Hey Bucket Listers! My name is Toni Tresca, and I am the editor of Bucket List Community Cafe and this is my Top 5 Guide to theaters in Denver. When I am not sitting in front of my laptop, obsessing over stories, you can probably find me in a theater. I have been a theater fan since I was seven years old, and now that I am actively covering the Colorado theater scene, my attendance has only increased. Last year, I saw well over 150 shows in the Centennial State.
While I frequently attend theaters of all sizes, I’m well aware that when most people think of theater in Denver, the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) immediately springs to mind. This monumental venue—one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States—covers four blocks and features ten performance spaces with over 10,000 seats. From the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to the Boettcher Concert Hall, DPAC is the crown jewel of Denver’s cultural scene, hosting everything from Broadway shows to comedians to pop stars.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) presides over this glittering kingdom, programming a dizzying array of plays and musicals that might leave theatergoers wondering if there’s anything beyond this all-encompassing empire. For those willing to venture off the beaten path, Denver has a rich tapestry of smaller theaters. Here’s my curated list of the best places to see theater in the Mile High City outside of the DCPA, demonstrating that the theater scene is much more than just one major player.
Buntport Theater
In the heart of Denver’s Arts District on Santa Fe, Buntport Theater is a hub for innovative and original works. This experimental troupe, founded by a group of friends who met at Colorado College in Colorado Springs in the late 1990s, debuted with their first show, “Quixote,” in July 1998. They began producing shows in rented space before converting a cement warehouse at 717 Lipan Street into a fully functional black box theater with adjustable seating in 2000.
Led by five artists—Brian Colonna, Hannah Duggan, Erik Edborg, Erin Rollman, and Samantha Schmitz—they create all aspects of their productions, including writing, directing, performing, and technical work. The theater’s 24th season promises to continue this tradition with two world premiere productions, “Eyes Up, Mouth Agape” and “The Menagerist,” as well as a remount of a fan favorite from 2018, “The Book Handlers.” In addition to full-length productions, Buntport hosts a variety of events by outside groups on its off nights.
Buntport’s mission emphasizes accessibility, so all of its shows feature “Name Your Price” tickets, ensuring that cost is never an impediment to attendance. With 26 years of local history and 54 original plays under its belt, Buntport’s collaborative approach ensures that each show is an inventive endeavor. For those seeking a night of unpredictable and original theater, Buntport is the perfect escape from the mainstream.
Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. Learn more at buntport.com.
Curious Theatre Company
If you’re looking for safe, comfortable theater that allows you to forget the world’s most pressing social issues, then this isn’t the troupe for you. Curious Theatre Company‘s motto, “no guts, no story,” has embodied the organization’s programming philosophy for over 25 years. Chip Walton and Dee Covington founded the company in 1997, and it has been based at the historic Acoma Center since 1998, carving out a space for socially relevant theater in Denver.
“So often we hear we are living through ‘unprecedented times’ and we aim to engage the human side of those times, capturing the stories, the emotions, both joy and devastation, interrogating the past, and sparking new conversation to guide the future,” said marketing manager Emily Whalen. Under the new leadership of artistic director Jada Suzanne Dixon, who took over in May 2022, Curious continues to navigate a period of transition. To ensure financial stability, the company launched a $250,000 “Fund the Future” campaign and announced that it was selling its home at Acoma Center to offset rising maintenance costs and secure its future.
Despite these challenges, the company’s commitment to bold programming remains unwavering. The upcoming season will include a variety of contemporary plays that address complex social issues, such as the political satire “POTUS,” racism in “Confederates,” parenthood in “A Case for the Existence of God,” sex crimes in “Downstate,” and school integration in “Exhibit.” As Dixon leads Curious into its 27th season, the emphasis remains on sustainability and innovation, ensuring that this daring Denver institution continues to inspire for years to come.
Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St. Learn more at curioustheatre.org.
Firehouse Theater Company
Stationed inside the historic Lowry Air Force Base Fire Department, Firehouse Theater Company is an inventive troupe in an intimate setting that consistently punches above its weight. The company was founded by John Hand, who established Colorado Free University in 1987 and later purchased the Lowry Firehouse in 1999 with a vision to transform it into a theater.
