Shakespeare Returns to a Parking Lot Near You

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is a testament to the magic of live theatre, reaching audiences in unexpected ways; whether they are performing in an under-served community, making Shakespeare relatable to a teenager, or sparking an interest in the arts in a child. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is immensely proud of […]

Q&A with 2025 Student Playwriting Competition Winners, Finalists

Six winners have been selected for the Middle School & High School Playwriting Competition, three in each age group. This year, the DCPA received 175 middle school and 119 high school submissions from 13 counties across the state. The top three plays by each age group will be included in the 2025 Playwriting Anthology and […]

DCPA Education Preps Students for Careers in Theatre

In Sunset Boulevard, former silent-film star Norma Desmond says: “I’m ready for my close-up.” But exactly what does it take to get ready for your close-up, your audition or your first big role? The Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of educational programs from classes on acting, voiceover, and movement to in-school […]

Breaking Into the Biz

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 […]

How to Prepare Your Kids for Their First Show

The feeling of seeing a story unfold live on stage is unlike anything else, and it’s absolutely something to share with your children. When they’re ready, that is. While there’s no set age for when kids can be introduced to the stage — each child is different after all — there are signs to look […]

The Art of the Audition: Learn how to nail that callback and what directors want

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 […]

Pitching Strategies: Insights from Kelly McAllister

Just like Bud Davenport and Doug Simon in Gutenberg! The Musical, creatives constantly find themselves in the position of pitching ideas, whether for auditions or projects. Kelly McAllister, an accomplished playwright, screenwriter, actor, and director, offers invaluable insights from his extensive experience. With award-winning plays produced globally and his role as a teaching artist at […]

Activities to Do: Elephant and Piggie

DCPA Education & Community Engagement presents Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” from October 18-December 22, 2024 in the Weeks Conservatory Theatre. Prepared specially for PreK through third grade audiences, this Theatre for Young Audiences production is based on Mo Willems’ beloved and award-winning children’s books. Dive into a world of make believe, […]

Elephant & Piggie Books Come to Life Onstage This Fall

Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” adds songs and movement to author Mo Willems’ beloved books When a book has few words, no background pictures, and two simply drawn characters, how does it translate on stage? For Theatre for Young Audiences director Allison Watrous, the addition of music by Deborah Wicks La Puma […]

Activities to Play: Elephant and Piggie

DCPA Education & Community Engagement presents Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” from October 18-December 22, 2024 in the Weeks Conservatory Theatre. Prepared specially for PreK through third grade audiences, this Theatre for Young Audiences production is based on Mo Willems’ beloved and award-winning children’s books. Dive into a world of make believe, […]