Like many arts institutions across the nation, be they mainstream or edgy, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts must begin addressing the graying and whiteness of its audience if it’s to have a 21st century future.
A study undertaken by the Denver Center’s found that 14 percent of its customers are minorities, compared with the 31 percent minority population of Colorado. The percentage of ethnic minorities in Denver County is even greater. According to 2013 census figures: 30.9 percent are Hispanic, 10.8 percent black, 3.8 percent Asian and 2 percent other.
On the graying front: The average age of the Denver Center customer is 49; 70 percent are 40 or older; just 18 percent are between 30-39; and 12 percent are under 29.
In Scott Shiller, the DCPA has hired a leader who, during his run at Miami’s Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, had success cultivating Hispanic and black performing arts guests. It also secured a CEO who, at 39, is closer in age than his predecessor to that ever-elusive demographic: millennials.
Here are ongoing and new efforts underway at the Denver Center to broaden audiences:
The Women’s Voices Fund. The endowment, currently at $1 million, was launched in 2005 to aid female playwrights and directors. With the fund’s help, the Denver Center Theatre Company has produced 26 plays by women (including 9 world premieres), commissioned 16 female playwrights and hired 20 female directors.
Young audience outreach: In December, the Denver Center promoted
This week, the DCPA launched its pilot program “Shakespeare in the Parking Lot,” sending an hour-long version of “Romeo & Juliet” to Weld Central High School via pick-up truck. The program will go to Denver metro-area high schools this fall.
Now in its third year, the high school musical competition the will announce this year’s nominees May 4. And the Denver Center Theatre Company’s Regional High School Playwriting Competition. will have a greater presence at next year’s high-profile Colorado New Play Summit.
In late April, the theater company was awarded $410,000 by the Wallace Foundation’s Building Audience for Sustainability project to help it focus on attracting millennials and develop its Off-Center programming.
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or twitter.com/bylisakennedy
