A theatre organization in Denver devoted to the development and presentation of culturally relevant new works
LATEST NEWS FOR THE SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit
Indulge in All Things Word!
Live Online Readings & more!
Virtual Performances APRIL 17 - MAY 31, 2020
Free Registration & Regular Updates at suteatro.org
PRESS RELEASE
February 26, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
December 20, 2019
The SOURCE Theatre Company to Present its Regional Distinction
Denver, CO, February 26, 2020 - In April 2020, The SOURCE Theatre Company and Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center will present the 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit.
A festival devoted to all things "word," previous years of the WordFest have included book readings like Cynthia Burton Graham's BALTIMORE CITY BLUES; national presentations like Nashville Tennessee's African-American theatre company The Carpet Bag Theatre; the world premiere production of Greg Tate's THE B WORD; Hip-Hop Theatre presentations like African-American writer/producer Rickerby Hinds' DREAMSCAPE and foreign language music concerts like the Haitian band LAKOU MIZIK.
In this year's WordFest, The SOURCE Theater Company will be presenting REGIONAL DISTINCTION- a presentation of most of its body of original theatrical works by Denver African-American playwrights. This includes excerpts from IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, A GOOD CHILD TOO SOON, THE LIFE & TIMES OF OL' ALFRED and SUICIDE LIES. For the Artist of Color Summit, The SOURCE will also offer two workshops; one conducted by Jimmy Walker on "Script Analysis", the other conducted by Hugo Jon Sayles on "Acting". Each workshop will utilize components of REGIONAL DISTINCTION.
For almost 50 years, artists who are now a part of The SOURCE Theatre Company (previously, members of this company belonged to Denver Black Arts, The Eulipions Theater Company and Shadow Theater Company) and Su Teatro have been working together: exchanging cultural and aesthetic traditions, making work together, standing in solidarity and representing POC artists in Denver on the frontlines.
The collaboration between Su Teatro and The SOURCE might be the longest standing POC arts collaboration in Denver, but it is not the only one. In fact, the POC arts landscape in our city is burgeoning with artists and cultural workers who have their own local and national connections but who, ironically, often tackle their daily work in isolation. The unique characteristics of the individuals involved in the 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit convening provides the opportunity for peer exchange and learning that if captured and codified properly, will have a field wide impact.
The 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit will be held at Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, April 15 - 26, 2020. Tickets are $10 - $20. Tickets can be purchased online at suteatro.org or 303-296-0219. Recommended for mature audiences.
The SOURCE Theatre Company Announces Two Collaborations in the 2020 Season
Denver, CO, December 20, 2019 - The SOURCE Theatre Company will be partnering with The Colorado Black Arts Festival (CBAF) for the exciting opportunity to present the 3-part A BRIEF HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC. The CBAF Cultural Caravan & The SOURCE Theatre Company will present two evenings on the history of African American music with music and invigorating narration. The first installment, presented in February 2020, covers the period from the 1600's to the early 1900's, taking the audience on a musical journey from slavery to prohibition. Along the way, the audience will be exposed to slave music, field hollers, work songs, lullabies, spirituals, songs of the Underground Railroad, ragtime and the blues.
The CBAF believes the history of black music is diverse and engaging, and provides a compelling soundtrack to U.S. history in general. Since the contributions of African American music to American music are so vast, this project is presented in three installments over the years - telling the audience to be sure to come back next year to enjoy the next installment.
This is a program for all age levels.
In April 2020, The SOURCE Theatre Company and Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center will present the 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit.
A festival devoted to all things "word," previous years of the WordFest have included book readings like Cynthia Burton Graham's BALTIMORE CITY BLUES; national presentations like Nashville Tennessee's African-American theatre company The Carpet Bag Theatre; the world premiere production of Greg Tate's THE B WORD; Hip-Hop Theatre presentations like African-American writer/producer Rickerby Hinds' DREAMSCAPE and foreign language music concerts like the Haitian band LAKOU MIZIK.
The SOURCE Theater Company will be presenting REGIONAL DISTINCTION- a presentation of its entire body of original theatrical works by Denver African-American playwrights, which The SOURCE is developing for a larger scale presentation for the 7th Annual Celebrate African-American Theatre Day fundraiser in June 2020. For the Artist of Color Summit, The SOURCE will also offer two workshops; one conducted by Jimmy Walker on "Script Analysis", the other conducted by Hugo Jon Sayles on "Acting". Each workshop will utilize components of REGIONAL DISTINCTION.
