56 APRIL 6-12, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | a corporation called BANR, whose ultimate goal is world domination. A satire that pro- duced as many laughs as it did deeply mov- ing moments, From on High was a unique take on capitalism that beckoned audiences to return for repeat viewings. The group hasn’t put on a production since then, but we’re hoping to see more this year. Best Theater Company Programming Firehouse Theater Company 7653 East 1st Place 303-562-3232 fi rehousetheatercompany.com Whether partnering with Aurora’s 5280 Artist Co-Op to tell a story about Black female homesteaders in Flyin’ West or bringing Kate Hamill’s edgy adaptation of Pride & Prejudice to the stage last year, Firehouse Theater Company regularly offers a mix of classic theater and newer productions, many of which center on the stories of marginalized communities. Operating out of the John Hand Theater (and former fi rehouse) on the Colorado Free University campus in Lowry, the space feels intimate and accessible for budding actors in a way few theaters do, while still offering a mesmerizing live experience. It all started with John Hand, but after his death in 2004, his sis- ter, Helen, stepped in to lead this still- fl edgling organization — and the rest, as they say, is history. Best Theatrical Milestone Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center 721 Santa Fe Drive 303-296-0219 suteatro.org On the wings of a fi fty-year anniversary, Tony Garcia and his intrepid crew at the Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Cen- ter were able to accomplish a miracle: The company, which began by performing in the streets of Auraria and the Westside, was able to pay off the mortgage on the old Denver Civic Theatre, a venue it had been working out of since 2010. With Su Teatro’s typically humorous touch, the theater invited the public to a toast and a mortgage-burning — or at least the acting out of one — in January. Best Jump Start for BIPOC Playwrights Emerging BIPOC Playwrights Project, Flamboyán Theater fl amboyantheatre.com/emerging-bipoc- playwrights-project Flamboyán Theater founder Jon Marcan- toni, who is a playwright, fi ction writer, editor and all-around theater honcho, knows fi rsthand how hard it is for play- wrights of color to get their plays read, let alone produced and staged before an audi- ence. Articulate and resourceful, Marcan- toni knew he had the chops to help. The result is the Emerging BIPOC Playwrights Project, a fully realized program in collabo- ration with Control Group Productions. Now in session, the project explores basic training in theater and is trailblazing new ideas about staging a play. Best Inclusive Theater Company Phamaly Theatre Company 3532 Franklin Street 303-365-0005 phamaly.org Comprising only disabled performers, Phamaly Theatre Company produces stir- ring plays that allow people traditionally shunned from the industry to collaborate and share their talents. It was the subject of the 2021 documentary Imperfect, which followed director Regan Linton as she en- deavored to put on Phamaly’s production of Chicago during its thirtieth season in 2019. And in 2022, Phamaly was recognized at the Colorado Theatre Guild’s annual Henry Awards, where the company’s fi ve founders were given Lifetime Achievement Awards. The theater partnered with Su Teatro last fall for a riveting, immersive performance of The Rocky Horror Show, and is currently presenting Spring Awakening at North- glenn Arts until April 8. Best Performance Art Festival Denver Fringe Festival denverfringe.org The Denver Fringe Festival has done well for itself, especially considering that its fi rst two iterations, in 2020 and 2021, occurred during the pandemic. The four-day cele- bration of the performing arts hosted its fi rst fully in-person festival in 2022, at ven- ues scattered across RiNo and Five Points, with forty unique shows produced by local creatives. Attendees get to see everything from cabaret and burlesque to aerial and circus arts, musical theater, magic shows and more. Endeavoring to be as inclusive and fair as possible, the curation process is open-access, meaning nearly every submis- sion is accepted, and if there is not enough space for all applicants, a lottery, rather than a jury, is used to approve works. Even better, 70 percent of the festival’s proceeds goes to the artists themselves. Best Film Festival Programming Aspen Film Shortsfest 970-925-6882 aspenfi lm.org Each year in April, the much-esteemed Aspen Film Shorts- Arts and Entertainment continued from page 55 continued on page 58
