Straight Talk Series

Welcome to "Straight Talk," our new ongoing series with Arvada Center artistic leaders and others from the local theatre community touching base directly with audiences about the unique challenges they face during this unprecedented time.

Interviews are conducted by Senior Arts Journalist John Moore. 

Straight Talk with Philip C. Sneed

Seven months into the pandemic, the Arvada Center has found ways to stay connected with its audiences more than most. But as temperatures drop and positive cases rise, the only thing certain is uncertainty. 

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Straight Talk with Parker Arts, Stories on Stage and Thunder River

Parker Arts says no to 'Mamma Mia' but yes to Rootin' Tootin' drive-in parking-lot concerts starting Friday. Stories on Stage forms an unlikely kinship with Zoom. And Thunder River will broadcast Missy Moore live in ''The Pink Unicorn' this weekend from Carbondale.

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Straight Talk with Platte Valley Players and Theatreworks

Platte Valley Players had its momentum stopped in its tracks. 'Can we recover? How long will that take?' At Colorado Springs TheatreWorks: An Iliad – literally. (It means 'a series of miseries or disastrous events.')

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Straight Talk with OpenStage, Firehouse and Adams Mystery Playhouse

In Fort Collins, OpenStage leaders says it's time for a reckoning. Firehouse soldiers on in John Hand's memory. Denver's last remaining dinner theatre is preparing for actors to perform with masks.

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Straight Talk with Curious Theatre Company

“The past few months have been a nightmare of a roller coaster,” says co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Chip Walton, who created Curious as a home for fearless political and progressive new works in 1997.

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Straight Talk with The Catamounts, Bas Bleu Theatre and Thingamajig

Boulder's wild 'Cats are poised like few others to thrive outside. Bas Bleu opens arms to local nonprofits and encourages food sharing. Thingamajig takes its first breath in a decade.

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Straight Talk with Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company and Northglenn Arts

From Lake Dillon: New union guidelines could have dire consequences. Boulder Ensemble boss says every company has a death date in mind. In Northglenn, construction continues.

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Straight Talk with the Fine Arts Center, Miners Alley Playhouse, Dangerous Theatre and Lone Tree Arts Center

Fine Arts Center buffered by merger with Colorado College. Miners Alley still hoping for a September 'Moon.' Nothing scares Dangerous Theatre. Lone Tree making itself available to smaller arts groups. 

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Straight Talk with square product, Forge Light, Springs Ensemble Theatre and Coal Creek Theatre of Louisville

Says Emily K. Harrison: “The thought of organizations large and small vying for any and all scraps we can get makes me nauseous. Like: It makes me want to walk away.” Also: Springs Ensemble Theatre starts a food pantry for artists. Forge Light Theatreworks will wait to ‘Bare’ all. Coal Creek Theatre of Louisville is starting a community-wide task force.

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Actors' union issues safety guidelines for re-opening

Actors’ Equity, the union that governs 51,000 performers and stage managers, today announced four conditions member companies must meet before re-opening for business.

Photo of the Aravad Center's Small Mouth Sounds.' Matt Gale Photography

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Straight Talk with the Denver Center, Jesters Dinner Theatre, Glenwood Vaudeville Revue and Germinal Stage-Denver

Incomprehensible losses at the Denver Center. Unexpected blessings at a dinner theatre in Longmont. Glenwood's biggest undertaking thwarted. And after 46 years, Germinal Stage-Denver could call it quits. 

Photo of DCPA Theatre Company's 'You Lost Me' by Adams Viscom

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Straight Talk with Local Theater Company, Theatre 29, The Source and Equinox

Boulder's Local Theater creates a daily creative ritual for audiences. Theater 29 creates a virtual playground for writers and audiences. The Source brings its annual 'WordFest' online. Equinox holds out hope for 'Monty Python's Spamalot.' 

Photo of Local Theater's 'Discount Ghost Stories' by John Moore

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Straight Talk with Su Teatro, Vintage, Breckenridge Backstage and Counterweight Theatre Lab

Su Teatro delays national tour while bringing 'Artists of Color Summit' online. Vintage plans ‘Driveway Theatre' and summer cabaret series. Breckenridge to read a national 'Midsummer.' And Counterweight Theatre Lab is lying low.

Photo of Su Teatro's 'War of the Flowers.'

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Straight Talk with Aurora Fox, BDT Stage, Cherry Creek Theatre and Misfits Theater

Aurora Fox performance videos have been viewed 11,000 times since March. BDT Stage will stream 'Ragtime.' Cherry Creek Theater looks to a fall 'Jest.' And Misfits promises more toil and trouble.

Photo of BDT Stage's 'Ragtime' by Glenn Ross.

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Straight Talk with Creede Rep, Town Hall, Candlelight and Theatre Company of Lafayette

Photo of Creede Repertory Theatre's 'Ripcord' by John Gary Brown

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Straight Talk with Phamaly, Buntport, Colorado Shakes and Rocky Mountain Rep

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Straight Talk with Rod Lansberry, Arvada Center Artistic Director of Plays

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Straight Talk with Lynne Collins, Arvada Center Artistic Director of Plays

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COVID’s toll on Colorado theatre: 224 productions and counting

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Straight Talk with Philip Sneed, Arvada Center President and CEO

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