By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 94: James O’Hagan-Murphy
Author: John Moore
Award-winning arts journalist John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the United States by American Theatre Magazine during has 12 years at The Denver Post. Hen then created a groundbreaking new media outlet covering Colorado arts an culture as an in-house, multimedia journalist for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He also founded The Denver Actors Fund, a nonprofit that has raised more than $600,000 for theatre artists in medical need. He is now a journalist for hire as the founder of Moore Media Colorado. You can find samples of his work at MooreJohn.Com. Contact him at culturewestjohn@gmail.com
Save the dates: Late-night Denver Actors Fund parties
Seth Caikowski and Joel Adam Chavez singing “Can’t Fight This Feeling” at the Denver Actors Fund’s inaugural party last June 1 at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. Theatre Karaoke Nights return this summer. Photo by Kevin Lowry. By John Moore With summer fast approaching, the Denver Actors Fund is happy to announce the return of its signature late-night parties filled… Continue reading Save the dates: Late-night Denver Actors Fund parties
8-year-old donates $100 to Denver Actors Fund
By John Moore We can conservatively say that hundreds of people in the local theatre community and beyond have now contributed to the new Denver Actors Fund through donations, volunteering or other in-kind support. But I think today we can say we have our new youngest supporter of the fund. Nate Patrick Siebert, an 8-year-old… Continue reading 8-year-old donates $100 to Denver Actors Fund
Denver Sonnets Project, No. 136: Lyndsay and Jeremy Palmer
By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 136: Lyndsay and Jeremy Palmer
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Chad Afanador and John Arp
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Financial aid recipient No. 5: Chad Afanador has amassed an impressive resume over his 11 seasons with the Creede Repertory Theatre, highlighted by his 2010 Denver Post… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Chad Afanador and John Arp
Denver Sonnets Project, No. 23: Gabra Zackman
By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s founding and ongoing mission to spotlight members of the local theatre community and the companies they perform for, while also calling attention to their… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 23: Gabra Zackman
Introducing The Denver Sonnets Video Project. No. 36: Rachel Fowler
By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s founding and ongoing mission to spotlight members of the local theatre community and the companies they perform for, while also calling attention to their… Continue reading Introducing The Denver Sonnets Video Project. No. 36: Rachel Fowler
Denver Actors Fund launches Action Teams, Web Site
The Denver Actors Fund, named Wednesday the recipient of a 2014 Westword Best of Denver Award, is today announcing several major initiatives. Most significantly, the DAF is officially activating its 2014 Action Teams. That’s an Army of Angels who will provide good-neighborly assistance to any qualifying member of the local theatre community who seeks it.… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund launches Action Teams, Web Site
Video: ‘Motherhood’ proceeds benefit Denver Actors Fund
Donations are being taken this weekend at three concert readings of the new musical “Motherhood” to benefit the Denver Actors Fund. “Motherhood” was written Mitch Samu. His wife, Kristen, is among the five performers. She is also heading the Denver Actors Fund’s new “Meal Preparation” and “Meal Delivery” Action Teams. The concert readings are being… Continue reading Video: ‘Motherhood’ proceeds benefit Denver Actors Fund
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Twanna LaTrice Hill
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Aid recipient: Back in 2014, Twanna LaTrice Hill became just the fifth aid recipient in The Denver Actors Fund’s young history. Twanna is Harvard, Princeton and Regis… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Twanna LaTrice Hill
Denver Actors Fund releases 2014 Action Plan, call for volunteers
By John Moore The Denver Actors Fund reached a significant milestone in December, when it began issuing aid checks to members of the local theatre community. To date, the Denver Actors Fund has now helped three people (an actor, a director and a props specialist) with immediate, situational medical needs. The three gifts have… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund releases 2014 Action Plan, call for volunteers
No shades. No shutter. But something wicked this way comes …
By John Moore The sunglasses are scattered like … confetti after the AFC Championship Game. The Canon has frozen its final curtain call. But something is coming. A new way of calling attention to local theatre productions and the artists who make them. That’s all for now. The Earth has music for those who listen.
