Audiences, and artists, express deep concerns over going on with the show By John Moore Senior Arts Journalist The spirit is ready and willing, but when it comes to returning to our local theatre stages during an ongoing pandemic, the flesh is weak. Local theatre companies are all wondering when they will be allowed to… Continue reading Survey: Most Denver theatregoers aren’t coming back anytime soon
Category: The Latest
Costume Designer Kevin Brainerd was epitome of class and panache
Death at age 58 has theatre community’s heart on its linen sleeve By John Moore, Senior Arts Journalist The clothes may not make the man, but under his meticulous eye, Kevin Brainerd’s clothes made hundreds of fictional characters come to vivid life on stages from Broadway to Boulder. Brainerd, an acclaimed theatrical costume designer… Continue reading Costume Designer Kevin Brainerd was epitome of class and panache
Back to Africa: My 2002 review of ‘The Lion King’ in Denver
A journey to the heart of Julie Taymor’s imagination By John Moore Denver Post Theater Critic Originally published April 28, 2002 It turns out “The Lion King” doesn’t bring Broadway’s most highly sought national tour to Denver after all. Instead, it transports the people of Denver nearly 10,000 miles away to the magical splendor of… Continue reading Back to Africa: My 2002 review of ‘The Lion King’ in Denver
Denver Actors Fund names Gibley president, adds three to board
Chris Gibley will lead expanded board that now also includes Gail Bransteitter, Dr. Kelli Lewis and Fletcher Woolsey The Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors has voted unanimously for Littleton native Chris Gibley to become its next President. Gibley has 30 years of business experience holding senior management positions with Arthur Andersen, the Federal… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund names Gibley president, adds three to board
Christopher Dyer joins Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors
Christopher Dyer, a longtime executive with the Denver-based premium cable TV network Starz/Lionsgate, has been unanimoulsy appointed to the Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors, President Will Barnette has announced. The 4-year-old Denver Actors Fund makes financial and practical assistance available to members of the Colorado theatre community facing situational medical need. Last week, The… Continue reading Christopher Dyer joins Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors
Evening of songs to honor Brenda Billings at Hard Rock Cafe
The Denver Actors Fund will present an evening of songs on Tuesday, May 10, in honor of its late President, Brenda Billings. Billings was the co-Artistic Director at Miners Alley Playhouse, President of the Denver Actors Fund and a longtime contributor to Colorado’s non-profit community. She died April 13 of complications from a sudden brain hemorrhage… Continue reading Evening of songs to honor Brenda Billings at Hard Rock Cafe
Brenda Billings named Denver Actors Fund President
Brenda Billings, Artistic Director at Miners Alley Playhouse and a longtime contributor to Colorado’s non-profit community, has been named President of The Denver Actors Fund, Executive Director John Moore announced today. “I am honored and very enthused to join the Denver Actors Fund,” Billings said. “The founding of this unique and vital organization is making… Continue reading Brenda Billings named Denver Actors Fund President
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Amy Malmgren
Watch: Amy Malmgren is interviewed along with the rest of The Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors on a recent episode of “In Focus With Eden Lane.” Update: So there is a reason we have legal counsel! The Denver Actors Fund has a stipulation that was unanimously approved by its board of directors upon founding… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Amy Malmgren
BDT Stage raises $5,173 for Denver Actors Fund
Photo by Glenn Ross. BDT Stage’s special added performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” raised a total of $5,173.29 for the Denver Actors Fund, making it one of the two most successful evenings in the growing non-profit’s short history. Of that total, $1,660 comes directly from performers and musicians donating their show pay. Another… Continue reading BDT Stage raises $5,173 for Denver Actors Fund
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Joe Majestic
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: Littleton native Joe Majestic, a graduate of Arapahoe High School, appeared as Lewis in Ignite Theatre’s “Pippin,” and as Bobby in “Cabaret.” He also played a… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Joe Majestic
Young ‘Oz’ actor speaks up for Denver Actors Fund
On Saturday morning, young Theatre of Academy Arts actor Hannah Katz spoke to audiences at the Town Hall Arts Center in support of the Denver Actors Fund. “We are lucky to have so many gifted, talented, caring, dedicated actors in the professional theatre community who set great examples for us both onstage and off,”… Continue reading Young ‘Oz’ actor speaks up for Denver Actors Fund
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Sheila Ivy Traister
Sheila Ivy Traister, left, in “99 Histories” for Theatre Esprit Asia last year at the Vintage Theatre. 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: Actor, director and playwright Sheila Ivy Traister… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Sheila Ivy Traister
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Laura Adducci
Laura and Lucien Adducci. Helping a sick mother to keep her son in school 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: Laura Adducci is the Program Director at Mirror Image Arts, a… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Laura Adducci
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Shelly Bordas
Actor, teacher and mother’s long and defiant battle galvanized the Colorado theatre community 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: Shelly Bordas was a Denver actor and teacher who appeared in dozens… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Shelly Bordas
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Marq Del Monte
Marq Del Monte, second from right, appeared in John Moore’s play, “Maureen Dowd’s Dark, Delicious Descent into Denver Hell, An Edible Cautionary Tale,” as part of The Mile High 24 Play Festival on June 2 at the Spark Theatre. From left: Lindsey I. Benge, Deb Flomberg, Karen Kargel, Del Monte and Desiree Phillips. Note:… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Marq Del Monte
The online ‘Miscast 2014 Auction’: Bid now!
As the countdown to “Miscast 2014” enters its final week, the Denver Actors Fund is tickled to introduce the 2014 Miscast Auction: Services provided by artists as they are “cast” in real life. Many of our most accomplished actors and artists have off-stage careers that call upon a wide variety of real-world skills. Some… Continue reading The online ‘Miscast 2014 Auction’: Bid now!
DSA students make remarkable, record donation to Denver Actors Fund
From left: Amelia Corrada (Penny), Madison Kitchen (Tracy), Jeremy Willis (Seaweed), Claire Willcutt, John Moore and Jimmy Bruenger (Link Larkin). Twelve days before Denver School of the Arts was to open its fall all-school musical “Hairspray,” cast members Jimmy Bruenger and his little sister, Damiana, learned their father, James, had died of a sudden heart… Continue reading DSA students make remarkable, record donation to Denver Actors Fund
Denver Actors Fund in Action: Russell Costen
Russell Costen as Big Daddy in The Edge Theatre’s 2013 production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Photo by Rachel D Graham / RDGPhotography. 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.… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Russell Costen
The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 17: Anne Sandoe
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 The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 17: Anne Sandoe
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
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
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
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
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
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?