Mindfulness can feel intimidating. But what if presence didn’t require stillness? What if you could use improvisation to return to yourself? For Denver Center for the Performing Arts teaching artist Heather Curran, improv and mindfulness are inseparable. “Improv is the practice of presence through play,” she says. “Mindfulness and meditation can be really daunting, but […]
Polish your acting chops with theatre-based games you can do outside of the classroom. Acting classes might have ended, but there’s no reason you can’t continue the excitement and education at home. In fact, theatre games entertain the whole family and/or friend group, even if the others aren’t training to be a performer. Try […]
From deep breaths and nutrient-dense food to arriving on time, these five tips can make that next audition or interview go smoothly. It’s completely normal to be nervous before an audition or interview, but you don’t have to let that control the situation. In fact, calming the nerves before the big event helps tremendously, […]
This article was originally publihed in 2022 and updated in 2026. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Education program offers a wide range of classes from introduction to acting, scene study, stage combat, and more. A unique part of the program is that teaching artists largely continue to work within the theatre community, […]
This article was originally published on November 17, 2022 All the books, lessons and performances in the world won’t guarantee an actor a leading role, but mastering the art of the audition just might. That’s why for the past five years Grady Soapes, the DCPA Theatre Company’s Director of Casting, has long taught classes on […]
Six winners have been announced for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ 14th annual Middle School & High School Playwriting Competition, three in each age group. This year, the DCPA’s Education & Community Engagement team received 288 submissions from students across Colorado. The top three plays by each age group will be included in […]
Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Education and Community Engagement is happy to announce the winners of the 14th annual Middle School and High School Playwriting Competition. The Playwriting Competition is grounded in workshops hosted by DCPA Education Teaching Artists. These in-school workshops introduce students to the fundamentals of playwriting, bolster creative writing skills, and […]
With winter solstice fast approaching and Goodnight Moon about to enter the final month of its Denver Center run (now through Jan 25, 2026), there’s never been a better time to say “Hello, Moon.” So I met up with Mitch Slevc, Educator Performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, in order to […]
Are you a budding performer waiting for your breakout role? Do you feel a bit like Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, fiercely determined but constantly turned down? Don’t let that rain on your parade! Take these tips from Grady Soapes, Director of Casting with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), to help you […]
There’s reading classic kids’ books and looking at the pictures; and then there’s interacting with them to create something new. One of the best things about reading to kids comes from revisiting and sharing the wonder of beloved stories. Do you take your children flying through the night in a dough suit a la Maurice […]