For almost 50 years, artists who are now a part of The SOURCE Theatre Company (previously, members of this company belonged to Denver Black Arts, The Eulipions Theater Company and Shadow Theater Company) and Su Teatro have been working together: exchanging cultural and aesthetic traditions, making work together, standing in solidarity and representing POC artists in Denver on the frontlines.
The collaboration between Su Teatro and The SOURCE might be the longest standing POC arts collaboration in Denver, but it is not the only one. In fact, the POC arts landscape in our city is burgeoning with artists and cultural workers who have their own local and national connections but who, ironically, often tackle their daily work in isolation. The unique characteristics of the individuals involved in the 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit convening provides the opportunity for peer exchange and learning that if captured and codified properly, will have a field wide impact.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC, PART I will be presented at D.L. Parsons Theater, 11801Community Center Drive, 80233 at 7:30pm, February 7, 2020; and at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd, 80020 at 7:00pm, February 14, 2020. Tickets at D.L. Parsons Theater are $15 for adults; $13 for youth, seniors & military and $11 for groups. Tickets can be purchased at northglennarts.org or 303-450-8846. For Broomfield Auditorium information, call 720-887-2371.
The 6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color Summit will be held at Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, April 15 - 26, 2020. Tickets are $10 - $20. Tickets can be purchased online at suteatro.org or 303-296-0219. Recommended for mature audiences.
PRESS RELEASE
July 10, 2019
The SOURCE Theatre Company presents "Suicide Lies"
Denver, CO, July 10, 2019 - Suicide lies. It lies in wait for you or your loved ones. It lies to you, and it possibly lies within you. In August, The SOURCE Theatre Company will present SUICIDE LIES by Karon Majeel. The production is directed by Hugo Jon Sayles with a multi-cultural cast featuring Rav'n Moon, Maria Rodriguez, Iliana Barron, Laura Chavez, Angelica Rivera, OD Duhu, Esther Pinales, Camryn Nialah Torres, Ladios Muhammad & Shadi Kafi.
A graceful woman with multiple mental illness diagnoses and a toxic lifestyle takes us on a spiritual journey that sheds some light on the insidious nature of suicide through three stories. Elena (played by Laura Chavez) is a woman mourning the loss of her sister while caring for her troubled niece Mercedes (performed by Iliana Barron)- a singleton twin. Their contentious relationship leads to disaster.Carla (Camryn Nialah Torres) is a mid-west native living in Los Angeles who reconnects with her friends after recently having an abortion. Prophet Yolanda (Ladios Muhammad) is a Bible-toting minister of music with very bad habits and a dark side. She attends the funeral of her sister, along with a former party-girl turned social justice crusader and her late sister's binge-addict-partner-in-crime.
The SOURCE Theatre presents their productions within Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. SUICIDE LIES runs August 22 - September 7, 2019,Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm with a 2:00pm matinee Sunday, September 1. Tickets are $25 general admission, $17 for students (below age 19) and seniors (60+). Tickets can be purchased online at: thesourcedenver.org. Recommended for mature audiences.
PRESS RELEASE
March 16, 2019
The SOURCE Theatre Company presents "THE B WORD" at the 5th EVER WordFest
Denver, CO, March 16, 2019 - In April, The SOURCE Theatre Company will be presented by Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center in the 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit, performing The B Word, adapted from a narrative by Greg Tate as one of the festivals features.
Italians, French, Latinos, Chinese..."black"? Greg Tate's The B Word is an examination on the human need to define itself in its own terms- in its own image. It is the story of two former friends, Myles Sheridan and Mark Gavines, who renew their friendship after some years. Mark is a popular columnist for a leading newspaper. Myles is an independent, successful self-made business man who rails against the social order and rejects the myriad of slave names bestowed upon his people by the institution of slavery, and he valiantly fights for the right of self-definition, just as nations before him have done. Their meeting explores how the ethnic identity "Black" is not capitalized when juxtaposed with other ethnic nouns, and how Blackness is tied to self-esteem and personhood.
