Colorado New Play Summit - Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Feb 14 & 15, 2026 HELEN BONFILS THEATRE COMPLEX MAP

THE COLORADO NEW PLAY SUMMIT

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“Arguably local theater’s premiere event” – The Denver Post

Our stories start with you… Watching a play spring to life on stage might make you believe in magic. But before a story can sweep you off into another world, it takes a whole lot of collaboration to make it possible. After coaxing an idea into a script, playwrights can rely on the expertise of dramaturgs, directors, and actors to offer valuable insights during their rewriting process. But nothing compares to presenting a piece to a live audience, where the true test of new ideas can be measured in the real-time reactions of a crowd.

At the Colorado New Play Summit, it’s your time to shine as you meet some of theatre’s most promising writers while helping them fine-tune their work. Listen to play readings by fabulous actors, share your feedback on these works in-progress, and enjoy two fully produced Theatre Company productions: the world premieres of Cowboys and East Indians and Godspeed, both of which were featured readings at the 2024 Summit.

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FEATURED READING: BOGFRIENDS

bogfriends by jose sebastian alberdi
Tanner and Archie work at a museum. Finn and Cillian are Americans in Ireland. Osgar and Irial died a long (long) time ago. Six people coupled—and uncoupled—across place, time, and culture by an Irish bog that has been around for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. bogfriends is a theatrical exploration of power-dynamics, love, and preserving dead things (or trying to).

jose sebastian alberdi
(he/him)

jose sebastian alberdi is a playwright (with TV aspirations) originally from San Diego, CA. Writing developed with: the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center (2023 National Playwrights Conference), MacDowell (Fellowship), Page 73 (Fellowship, Writers’ Group), Clubbed Thumb (Early Career Writers’ Group 23/24), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Youngblood), Colt Coeur (Residency), The Orchard Project (Greenhouse Lab, Episodic Lab, Homegrown x Sony TV Lab), Fresh Ground Pepper (BRB Eco-Week), the Huntington Theatre Company (Dream Boston), South Coast Repertory (Elizabeth George Commission, NewSCRipts), Exquisite Corpse Company (Writer’s Lab), Lambda Literary (Writer’s Retreat), and more. Upcoming productions: ¡Mamágua! (Rorschach Theatre, 2025). MFA: NYU.

FEATURED READING: HOW TO CONQUER AMERICA: A MOSTLY TRUE HISTORY OF YOGURT

How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt by David Myers
Arlene Hoffman is a pro at controlling the narrative. As an ambitious research assistant in 1975, she created the ad campaign that transformed yogurt from a weird foreign laxative into a lucrative American phenomenon. It would be a success story for the ages—it would—if only her dead dad could stay on script. Can Arlene wrangle this victory lap back on course, or will her father unravel the story she’s written for herself? How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt wrestles with culture, family, and appropriation in a heartfelt, dairy-filled take on the American Dream.

David Myers

David Myers writes for the stage and screen. His plays have been developed at Center Theater Group, Berkeley Rep, South Coast Rep, The Skylight Theater, Labyrinth Theater Co. and more. Produced in London at Riverside Studios, in NYC at Rising Phoenix Rep, and in Denver with Local Theatre Co. For TV, he’s worked on “The Resident” (Fox), “Devil in Ohio” (Netflix), “Cruel Summer” (Hulu), “Cross” (Amazon) and “The Greatest” (Amazon). MFA, UCSD. BA, Brown University. Originally from Houston, Texas, David writes about impossible dreamers wrestling with their place in history.

FEATURED READING: IF GOD WERE BLUE

If God Were Blue by Carey Perloff
In the gorgeous and cutthroat world of Renaissance Rome, the Church stokes the flames of artistic rivalry by offering two artists a shot at a single commission. Desperate to win, Sebastiano enlists the help of Michelangelo to best their mutual rival, Raphael. But it’s Sebastiano’s wife, a poet named Beatrice, who is determined to shape the competition. Money, faith, power, gender, and censorship collide in If God Were Blue, unveiling the endlessly messy and mysterious process by which art gets made.

