INSIGHTS - December 2024 | Lone Tree Arts Center

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

Thanks to your support, 2024 has been a record-breaking year for the Lone Tree Arts Center. More people than ever before have walked through our doors this year to see our theatrical productions – our first full year since returning to producing, with the keep-‘em-guessing whodunnit THE MOUSETRAP and the wildly popular MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. I’m still in awe of the talent we had on our stage and behind the scenes; the set for THE MOUSETRAP is still one of the most detailed, impressive sets I’ve ever seen. We also saw more people attend performances by world-class touring artists like John Oates, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Tito Puente Jr, Jeremy Jordan, the Doo Wop Project, and Take 6. It’s hard to overstate how special it is to see these performers in our intimate theater; it’s an unforgettable experience like no other.

We’ve changed more lives than ever through our community impact programs like SPARK!, our free program for people in the early stages of memory loss and their caregivers, and our sensory inclusive programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. In particular, your support has enabled us to enhance these programs; for example, this year we began a partnership with Denver Pet Partners to have a presence at our sensory inclusive programs, with their specially trained dogs helping patrons feel more comfortable while they’re here. We also began a theater class for people with autism through a partnership with Phamaly Theatre Company.

Whether it’s a night out to forget about the stressors of the day, attending an afternoon SPARK! program where artists literally spark conversations that patrons don’t have throughout the course of their day, or elementary school students seeing a student matinee that makes learning fun, live performances enrich our well-being. We can’t do this programming without you, and we’re grateful for the difference you’re helping us make in people’s lives.

Happy, happy holidays, and see you in the lobby,

Leigh

City Council

Mayor
Mayor Marissa Harmon

District 1
Mayor Pro Tem
Jay Carpenter

Council Member
Mike Parr

District 2
Council Member
Mike Anderson

Council Member
Alecia Brown

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Main Stage Performances

The arts came to life on our Main Stage theater in 2024. From dynamic theatrical performances to a roster of legendary artists, we provided unforgettable arts experiences throughout the year.

Arts in the Afternoon - Shakespeare in Love

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The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie

Directed by Sam Gregory

Stage Manager: Erock / Assistant Stage Manager: Randy St Pierre

Cast: Brik Berkes, Colten Blair, Rachel Darden, Alex Esola, Tara Falk, Sean Johnson, Erika Mori, Soren Oliver

Sound Design: Jason Ducat / Lighting Design: Jonathan Dunkle / Scenic Design: Kevin Nelson / Wig Designer: Jocelen Smith / Costume Design: Emily Valley / Properties: Katie Webster / Dialect Coach: Gin Walker / Casting: Sylvia Gregory

Million Dollar Quartet

Directed by Randal Myler

Stage Manager: Erock / Assistant Stage Manager: Randy St Pierre

Cast: Dom Scott, Charlton James, Jeremy Sevelovitz, Peter Oyloe, Nick Voss, Trenna Barnes, Daniel Bailey, Mike Lucchetti

Sound/Audio Mixing: Allen Noftal / Lighting Design: Jonathan Dunkle / Scenic Design: Kevin Nelson / Costume Design: Kevin Copenhaver / Understudy Casting: Sylvia Gregory

Community Engagement

In 2024, we reaffirmed our commitment to working with all people from around the community. This year, we added a partnership with Denver Pet Partners for our sensory inclusive events allowing neurodiverse attendees to have a calming presence. We continued our Usher Training Program partnership with Wellspring Community, in which participants with disabilities learn transferable customer service skills through learning to be an usher at performing arts events. We presented a panel in our At the Table series entitled “Talking the Talk, Walking the Walk,” in which artists and arts administrators of color discussed the importance of representation in the arts industry. We also ventured out into our community with some of our touring artists including a seated dance workshop at Morningstar Senior Living Ridgegate with nationally renowned company, BODYTRAFFIC.

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Night In Memphis Gala

In October, the Arts Center hosted our annual fundraising event, this year called “A NIGHT IN MEMPHIS.” Attendees danced to music from the local blues band the Delta Sonics and enjoyed the best Southern food the Denver area has to offer. Through the generosity of individual donors and corporate sponsors, we raised just over $76,000 to support our life-changing community impact programs. Click to view all the photos from the night.

Visual Arts

The Lone Tree Arts Commission continued filling our walls with work from incredible artists around the region. In 2024, we hosted exhibitions including the Lone Tree Art Expo, Finding the Light: Lone Tree Photo show, and FourSight, an exhibition featuring four artists that collaborated to create new work.

Classes

Creating new educational opportunities for our community members became a priority in 2024 as we added a class called Drama Games for Youth with Autism. A partnership with Phamaly Theater Company, this class offered young people with autism the chance to learn from local theater artists using the Hunter Heartbeat Method, a curriculum designed to allow autistic individuals to share how it feels to be alive and celebrate their identity.

Ferdinand and Miranda III Ben and George 29 Oct 24 (1)

Ferdinand and Miranda II Gavin Ben Sophie 29 Oct 24

Ferdinand and Miranda Ben and George 29 Oct 24 (1)

For the Kids

In 2024, we welcomed thousands of young people to the Arts Center to experience the power of the performing arts. We hosted Seedlings performances for pre-K children that opened young people’s eyes as they learned about music, dance, animals, and more. We hosted classes from schools around our region for field trips focused on arts, science, and literacy, including science experiments from the dynamic Doktor Kaboom and the University of Wonder and Imagination.