Video podcast: Closing night at the Heritage Square Music Hall
The Heritage Square Music Hall performed for a final time on New Year’s Eve, bringing to an end a 25-year tradition of blue-collar, family-friendly entertainment. Our video podcast includes audience and cast interviews, as well as performance highlights. The cast includes T.J. Mullin, Alex Crawford, Rory Pierce, Annie Dwyer, Johnette Toye, Randy Johnson, Eric Weinstein,… Continue reading Video podcast: Closing night at the Heritage Square Music Hall
Exit interview: LIDA Project founder Brian Freeland
By John Moore For nearly 20 years, Brian Freeland has been a singular force in the local theater community. As founder of the LIDA Project collective, he has been the keeper of the flame for true experimental theatre in Denver. Last month, Freeland moved with his family to New York. Freeland says the LIDA Project… Continue reading Exit interview: LIDA Project founder Brian Freeland
Top 25 Shots from 2013 “Opening Nights” photo series
By John Moore Jan. 10, 2014 Throughout 2013, we brought you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes at theeater productions staged all over Colorado. The intent was to allow the reader a window into a part of the creative process you are not often allowed to witness. The result was awide swath of public and… Continue reading Top 25 Shots from 2013 “Opening Nights” photo series
Closing time for the ‘Opening Nights’ photo series; No. 151: Heritage Square Music Hall’s ‘Goodbye’
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Jan. 8, 2014 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Closing time for the ‘Opening Nights’ photo series; No. 151: Heritage Square Music Hall’s ‘Goodbye’
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Becky Toma
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the aid recipient wants to have his or her story be told. Aid recipient No. 3 and No. 41: Becky Toma Updated Jan. 8, 2017: Who she is: For years, Becky has been a busy props designer… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Becky Toma
Photos: My night at Vintage Theatre’s ‘Young Frankenstein’
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Jan. 4, 2014 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at Vintage Theatre’s ‘Young Frankenstein’
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Maggie Stillman
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the grant recipient wants to have his or her story be told. Aid recipient No. 2: Maggie Stillman Who she is: Director and founder of the Byers-Evans House Theatre Company, which is in the process of becoming… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Maggie Stillman
Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 3: A Community Responds
On Sunday, CultureWest named Shelly Bordas Colorado’s 2013 Theatre Person of the Year. Here is the third and latest installment in veteran journalist John Moore’s ongoing video documentary series chronicling Bordas’ story since the Denver actor and mother was diagnosed – for a second time – with end-stage breast cancer that has now spread to… Continue reading Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 3: A Community Responds
Photos: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘Spamalot’
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Dec. 26, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘Spamalot’
Here are your 2013 True West Award Winners: Spread out … or spread thin?
By John Moore Dec. 29, 2013 The Curious Theatre Company, a whopping seven-time winner of the prestigious “best year by a company” Ovation/True West Award, wasn’t even a finalist in that category this year. That’s largely because Denver’s most vital artery to the pulse of the New York theater got mired in a redundant pattern… Continue reading Here are your 2013 True West Award Winners: Spread out … or spread thin?
2013 True West Theater Person of the Year Shelly Bordas: “Love Rules Out”
Here is the new Part 3 of John Moore’s ongoing video documentary series on Shelly Bordas, By John Moore Dec. 29, 2013 There’s a ship that comes for Shelly Bordas each night in her dreams. But she’s not getting on board just yet. Bordas began her year with the modest goal of making her first… Continue reading 2013 True West Theater Person of the Year Shelly Bordas: “Love Rules Out”
Photos: My night at ‘Balls V! A Holiday Spectacular’
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Dec. 26, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at ‘Balls V! A Holiday Spectacular’
2013 True West Award nominations: Town Hall leads balanced field with 14 nods
By John Moore Dec. 22, 2013 A prolific and creatively surprising year in Colorado theater is reflected in the 2013 True West Award nominations released today. The True West Awards, which began as the Denver Post Ovation Awards in 2001, are the longest-running continuously administered awards program in Colorado theater. And for just the… Continue reading 2013 True West Award nominations: Town Hall leads balanced field with 14 nods
2013 True West Awards: Take the Readers Choice Survey
You don’t have to answer every question. Use the internal scroller to move down the survey. Voting is open through 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. Read the full story on the 2013 True West Award Nominations. Winners will be announced next Sunday, Dec. 29.
2013 True West Award nominations: List of eligible productions
This sight can mean only one thing: The 2011 True West Award nominations are just hours away … By John Moore The 2013 True West Awards, which began as the Denver Post Ovation Awards in 2001, are the continuation of the longest-running awards program in Colorado theater. The 2013 True West nominations have been… Continue reading 2013 True West Award nominations: List of eligible productions
Photos: My night at Starkey Theatrix’s ‘Home for the Holidays’
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Dec. 18, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at Starkey Theatrix’s ‘Home for the Holidays’
Photos: My night at Phamaly Theatre Company’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Dec. 16, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at Phamaly Theatre Company’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Photos: My night at The Catamounts’ “Feed: Short and Sweet”
To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Dec. 14, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the… Continue reading Photos: My night at The Catamounts’ “Feed: Short and Sweet”