Carey Perloff

Carey Perloff is a director, playwright, producer, and educator. Artistic Director Emerita of A.C.T. Recent/current directing: As You Like It, Leopoldstadt, Waste, The Oedipus Project, Iphigenia in Tauris, The Lehman Trilogy, Ghosts, Pale Fire, Merchant of Venice, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. As a playwright: Vienna, Vienna, Vienna (Finalist, 2023 Jewish Plays Project), If God Were Blue (commissioned by Bogliasco Foundation), Edgardo or White Fire (WTF commission, Finalist O’Neill 2022), Higher (Laurie Award), Luminescence Dating (BATC Best Play), Kinship (WTF) and The Fit. Perloff is the author of Beautiful Chaos: A Life in the Theater and Pinter and Stoppard: A Director’s View (2022).

FEATURED READING: RUST ON BONE

Rust on Bone by Bianca Sams
Trapped by a stranger in her office, psychologist Dr. Devra Mendoza must use all her professional training to maneuver her way to safety. But with lives at risk, including her own, Devra’s pushed to her limit and forced to reckon with truths she took for granted—about the world, her work, and herself. An intense new thriller, Rust on Bone traverses the minefield of unaddressed trauma and lays bare the personal cost of war.

Bianca Sams

Bianca Sams is a Writer/Actor who writes in different genres and mediums (plays, TV, novels, and film). Her work is often described as lyrical investigations of found stories out of today’s headlines or the pages of history that ask audiences to face their own complex love affair with misery. She’s drawn to stories that question the roles of women, ethnicity, and family in modern society. Awards include Ingram New Works Fellow, Warner Brothers TV Workshop, Tracking Board Young & Hungry List, WriteHerList, and Tracking Board HIT LIST. She previously worked on “Training Day,” “The Originals,” “Titans,” “Charmed,” and “Sweet Magnolias.” Bianca’s represented by Echo Lake Management, FKKS & Verve.

WORLD PREMIERE: THE RESERVOIR

The Reservoir by Jake Brasch
Josh’s life is a mess. He’s come home to Denver to get his life together but can’t manage to stay sober. Desperate for comradery, Josh resolves to bring his grandparents along with him on the road to recovery. He pressures them into playing memory games. He drags them to Jazzercise classes. But when Josh can no longer help his grandparents, they begin to help him.

The Reservoir, by Denver-born Jake Brasch, left audiences buzzing at the 2023 Colorado New Play Summit. Join us for the World Premiere production of this hilarious and heartbreaking story at the DCPA! 

Jake Brasch
(he/they)

Jake Brasch is a writer + actor + composer + clown and a recent graduate from the playwriting program at The Juilliard School. The World Premiere of their play The Reservoir will be presented in 2025 as a co-production between the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Alliance Theatre, and Geffen Playhouse. Jake won the Kennedy Center’s 2024 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and is the inaugural recipient of the 2024 Terrence McNally Recovery Commission. They’re a 2024 Page 73 Writers Group member, and a 2023-2024 Alliance/Kendeda Finalist, and a recent graduate from Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Youngblood. Jake holds commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club, The Acting Company, and the EST/Sloan Project. He’s thrilled to make his professional playwriting debut in his hometown. BFA: NYU Tisch.

WORLD PREMIERE: THE SUFFRAGETTE’S MURDER

The Suffragette’s Murder by Sandy Rustin
On the morning of July 5, 1857, an eclectic group of tenants bustle about their Manhattan boarding house, arranging the final details of a clever scheme they hope to pull off in the name of the budding women’s suffrage movement. As they prepare to host an important secret gathering, they receive an unexpected visit from a constable. One of the tenants has been murdered.
The Suffragette’s Murder, a farcical who-done-it by Sandy Rustin (Clue, Broadway’s The Cottage) and a runaway audience favorite at the 2023 Colorado New Play Summit, makes its highly anticipated world premiere at the Denver Center!

Sandy Rustin
(she/her)

Sandy Rustin is one of the “most produced playwrights” in America (American Theatre Magazine). Sandy’s comedy, THE COTTAGE marked her Broadway debut last year. Her stage adaptations of Clue and Mystic pizza will tour the U.S. in 2025. Her recent adaptation of DEAR WORLD was named a NY Times Critic’s Pick. Sandy’s show, Now never knows tomorrow, is in development with Grammy winner, Edie Brickell. She has written for Disney, STX Entertainment, Primary Wave Music, and Mattel. Other works: LOCH NESS, RATED P … FOR PARENTHOOD, ELIJAH, STRUCK, ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE, and more. Love to Evan, Isaac & Charlie. www.sandyrustin.com @sandyrustin_

TICKET OPTIONS

Full Summit packages are currently sold out. Individual tickets to featured readings and events are available through our A La Carte ticket option starting at just $17.25*!

