A Guide to Exceptional Acting Programs in the Vibrant Theater Scene of Denver, Colorado
As an aspiring actor and current high school student, you may be wondering what the theater and acting landscape looks like in Denver, Colorado. Well, I have some exciting news to share! Denver has a thriving performing arts scene with a wealth of top-notch acting programs for you to hone your talents. Whether you envision yourself on Broadway or acting in film and television, Denver‘s programs can launch you towards those dreams.
Let‘s start with an overview of the excellent acting programs available across different age levels and environments:
- The Denver Center for the Performing Arts houses the selective graduate-level National Theatre Conservatory as well as the Denver Center Theatre Academy with youth programs.
- Several universities in Denver offer Bachelor‘s degrees in Theater, Musical Theater, and Acting including University of Denver, Metro State, CU Denver, and Colorado Christian University.
- The Denver School of the Arts provides immersive theater training within a public secondary school environment.
- Youth conservatories like Storybook Theater and Center Stage Academy offer acting and musical theater classes for ages 3 to 18.
- Opportunities also exist to get involved with local professional theatre companies like Curious Theatre Company, Local Theater Company, Theater Company of Lafayette, and more.
Intrigued by one of these options in particular? Let‘s explore some programs in more detail.
National Theatre Conservatory at DCPA – The Top Master‘s Program in Denver
The National Theatre Conservatory (NTC) is widely considered Denver‘s premier acting program. Forget undergraduate programs – NTC is entirely focused on graduate-level professional theater training as a Master of Fine Arts program.
Out of over 1,200 applicants each year, just 8 students are admitted to this highly competitive 3-year Master‘s program run through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. As an NTC student, you would take over 65 semester hours of intensive coursework tailored specifically to theater. Expect diverse offerings ranging from Acting and Directing to Vocal Production and Stage Dialects. Combine this with hands-on learning through performances in classical and contemporary plays. Significant production roles start your very first year!
With NTC‘s devoted focus specialty focus on theater training, the proof of excellence is in the success of alumni. Graduates have reached the pinnacle of acting achievements by performing on Broadway, joining national touring productions, and appearing on hit television shows. Over a third of all alumni are members of Actors Equity Association.
Denver School of the Arts – A Unique Public Arts High School
While conservatory-style arts schools exist nationwide, the Denver School of the Arts (DSA) offers something exceptional as part of the Denver Public Schools system. As a tuition-free public school dedicated fully to the arts, DSA enables students to hone their talents with immersive arts-focused academics and surround themselves with like-minded artistic peers.
The Theater Department ensures students receive comprehensive pre-professional theater training through both coursework and stage experience. By graduation, students will have developed skills in all elements of theater from acting to directing to production. Freshmen jump right in taking foundational classes in Fundamentals of Acting, Stagecraft, and Dramatic Literature. Sophomores can focus in on Acting or Creative Writing for Theater, while upperclassmen delve into specialized electives like Stage Combat, Theater Directing, and Playwriting Workshop.
Just as valuable as the classes are the plentiful opportunities DSA provides to put learning into practice through productions. Students participate in 4-8 shows per year ranging from main stage plays and musicals to completely student-produced projects. This stage experience comes complete with mentoring from professional guest directors, designers, and playwrights that partner with the school. The Theater Department also runs trips to attend professional productions at local Denver theater companies so students can learn from observing quality performances. Between student-run projects and formal productions under faculty and guest artist guidance, graduating seniors often have performance credits in upwards of 30 shows!
College-Level Programs in Denver
While conservatories and specialized arts schools cater to those focused intently on an acting career from a young age, college acting programs welcome both serious theater students and those newly discovering their dramatic talents. Denver hosts several higher education institutions offering Bachelor‘s degrees and undergraduate training in theater and related performing arts.
The University of Denver offers a comprehensive Theater Program granting a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Students start with introductory classes in all aspects of theater then select one of two concentrations: Theater Practice or Theater and Social Change. With a liberal arts framework, the program promotes creativity and cross-disciplinary collaboration through productions while allowing flexibility to double major or minor in other subjects. Over 50% of students take advantage of performing arts internships with Denver theater companies to gain professional experience.
