Virtual + Theatre Roundup: Pandemic Edition

The pandemic may have hit theatre hard, but the creativity of the industry and its adaptability to digital technology proved that live entertainment is here to stay. Here are a few of the ways you can stay up-to-date with theatre right now.

Our featured event this time around is the Amplify event series, a collection of evenings of experiences that highlight the voices of marginalized communities through the arts. The series has a roster of amazing arts leaders that act as guest curators and speakers. The event will be live-streamed from the Arvada Center to at-home audiences but also offers in-person tickets, which are limited.

The next two Amplify events are: Amplify curated by Bobby LeFebre, showing on April 19 at 7  p.m., in the Arvada Center Ballrooms A-C, and Amplify curated by Lynne Holman, showing on June 28 at 7 p.m. in the Main State Theatre. Tickets for both shows are $5 and can be purchased here.

• Christie Con by Jessica Austgen: A group of die-hard Agatha Christie fans gathers in a remote Bed & Breakfast for their annual crime novel convention. When their presentation of a classic mystery goes murderously awry, the cast scrambles to finish their own fictional whodunnit without becoming the next target. Live performances can be streamed here.
• Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith: Until the Flood is inspired by a collection of interviews conducted by the playwright after the death of Michael Brown. Eight fictional characters represent the broad spectrum of perspectives that continue to define and divide our country at large. The production is free to stream and includes a downloadable study guide and other additional content. Watch here.
• Tantalus: Behind the Mask goes behind the scenes of the DCPA Theatre Company and Royal Shakespeare Company project, Tantalus, which recreates the Trojan War. The movie is free to stream here.
• DCPA movement classes presented by UCHealth: UCHealth is now sponsoring the DCPA’s virtual movement classes, which feature dance and movement classes for adults and children middle school age and up. Broadway Choreography for adults classes is available April 7 and May 12, Broadway Choreography: The Songs of Hamilton (middle and high school age) will be hosted on May 1, and their Master Class: Viewpoints (adults) is set for May 18. Register for any of those classes here.
• Color Plates streaming live from The Nomad Playhouse: Color Plates is a series of interrelated stories set in a mysterious art museum. The stories are read with the paintings as a backdrop by Randy Moore, Anne Penner, and Geoffrey Kent. Tickets are available here.
• Now You Know is a two-play series that focuses on the issues of race and gender. The plays Black. (Lamaria Aminah) and In Transit (Holden Thomas), were written as part of Curious New Voices, an annual summer playwriting workshop for young writers. Both plays are available to rent here. If you would like to share Now You Know with a group or classroom audience, contact Education Director Dee Covington (dee@curioustheatre.org) for special pricing and packages.
• The Arvada Center’s timely and poignant play Small Mouth Sounds will be running from April 30 to May 30 and will be moved from the black box theatre to the larger, main stage theatre to ensure safe social distancing. You can purchase tickets here or by calling the box office at (720) 898-7200. 
• Aurora Fox Virtual Gala: Many arts venues across the country have faced huge financial setbacks due to COVID-19. The Aurora Fox’s is presenting its’ first-ever virtual gala concert featuring some popular Aurora Fox performers. You can also purchase a Gala Night Snack Box from Annette Restaurant in the Stanley Marketplace or bid on any number of items available through the online auction. The event is free to stream here.