The SOURCE Theatre Company continues the effort to keep Black theater in Denver alive; evolving a 45 year legacy into something experimental, quirky, poignant shows with hip, stimulating, provocative, and risk-taking energy.
The SOURCE Theatre is housed within Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. The 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit runs April 17 - 28, 2019. The B Word by Greg Tate will be presented April 17 - 19, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 per person, $17 for students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at: suteatro.org or by calling the theatre box office at 303.296.0219. Recommended for mature audiences.
The SOURCE Theatre Company presents "The Last Judgment" at the 5th EVER WordFest
Denver, CO, March 16, 2019 - In April, The SOURCE Theatre Company will be presented in the 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit, presenting a reading of an excerpt from the novel-in-progress "The Last Judgement" by The SOURCE co-founder Arnold King.
Arnold King's "The Last Judgement" is an examination of the idea of good versus evil. Are humans either good or evil, or are they equally both, at all times? The excerpt, titled The Story of Dessalines, concerns Haitian immigrant Abel Dessalines, recalling his youth struggling against a life of drugs & police brutality, in the land of the free on the streets of Brooklyn at the turn of the millennium.
Growing up Black in America means dealing with conflicts of apprehension and esteem, of anger and doubt. Growing up a Black immigrant in America, however, can leave you constantly on the outside looking in; too Black for everyone. As Dessalines takes a look back at his own life, he feels the ties to the history of his native land- the first Black republic of the western hemisphere.
The SOURCE Theatre Company continues the effort to keep Black theater in Denver alive; evolving a 45 year legacy into something experimental, quirky, poignant shows with hip, stimulating, provocative, and risk-taking energy.
The SOURCE Theatre is housed within Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. The 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit runs April 17 - 28, 2019. Readings are presented Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at: suteatro.org or by calling the theatre box office at 303.296.0219. Recommended for mature audiences.
PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2019
A Simply Daring Beginning to a New Season for The SOURCE Theatre Company
Denver, CO, January 22, 2019 – In April, The SOURCE Theatre Company will be presented in the 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit, performing Loss of Self-Esteem [Working Title] by Greg Tate as one of the festivals features; and presenting a reading of the play Suicide Lies by Karon Majeel; as well as an excerpt from the novel-in-progress “The Last Judgement” by The SOURCE co-founder Arnold King.
Italians, French, Latinos, Chinese…”black”? Greg Tate’s Loss of Self-Esteem [Working Title] is an examination on the human need to define itself in its own terms- in its own image. It is the story of two former friends, Myles Sheridan and Mark Gavines, who renew their friendship after some years. Mark is a popular columnist for a leading newspaper. Myles is an independent, successful self-made business man who rails against the social order and rejects the myriad of slave names bestowed upon his people by the institution of slavery, and he valiantly fights for the right of self-definition, just as nations before him have done. Their meeting explores how the ethnic identity “Black” is not capitalized when juxtaposed with other ethnic nouns, and how Blackness is tied to self-esteem and personhood.
Arnold King’s “The Last Judgement” is an examination of the idea of good versus evil. Are humans either good or evil, or are they equally both, at all times? The excerpt concerns a Haitian immigrant struggling against a life of drugs & police brutality, in the land of the free on the streets of Brooklyn at the turn of the millennium.
Karon Majeel’s Suicide Lies is three stories that take you on a spiritual journey to shed some light on the insidious nature of suicide; because suicide lies. It lies in wait, for you or your loved ones, it lies to you and it possibly lies within you.
The SOURCE Theatre Company continues the effort to keep Black theater in Denver alive; evolving a 45 year legacy into something experimental, quirky, poignant shows with hip, stimulating, provocative, and risk-taking energy.
The SOURCE Theatre is housed within Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. The 5th EVER WordFest and Artists of Color (AOC) Summit runs April 17 – 28, 2019. Readings are presented Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10 per person. Featured presentations run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Loss of Self-Esteem [Working Title] by Greg Tate will be presented April 17 – 19. Tickets are $20 per person, $17 for students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at: suteatro.org or by calling the theatre box office at 303.296.0219. Recommended for mature audiences.
PRESS RELEASE
January 19, 2018
The SOURCE Theatre Company Rolls Out 2018 Season
Denver, CO, January 19, 2018 - The SOURCE Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of the original play Crying Wolf: Stories of the Lupus Warriors, written by Rhonda Jackson and directed by Khadija Haynes.
