It’s World AIDS Day AND the first Tuesday of December, which means it’s time for a new episode of “10 Minutes to Curtain”!

 
With Thanksgiving past and the holiday season upon us, one thing is certain at The Denver Center: A CHRISTMAS CAROL is up and running. Charlie goes backstage to talk with some actors about the real drama in the production, then climbs up to the catwalks to give you an exclusive birds-eye-view of the complicated scene changes in ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR. Then, join Ann Kron for a tour of her living room on the WELL set and learn about the upcoming world premiere productions of EVENTIDE and WHEN TANG MET LAIKA.

Popularity: 28% [?]

By Christy Montour-Larson, Director of WELL, Denver Center Theatre Company

We have been rehearsing WELL for 4 weeks and it is going… WELL! Very well, in fact. Today we moved from our rehearsal room in the Newman Center to The Ricketson Theatre for the first time for a “spacing rehearsal.” This is the day we explore how the movement and choices we are making in rehearsal transfer over to our actual performance space.

Although we had a scale model of the Lisa Orzolek’s wonderful set and excellent approximations of the scenic elements for our rehearsals, it is always is an adjustment to get used to the actual size of the entire theatre, walking up actual stairs, using the actual scenery pieces.

Scenic Designer Lisa M. Orzolek

 If you were there today, you would have seen us rehearsing the choreography of the transitions, (Me: “Great idea, Rachel – let’s have you move that table instead of Shauna”), marveling at the beginnings of set decorations, (Kathy Brady: “That collection of bird figurines reminds me of my mom!”), and figuring out how Kate Levy as Lisa can ride a bike around the Fourth of July float. (Kate: “If we move the float over 4 inches, I can make the turn.”) I am so pleased how the work we did in the rehearsal room has transferred over and how we were able to find creative solutions for the inevitable challenges we came across.

I can’t help but be reminded of my first experience in The Ricketson Theatre — ten years ago as an audience member. On my very first day in Denver, I saw my first Denver theatre production: Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde with Jamie Horton. If you saw that amazing production, you understand why I knew Denver would be a great city for me to put down my artistic roots.

Christy Montour-Larson

And over the past ten years, I have directed at several local theatre companies like Curious Theatre Company, Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, Paragon Theatre and Town Hall Arts Center. I even directed Jamie Horton in Curious’ Trumbo a few years back.

And over the past ten years, I have seen many marvelously funny, insightful and heart-breaking plays in The Ricketson Theatre. I especially recall Dinner with Friends, The Laramie Project and Doubt. I am so excited and honored to be making my Denver Center Theatre Company directorial debut in “The Rick” with WELL by Lisa Kron – a play I find marvelously funny, insightful, and heart-breaking at the same time!

Popularity: 28% [?]

It’s Culture Day in Japan AND the first Tuesday of November, which means it’s time for a new episode of “10 Minutes to Curtain”
 
 
Charlie begins this episode with a theatrical exploration inspired by Well, a play about the creation of a play. Then join the characters from Absurd Person Singular in couples therapy as they deal with the stresses of the holidays. And get an exclusive look at A Christmas Carol kid auditions and find out what it takes to be Denver’s next Tiny Tim.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Shauna Miles, “Actor B” in Well and Third-Year Student of the National Theatre Conservatory

Shauna Miles, National Theatre Conservatory Student

My experience in WELL thus far has been fantastic! My initial two years of training at the NATIONAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY have been in preparation for an opportunity like this; every rehearsal has given me a chance to take all I’ve learned and put it to practical use. The role of “Actor B” has been challenging, but also incredibly exciting and satisfying. I’m tasked with creating 5 distinct characters. Everyday I call upon my first year training in Larry Hecht’s “Extended Character” class to guide and inspire me in my development of each of these very different and very specific people.

And of course, working along side a Denver Center Theatre Company veteran like Kathy Brady has been a wonderful bonus. I love watching the way she continually uncovers the depth and humanity of the character she’s crafting. Bearing witness to the nuances and choices of each of the actors in this production has been absolutely invaluable; it’s a wonderful culmination to my time here at the NTC and I feel so fortunate to have been afforded this experience as I prepare to re-enter the “real world” of acting.

Popularity: 44% [?]