	Regular Price Starting Jan 13	Early Bird Price Buy before 11:59pm on Jan 5 – SOLD OUT
DCPA Theatre Company Subscribers	$199* *Total package price reflects a base price of $190 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $9 service fee.	~~$184~~ *Total package price reflects a base price of $175 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $9 service fee.
General Admission	$314* *Total package price reflects a base price of $290 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $24 service fee.	~~$287.50~~ *Total package price reflects a base price of $265 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $22.50 service fee.
Students	$186.20* *Total package price reflects a base price of $173 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $13.20 service fee.
Ages 35 & Under	$205* *Total package price reflects a base price of $190 (inclusive of applicable 10% city seat tax) plus a $15 service fee.

GET TICKETS

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

11am: Registration in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby

11:30am: Lunch in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby

12:30pm: First new play readings

Orange Track: bogfriends in the Jones Theatre
Blue Track: How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt in the Singleton Theatre

3:30pm: Second new play readings

Orange Track: If God Were Blue in the Singleton Theatre
Blue Track: Rust on Bone in the Jones Theatre

6:30-7:45pm: Summit Dinner in the Chambers Grant Salon

8pm: Full Production – The Reservoir in the Singleton Theatre

10:00pm: Playwrights’ Slam in the Jones Theatre

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

9:30am: High School Playwriting Competition in the Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre

11:30am: Lunch in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby

12:30pm: Third new play readings

Orange Track: How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt in the Singleton Theatre
Blue Track: bogfriends in the Jones Theatre

3:30pm: Fourth new play readings

Orange Track: Rust on Bone in the Jones Theatre
Blue Track: If God Were Blue in the Singleton Theatre

Dinner on your own

8pm: Full Production – The Suffragette’s Murder in the Kilstrom Theatre

9:30pm: Summit Wrap Party in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby

MEET THE ACTORS

VIEW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please feel free to contact us with any other questions not answered here.

About the Summit Tickets TRAVEL

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What is a reading?
New play readings are how we showcase the essence of a story without production elements like scenery, staging, lights and costumes. Think of it like watching a live radio program being recorded. Our actors stand on stage, scripts handy, and perform the lines with all of the passion of a final production. The audience gets all of the emotion of a fully-produced performance, just stripped down. This allows the playwright, director and audience to focus entirely on the language and story.

Who are the industry attendees?
Every year the Colorado New Play Summit attracts theatre industry leaders and artists from over 20 states. This includes playwrights, directors, actors, dramaturgs, artistic directors, literary managers, casting directors, managers, agents and other representatives from theatre companies throughout the country. Click here to view a list of industry leaders and artists who attended the 2025 Colorado New Play Summit.

How can I submit a play to be considered for the future?
Thank you for your interest in sharing your work with the Denver Center Theatre Company. To learn more about our Play Submission process, click here.

Do I get to choose a seat?
Readings and events are general admission, so you will get to choose your seat when you arrive. Our theatres are intimate enough that every seat will give you a great view of the action, but if you’d like to find somewhere to sit with a group, we recommend arriving at the reading at least 15 minutes early. The world premieres will have assigned seats; all of the tickets in your order will be seated together.

What are the Orange and Blue Tracks? Which should I choose?
Summit Weekend offers two tracks — orange and blue — which are simply the order in which you’ll see the readings. Both tracks include all readings and events, but due to the sizes of our theatres, we have to split the size of our audience into two groups that see different plays concurrently. If you’re attending the Summit with a group, make sure you buy tickets to the same track.

Will I get physical tickets or is there Will Call?
A La Carte Summit Weekend buyers may opt-in to receive a name badge, but will still receive individual tickets for their events.

Those with all-inclusive passes may pick up their badges and world premiere tickets at registration upon arrival. Please wear your badge to gain entry to all events. Registration will be located inside the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex. If you are arriving late for Summit Weekend or have any questions during the Summit, please see a box office agent. The main ticket counter is located inside the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex.

How do I get to the Summit?
All of our events will be located in the Denver Performing Arts Complex in downtown Denver. The intersection of 14th and Curtis streets is a good pick-up and drop-off location for all venues. Most Summit events take place in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex.