The play is an attempt to document what it’s like to live with a chronic autoimmune disease like Lupus. The stories are told with humility and humor.
Crying Wolf: Stories of the Lupus Warriors takes a creative approach by providing health awareness, education and entertainment for the audience.
The SOURCE Theatre is housed within Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center located at 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. The production opens February 8 and runs through February 17. Shows run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $20 per person, $15 for students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at: thesourcedenver.org or by calling the theatre box office at 720.375.0115. Recommended for mature audiences.
In April, The SOURCE teams up with Su Teatro to present the 4th EVER WordFest- a celebration of all things "word" featuring The Carpetbag Theatre in Speed Killed My Cousin by Linda Parris-Bailey and Carpa San Diego in And He Became A Man by Samuel Valdez. The 4th EVER WordFest opens April 17 and runs through April 28.
In May, The SOURCE Theatre Company presents The Life & Times of Ol' Alfred by Jon Ian Sales and directed by Hugo Jon Sayles. A remount of the Henry Award nominated play about an African-American family through the eyes of a patriarch. A time when the power of the family was paramount, and its history was the basis of building communities and nations.
The production opens May 24 and runs through June 9. Shows run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, with a Sunday matinee on June 3 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 per person, $17 for students/seniors.
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PRESS RELEASE
January 12, 2017
The SOURCE Theatre Company
to celebrate Eulipions & Shadow Theatre Company
Denver, CO, January 12, 2017 - This year, The SOURCE Theatre company invites Colorado's theatre community to join them in celebrating a landmark in theatre history! 2017 marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of Eulipions, the 20th anniversary of the founding of Shadow Theatre Company, and the 5th anniversary of The SOURCE Theatre Company.
Eulipions, Shadow and The SOURCE have all continued the artistic legacy first established by the Denver Black Arts Company in 1976, which launched the theatrical careers of Denver theatre icons such as Jo Bunton Keel, Jeffrey Nickelson, donnie l. betts & Hugo Jon Sayles- all of whom have preserved the culture and voice of the under-represented and under-served members of Colorado's theatre community.
Eulipions, Inc. was formed in 1982 by Jo Bunton Keel and Jimmy Walker as an organization dedicated to encouraging and fostering artistic and cultural works by and about people of color. The first space "Studio E" housed the Donald Todd Theatre- named in honor of a local educator and mentor whose motto "Excellence, not mediocrity" became the creed of the Eulipions family. Eulipions fulfilled that motto through the regional premieres of "The Gospel at Colonus" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", as well as productions such as "The Meeting", "Harlem Sweet Harlem", "A Soldier's Play" and "Black Nativity" before it's closing circa 1996.
Shadow Theatre Company was founded by Jeffrey Nickelson in 1997 with a $500 gift and a dream. The dream of an ambitious actor who wanted to let in artists who felt that they could never get into that open door. Shadow gets its name from the idea of bringing light to the shadows. Shadow Theatre Company challenged the community-at-large to participate in its determination to be an example of the re-emergence of community-based independence. Among it's most celebrated productions were a multi-ethnic production of "Macbeth", the original "In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story", the best-selling "Dinah Was" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe", and the award-winning "Joe Turner's Come and Gone".
After Shadow Theatre Company's closing in 2011, artistic members Hugo Jon Sayles, Jimmy Walker, Kiana Coney, Anastazia Coney & Arnold King went on to form The SOURCE Theatre Company- a non- exclusive African-American theatrical company dedicated to cultivating an ensemble of Colorado-based artists to create original theatrical works of cultural and historical significance about the African-American experience. After a cross-cultural collaborative production of "The Gospel of Colonus" with the Chicano theatre company Su Teatro in June 2013, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proclaimed June 15 to be "Celebrate African-American Theatre Day" to honor the rich traditions established by EDEN Theatrical Workshop, Denver Black Arts Company, Eulipions, Shadow Theatre Company and The SOURCE Theatre Company and the exemplary talent and dedication of the artists.
The 4th Annual Celebrate African-American Theatre Day, celebrating "35-20-5" will take place Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 3:00pm at the Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center 721 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204. There will be free food and free entertainment as we let the joy return!
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