At Metro State Denver, acting enthusiasts can earn a BFA degree in either Theater Performance or Musical Theater Performance. Both programs balance academics with practical experience through studio and mainstage shows. A unique option for working adults is the Musical Theater Performance certificate using a combination of evening and online classes.
Theater programs at other Denver-based schools include Regis University Bachelor of Arts in Theater, CU Denver Bachelor of Arts Theater Emphasis, and Colorado Christian University Bachelor of Arts in Acting/Directing. Across these varying curriculums, future thespians have no shortage of college options to discover and develop their dramatic talents!
Local Professional Theater Companies
Beyond formal education programs, Denver‘s flourishing theater scene provides opportunities to learn by getting your foot in the door with local professional companies. Aspiring young actors can try out for youth productions or specialized training programs with companies like the Arvada Center, Town Hall Arts Center, or Pickering Creative Artists Studios.
Smaller professional companies also take on teen interns and look to local talent when casting original productions. Curious Theater Company is focused solely on producing innovative contemporary plays. Local Theater Company similarly showcases new works but also musicals and an annual playwriting competition. Meanwhile more established companies like Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Theater Company of Lafayette, and Creede Repertory Theatre hire local non-Equity talent for their summer stagings of contemporary dramas and Broadway musicals.
No matter your experience level, getting involved behind-the-scenes with Colorado‘s vibrant theater scene can provide you great insight and training. Then when the time comes, you‘ll be prepared to dazzle at your first Equity audition!
Enrollment Trends Show Promising Outlook for Aspiring Thespians
Perhaps the growth of theater program options has you pondering potential opportunities for using your acting talents after graduation? Well the good news from industry data is bright. Analysis from the National Endowment for the Arts shows theater program enrollment expanding at a healthy rate over the past two decades. Between 2000-2016, the number of college students taking theater coursework rose 44%. Degree conferrals also swelled with a robust 30% increase in theater graduates compared to a 7% rise across all degree areas.
So doors are opening wider for aspiring thespians to acquire the skills needed to pursue acting professionally. Combine this training with theater activity exploding across high school theater programs and local community theaters. Students falling in love with the stage now have more resources than ever before to transform passion into a career in the arts!
Certainly playing a role in this growth is Denver‘s welcoming theater community itself. Let‘s explore what makes the local scene such fertile ground for launching actors to success.
What Makes Denver‘s Theater Scene So Vibrant?
Travel + Leisure recently named Denver among the top 15 best American cities for theater, citing its thriving scene supportive of new theatrical works. So what exactly makes the Mile High City such a standout for drama fans?
For starters, Denver cultivates homegrown talent while also attracting professionals relocating from arts meccas. The city provides affordable living with attractive job prospects compared to more expensive theater towns like Chicago or New York. This blend of local and imported talent combines with Denver‘s Western spirit of adventure. Artists find fertile ground to experiment with provocative new works. Denver also stands out by promoting inclusion. Theater companies actively foster diversity in productions that represent voices across races, genders, and cultural backgrounds.
Creatives clearly feel welcome as indicated by Denver metro ranking #6 among U.S. cities for the highest concentration of working artists. Abundant local talent spills over into theater ventures. Actors embody fresh characters crafted by Denver playwrights. Local singers carry newly penned musical scores onto the stage. Aspiring directors place emerging talent within imaginative new sets built by area designers.
Beyond the people, Denver encourages theatrical innovation through numerous organizations specifically supporting new play development. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts funds over a dozen playwriting commissions per year via its New Play Summit. Arts incubators like Laundry on Lawrence provide low-cost theater rental granting artists creative freedom. Initiatives like The Assembly fund a diverse mix of area performing arts groups chosen through a competitive application process.
Ringing resoundingly clear is that between educational opportunities and professional prospects, Denver extends a warm invitation to actors. Come immerse yourself in our flourishing theater landscape! Let your talents blossom supported by exceptional training programs, welcoming performance venues, and a community hungry for unique creative visions.
I hope this guide has illuminated just some of the many pathways for you to pursue acting excellence in Denver! Please let me know if you have any other questions as you chart the next steps on your dramatic journey. Break a leg out there!