Using a map app? Our exact address is 1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204.

Where should I stay for the Summit?
As a Summit attendee, you get exclusive Summit discount rates at nearby partner hotels. Check back here for details at a later date.

For hotel options, check out our Preferred Partner Hotels.

How can I get around Denver?
Avoid the cost and hassle of parking downtown with these options:

CAR TRANSPORTATION:

Ride-sharing Services: Both Lyft and Uber operate in Denver.
Taxis: A taxi stand is available just across 14th Street at The Curtis Hotel. Or, our staff is happy to call a cab from the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Bus: RTD offers more than 15 bus routes that pick up and drop off within one block of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. When planning your route to the Complex, put in “Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street” as your cross streets to get the best results. Light Rail: RTD Light Rail lines D, F and H all make stops at 14th & Champa, beneath the Colorado Convention Center. When planning your route to the Complex, put in “Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street” as your cross streets to get the best results. Airport Train: If you’re traveling to Denver and arrive at Denver International Airport, you can take RTD’s A Line Train straight to Union Station in downtown Denver, which is within walking distance of the Arts Complex and many area hotels.

BIKE & SCOOTER TRANSPORTATION:

Lyft and Lime offer e-bike and scooter sharing.

News and media
See photos and read more about the Colorado New Play Summit from local and national writers who have experienced it.

NEWS AND MEDIA

History of readings
Learn who has been commissioned, who has contributed and which readings have gone on to full productions here and around the country.

VIEW HISTORY

Summit Successes Keep Coming

Over more than 40 years, our Theatre Company season has produced over 400 plays from scratch, including many that got their start as a reading. By commissioning new plays and presenting the Colorado New Play Summit, we underwrite the important work required of playwrights, invest in the future of the American Theatre and keep our finger on the pulse of contemporary writing.

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A young woman in Western wear stands in front of a glowing circle in Rattlesnake Kate.

Leana Rae Concepcion in Rattlesnake Kate. Music and Lyrics by Neyla Pekarek. Book by Karen Hartman. Photo by andrewkellyphotography.com

A woman surrounded by family strikes a pose as she dances in In the Upper Room.

Monnae Michaell and the cast of In the Upper Room by Beaufield Berry. Photo by Adams VisCom

A man and woman are seated surrounded by books in You Lost Me.

Tara Falk and Gareth Saxe in You Lost Me by Bonnie Metzgar. Photo by Adams VisCom

A group of people sit at a dinner table onstage in twenty50

(l-r) Blanca Camacho, Frankie J. Alvarez, Valentina Guerra and Zeus Mendoza in twenty50 by Tony Meneses. Photo by Adams VisCom

Bob Ari and Linden Tailor in The Great Leap. Photo by Adams VisCom

A group of people listen to a doctor in Human Error.

The company of Human Error by Eric Pfeffinger. Photo by Adams VisCom

Two women embrace while one is seated in a chair in Last Night and the Night Before.

Erin Cherry and Bianca LaVerne Jones in Last Night and the Night Before by Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Photo by Adams VisCom

A man wearing a snowsuit argues with a woman in Two Degrees.

Robert Montano and Kathleen McCall in Two Degrees by Tira Palmquist. Photo by Adams VisCom

Lauren Gunderson (commissioned for The Book of Will) is the most-produced playwright in the country this season, with a whopping 33 productions, including 12 co-writing credits. The company of The Book of Will. Photo by Adams VisCom.

The company of The Book of Will. Photo by Adams VisCom

The company of American Mariachi. Photo by Adams VisCom

A woman throws herself over a couch as she grabs onto a man’s hand in FADE.

Eddie Martinez and Mariana Fernández in FADE by Tanya Saracho. Photo by Adams Visual Communication

A group of people stand at a bar waiting for drinks while one person speaks to the rest in The Nest.

(l-r) David Mason, Carly Street, Andrea Syglowski and Kevin Berntson in The Nest by Theresa Rebeck. Photo by Adams Visual Communication

Two women sit with their legs crossed and hands clasped in excitement in Appoggiatura

(l-r) Darrie Lawrence and Lenne Klingaman in Appoggiatura by James Still. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

Two women and two children play in a small pool, splashing water high into the air in Benediction.

