denver
Age: 37

What do you love about your job? It’s never boring, that’s for sure. I enjoy the fact that every day is a little different and the amount of people I get to interact with is constantly evolving. The beer aspect is pretty cool too, seeing something go from an idea, to production, to people smiling while drinking it, brings me joy.

What is the hardest part of your job? Inventory is probably the most annoying part of my job, but I would say the hardest part is constantly finding things and ways to bring people in. Whether it’s a cooking class, a chocolate pairing, a book or game club, or an open mic night. We are constantly hosting events and throwing things at the wall to see what our customers are enjoying and interested in.  

What gets you out of bed in the morning? A very fluffy, very loving husky/German shepherd, who likely has to go to the bathroom. But all jokes aside, I love what I do, and I love the people I get to do it with. When you build a team and relationships forged on mutual respect and trust, it’s easy to come to work and enjoy the squad you’ve compiled.  

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? I come from a large Italian family. I think part of my customer service skills were forged watching my Nana cook and take care of our entire family every Sunday for Sunday Dinner. I’ve tried to emulate that with the way I do things at Renegade. Take care of your people, your family, and they will take care of you.  

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? I played a hockey tournament on Lake Georgetown a few years ago, and really enjoyed staying out there. Truthfully, I would be happy almost anywhere in Colorado, with my dog, some good vibes and my lovely girlfriend Samantha. 

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? Carmine Lonardo’s Italian Deli in Lakewood. If you are not familiar, do yourself a favor and get some of the sausage. Or, if you are just in the mood for a sandwich, grab the Italian. I highly recommend it. King of Wings in Wheat Ridge and Little Arthur’s Hoagies in Denver are in my weekly rotation as well.

---

Hunter Smith

Executive chef/owner, Big Delicious Catering, Vail
Age: 43

What do you love about your job? I prefer catering to being a restaurant chef (which I did for over a decade) because I get to personally meet guests and talk to them about the experience they had.

What is the hardest part of your job? I’m lucky enough that I get to hire whoever I want, whenever I want and I love working with my friends. But sometimes managing your friends is difficult because finding the line between friendship and boss is sometimes difficult.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Powder days!

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know? If they are in your circle there are no secrets.  

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why? Steamboat Springs. It’s my hometown so I always like being there.

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? The Wolf’s Tailor in Denver.

---

Steven J. Burge

Marketing for Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton; playwright for Local Theater Company in Boulder; Actors’ Equity Association actor 

Age:  Old enough that I don’t talk about that anymore. (How dare you?) 

What do you love about your job?  The people.

What is the hardest part of your job?  The people.  

What gets you out of bed in the morning? I have to pee.

What’s one thing about yourself that most people in your circle wouldn’t know?  I’m colorblind. Red-green deficient and blue-yellow deficient.

What would be your favorite Colorado staycation destination? Why?  A couple years ago, I spent a few winter days in Glenwood Springs, floating in the Hot Springs. My favorite was the Dead Sea inspired pool. I’d love to go back!

What’s one of your favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado? Just one? Impossible! You know what? I can do this with a little bit of a cheat. One of my favorite places to eat or drink in Colorado is  Main Street Littleton. We’ve got Cencalli Taqueria – delicious Mexican cuisine, prepared and served by THE KINDEST people on Main Street. Then there’s Black + Haus Tavern – delicious American fare, also prepared and served by THE KINDEST people on Main Street. And last but certainly not least, Grande Station – a social bistro! Brunch. Lunch. Or dinner. You can’t go wrong. And believe it or not, everything is prepared and served by THE KINDEST people on Main Street.