The denver theatre scene

At the moment a simple Google search for the Denver Metro areas Theatre scene turns up 14 medium to large independent theatres. Each of these theatres seem to be restrictive in that the troupes and actors that perform for them are relatively selective on staying within that group. Outside of these 14 independent groups there is of course the collective of theatres that make up the Denver performing arts complex (DPAC). While there are distinctions between these theatres a few of the commonalties between them:

The number of performances they put on a year with that number seeming to average between 2 – 4

With the exception of 4 theatres in my research all of the larger and better-known theatres call themselves non-profit (whether or not this is financially true I’m not sure) but due to the current status of the economy and the already limited theater audiences I think it is the case

It seems outside of the DPAC most theatres prefer to work within the comedy or more lighthearted play genres. Outside of Su Teatro, the Paragon Theatre most theatres seemed to shy away from more dramatic or politically / socially charged theatres

It seems that nearly all of the theatres including the DPAC have offerings of improve or audience involvement. This may be a connection towards the mining / general labor nature and the social class diversification between Colorado residents, where the larger and more expensive theatres would rely on formally trained actors and staff while the smaller more community driven performances and marketing.

I noticed that most theatres including the more luxury ones mention involvement in the community. I would believe again this is a tie in towards the history of Colorado and the intertwining between the theatre and the community. Geographically speaking it seemed like there was enough distance between the theatres so there would be no real over saturation of theatres so the theatre as a entity has the chance to become the “community” theatre and would be able to cycle supp

According to the website every year the DPAC takes close to a million seats sold and it is self proclaimed as the largest regional mutli live performance complex in the region bringing in audiences from the surrounding states. Unlike the smaller theatres it seems like that overall the DPAC and its encompassing theatres prefer more dramatically and emotionally charged performances. Alike the smaller theatres the DPAC and the Denver theatre guild share a mutual investment and interest in the involvement of community both as staff, actors and influential audiences.

Applebox seems that what it stands to do is relatively unique. While there are non-profit theatres in the area and the Denver metro area, I didn’t find any that were dedicated towards social awareness let alone willingness to change this focus per performance. When it comes to this openness and Applebox’s limited productions I think I believe that they would be in position to where the more established theater players and supporters would be willing to work towards its summarily success depending on resource avaiblity.