(l-r) Nance Williamson, Zoe Delaney Stahlhut, Kathleen McCall and Billie McBride in Benediction. Adapted by Eric Schmiedl from the novel by Kent Haruf. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

A teenager looks at a photo frame while a friend smiles in Just Like Us.

Casey Predovic and Cynthia Bastidas in Just Like Us by Karen Zacarías. Based on the book by Helen Thrope. Photo by Jennifer M Koskinen

An older woman in a robe and hair curlers drinks from a bottle while a younger woman watches in The Most Deserving.

(l-r) Jeanne Paulsen and Judith Hawking in The Most Deserving by Catherine Trischmann. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

Two men observe a floating white chess board in black odyssey

(l-r) Cleavant Derricks and Tony Todd in black odyssey by Marcus Gardley. Photo by Jennifer M Koskinen

Ben Huber and Jamie Ann Romero in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere production of The Legend of Georgia McBride. Photo by Jennifer M Koskinen

A young woman kneels while a man stands over her, speaking in Sense and Sensibility The Musical.

Mary Michael Patterson and Jeremiah James in Sense and Sensibility The Musical. Book and Lyrics by Jeffrey Haddow. Music by Neal Hampton. Based on the novel by Jane Austen. Photo by Jennifer M Koskinen

A man and a woman in climbing gear hang on to a rock wall in Grace, Or the Art of Climbing.

John Hutton and Julie Jesneck in Grace, Or the Art of Climbing by Lauren Feldman. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

A woman sits in a chair surrounded by equipment, wires, and technology in Ed, Downloaded.

Annie Purcell in Ed, Downloaded by Michael Mitnick. Photo by Jennifer M Koskinen

An overweight man is seated in a chair in The Whale.

Tom Alan Robbins in The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter. Photo by Terry Shapiro

Two women stand at the head of a table filled with guests in a heated argument in Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner.

(l-r) Mimi Lieber, Catherine E. Coulson and the cast of Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner by Lisa Loomer. Photo by Terry Shapiro

Three men huddle around a bar deep in discussion in Great Wall Story

(l-r) Christopher Kelly, Jacob Knoll and Mike Hartman in Great Wall Story by Lloyd Suh

Two women look at each other in an apartment in Map of Heaven.

(l-r) Stephanie Janssen and Jessica Love in Map of Heaven by Michele Lowe

Two men sit on a couch gesturing to something in front of them in The Catch.

(l-r) Mike Hartman and Ian Merrill Peakes in The Catch. By Ken Weitzman

An older man and woman embrace while seated on a couch in Eventide.

Lauren Klein and Mike Hartman in Eventide. Adapted by Eric Schmiedl from the novel by Kent Haruf.

A woman in a red dress smiles as men in black tie reach for her in The Unsinkable Molly Brown

(l-r) Beth Malone, John Scherer, Michael Halling and Gregg Goodbrod in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Lyrics and music by Meredith Willson. Book by Dick Scanlon. Based on the original book by Richard Morris. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

A man and a woman dressed in space suits pinky swear with each other in When Tang Met Laika.

Ian Merrill Peakes and Jessica Love in When Tang Met Laika by Rogelio Martinez

A man stands outside a bathroom where a woman is seated looking at herself in the mirror in Inana.

Piter Marek and Mahira Kakkar in Inana by Michele Lowe

A young girl confronts a professional woman seated at a desk in Dusty and the Big Bad World

(l-r) Chloe Nosan and Charlotte Booker in Dusty and the Big Bad World by Cusi Cram.

A woman wearing scrubs sits at a table with a beer in Our House.

Suzy Jane Hunt in Our House by Theresa Rebeck. Photo by Terry Shapiro

Two older men and a woman sit at a small table in a kitchen in Plainsong.

(l-r) Philip Pleasants, Mike Hartman and Kathleen McCall in Plainsong. Adapted by Eric Schmiedl from the novel by Kent Haruf

An older man sits in a chair with a large book in 1001.

John Livingstone Rolle in 1001 by Jason Grote. Photo by Terry Shapiro

James Rana and Kate MacCluggage in Hotter Than Egypt. Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography.

Maggie Bofill and Stephanie Machado in Laughs in Spanish. Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography.

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Have a question about the Summit that’s not answered here? First-timer and not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Let us know what’s on your mind and we will get back to you soon.

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