In 2004, as John was preparing to open the company’s first play, “The Ride Down Mt. Morganhe,” he was robbed and fatally stabbed. Following the tragedy, his sister Helen Hand stepped in to carry out his vision, and she has since led the organization with fervor. Located in what was once the ready bay for fire trucks, the John Hand Theater provides a cozy atmosphere for a diverse range of productions.
“We produce shows that encourage people to look at life through other perspectives and develop empathy,” said executive producer, Helen. “We try to find a balance in our season of shows of comedy and drama (we especially love a good “dramedy” that mixes the two) and look for shows that inspire appreciation for the human spirit.”
The theater’s upcoming season features adaptations of popular works such as “The Girl on the Train” and “Little Women,” the poignant Depression-era drama “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” the enemies-to-friends comedy “Ripcord,” and the farce about the gay rights movement “Perfect Arrangement.” Helen, who continues to honor her brother’s legacy, emphasizes the company’s commitment to creating a personal and welcoming experience for all who walk through their doors.
Firehouse Theater Company, 7653 East 1st Pl. Learn more at firehousetheatercompany.com.
Su Teatro
Denver’s only Chicano theater troupe, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, has been a vital cultural institution for over 50 years. Founded at the height of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement in 1972, Su Teatro emerged from a student-organized theater group at the University of Colorado at Denver. Initially a nomadic troupe, they performed at picket lines, parks, and political rallies, telling the stories of the movement under the direction of Anthony J. Garcia.
Su Teatro was able to purchase the Historic Elyria School in Northeast Denver in 1989 and transform it into El Centro Su Teatro, a multidisciplinary cultural arts center where they established long-running programs such as the Chicano Music Festival, XicanIndie FilmFest and Cultural Arts Education Institute. In 2010, Su Teatro relocated to the Denver Civic Theatre on Santa Fe Drive and rebranded it as the Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center.
“Su Teatro’s 50-year evolution has been tied to Denver’s morphing into a multi-appreciative environment, where the arts play a role in the mainstream life of the city,” said Garcia. “We began our journey marginalized by the mainstream, and as our community and representation have grown, so has our role in the broader conversation. We have embraced original work, and Colorado-centric stories, while at the same introducing our audiences to significant Chicano/Latinx playwrights, directors and artists from around the country. At the same time, we have been fortunate to take the stories from our community to other significant venues around the country.”
Su Teatro increased its footprint in June 2024 by purchasing the “Blue Building,” which is across the street from its current location. This strategic acquisition prevents further gentrification of the area, houses the Cultural Arts Education & Leadership Institute, and provides additional space for rehearsals and community events. Su Teatro intends to expand even further by purchasing a building adjacent to the Blue Building, which will increase the company’s presence in the Santa Fe Arts District, and ensure that it can continue to tell original Chicano stories for the next 50 years.
Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr. Learn more at suteatro.org.
The Savoy Denver
With a past that spans from a Danish hall to a Rodelle vanilla factory, The Savoy Denver’s walls have housed several notable tenants. This historic building is now a thriving cultural hub for the performing arts in the Curtis Park neighborhood of Five Points. Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian building from 1889, The Savoy’s second-floor ballroom, once a private social club, now serves as a dynamic performance space for theater, dance, and live music.
Just a stone’s throw from Coors Field and the bustling RiNo Arts District, The Savoy offers an eclectic mix of entertainment, private events and community meetings. Theatre Artibus, the venue’s resident company, is known for its intimate and original performances that explore social themes through physical storytelling. Theatre Artibus, founded in 2017 by Meghan Frank and Buba Basishvili, draws inspiration from Denver’s diverse cultural communities to create work.
The Savoy also hosts other notable groups, such as the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company and Local Theater Company, which contribute to its reputation as a versatile and inclusive arts venue. Whether you are watching a cutting-edge play or listening to a live band, The Savoy’s blend of old-world elegance and modern artistry creates an unforgettable experience that seamlessly combines historic and contemporary charm.
The Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St. Learn more at savoydenver.com.
These are just a few of the many fantastic theatrical options in the city. If you have been to any of the venues, please share your experiences and favorite performances in the comments section below. If I missed your favorite Denver theater, please share the details below so that other theatergoers can find their new favorite spot. Now, get out there and enjoy some excellent local theater!
