Every great play begins with an idea, but bringing that idea to life takes a collaborative cast of talent. Playwrights, dramaturgs, directors, and actors fuel the creative process with their insights and revisions. But the ultimate test of a new work is the audience—a live crowd whose reactions can shape the final production. Enter the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Colorado New Play Summit happening March 1–2.
Hailed by American Theatre as a “must-see stop for new-play development,” the Colorado New Play Summit is the DCPA’s signature festival for supporting playwrights and developing new work. Under the leadership of Chris Coleman, artistic director of the Denver Center Theatre Company, this year’s Summit promises to captivate audiences with an exciting lineup of new voices and visionary stories.
At the heart of the Summit are two world premiere productions that came out of last year’s Summit: The Reservoir, written by Denver’s Jake Brasch, performed on March 1 during the Summit and running through March 9, and The Suffragette’s Murder, penned by Sandy Rustin, performed on the second day of the Summit, March 2, and running through March 9. These productions are more than just performances—they are the result of weeks of collaboration between playwrights, directors, and actors who bring these stories to life.
In addition to presenting the magic of finished works from the previous year, the Summit pulls back the curtain on the entire creative process. Attendees can meet the artists, experience staged readings of works in progress, and even provide feedback that could shape the final productions. Each day of the Summit begins with lunch, followed by two readings and full productions of last year’s winners. Saturday closes with a playwriters’ slam, and Sunday hosts a wrap party for all.
Since its inception, the Summit has introduced seventy new plays, with more than half of them returning to the stage as full Denver Center Theatre Company productions. It’s a testament to the DCPA’s commitment to fostering bold, original storytelling while cementing Denver’s reputation as a hub for creative talent.
