Curious Theatre Company
Annual Impact Report A Year of Resilience, Imagination, and Momentum
Letter from Leadership This year at Curious Theatre Company has been one defined not simply by persistence, but by possibility. As our organization navigated transition, adaptation, and growth, we remained rooted in the belief that theatre has the power to connect people, challenge perspectives, and build community. Thanks to the extraordinary support of our donors, funders, board members, artists, patrons, and community partners, Curious continued to create space for bold storytelling and meaningful dialogue while laying the groundwork for an exciting new chapter. This season reminded us that impact is measured not only by the productions onstage, but by the conversations sparked afterward, the artists supported throughout the process, the students discovering their voices for the first time, and the audiences who continue to show up seeking connection. We are especially energized by what lies ahead. Our residency partnership with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance opens new opportunities for collaboration, accessibility, and artistic innovation while allowing us to continue serving our community in dynamic ways. Curious remains committed to producing courageous theatre that reflects the complexity of the world around us — theatre that asks urgent questions, amplifies diverse voices, and invites audiences into deeper understanding. None of this is possible without you. Thank you for believing in the mission of Curious Theatre Company and investing in the future of bold, socially relevant theatre in Denver. With gratitude, Producing Artistic Director and Board Chair Jada & Greg
Stories of impact “Curious always makes space for me to think and feel so deeply and connect with my and others' humanity in new and beautiful ways. Thank you! Audience members consistently shared that Curious productions challenged them to think differently, engage more deeply, and continue conversations long after leaving the theatre.
“This is the first play I’ve been to where I felt seen and heard in ways I can’t always explain” By centering bold, contemporary storytelling and diverse perspectives, Curious continues to foster experiences where audiences feel seen, heard, and connected.
“This is why live theatre matters.” In a time when authentic connection feels increasingly rare, Curious remains a place where people gather together to experience empathy, dialogue, and collective imagination.
By the numbers
Organizational Highlights
5
Productions Presented
66
Artists Empoyed
9525
Audience Members Served
643
Student participants engaged through education programs
46
Community conversations and engagement events hosted
468
Donor households supporting Curious
By the numbers
Financial Snapshot It takes a community to make bold theatre possible. Curious's 2025–26 season was supported by a mix of ticket revenue, individual giving, foundation and government support, special events, and corporate partnerships. This diverse funding allows us to take artistic risks, pay artists, welcome audiences, and create meaningful experiences both onstage and throughout our community.
Earned Revenue
Individual Giving
Foundation Support
Government Support
Special Events
Corporate Sponsorships
Government Support 7%
Earned Revenue 40.9%
Foundation Support 25%
Individual Giving 25.3%
a season of
bold
storytelling
This season, Curious continued its long-standing commitment to producing work that is fearless, socially engaged, and artistically ambitious. Across every production, audiences gathered not only to be entertained, but to wrestle with urgent questions, explore complex humanity, and experience the transformative power of live theatre. Each production became an invitation into deeper conversation — about identity, justice, relationships, resilience, belonging, and hope.
At Eureka Day School, everyone values inclusion, community, and making sure every voice is heard. But when a public health crisis forces the school to make an impossible decision, good intentions collide with deeply held beliefs. Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day is a hilarious, razor-sharp comedy about what happens when a community committed to consensus suddenly can’t agree.
20
Performances
16
Artists Employed
1906
4
Audience Members
Post-Show Conversations
After a very public breakdown at the tech company where she works, Jane must attend therapy before she can return to the job that has consumed her life. What begins as a required session quickly transforms into a gripping psychological showdown, as the balance of power between Jane and her therapist begins to shift. Max Wolf Friedlich’s JOB is a tense, darkly funny thriller exploring technology, ambition, trauma, and the hidden costs of our always-online world.
18
Performances
10
Artists Employed
1839
4
Audience Members
Post-Show Conversations
When a mother arrives at her local library determined to have a book removed from the shelves, she finds herself face-to-face with a librarian equally determined to defend it. What begins as a battle over one book quickly becomes something much more complicated, as questions of censorship, parenting, education, and who gets to decide what young people are ready to encounter come sharply into focus. Sharyn Rothstein’s Bad Books is a funny, provocative, and deeply human play about what happens when two people who both believe they’re doing the right thing find themselves on opposite sides of the same story.
18
Performances
12
Artists Employed
1847
5
Audience Members
Post-Show Conversations
On her 17th birthday, Ernestine Ashworth declares that her life will be an epic adventure. Noah Haidle’s Birthday Candles follows her across nearly a century of birthdays, all unfolding in the same kitchen as she bakes the same butter cake year after year. Funny, tender, and full of surprises, this moving play celebrates love, loss, family, and the extraordinary moments hidden within an ordinary life.
20
Performances
18
Artists Employed
2229
5
Audience Members
Post-Show Conversations
Once inseparable, cousins Sade and Mina have grown up and followed very different paths. When a family loss brings them home, Mina reunites with Sade, who has been temporarily released from prison on furlough. A.K. Payne’s poetic and deeply moving Furlough’s Paradise explores family, freedom, grief, and the complicated bonds that connect us, even when life pulls us in different directions.
19
Performances
12
Artists Employed
1420
3
Audience Members
Post-Show Conversations
The
24 Hour
plays
The
24 Hour
plays Denver
One day. No safety net. Endless possibilities. The 24 Hour Plays Denver brings together some of the city’s most exciting playwrights, directors, actors, and theatre artists for a whirlwind celebration of creativity. In just 24 hours, brand-new plays are written, rehearsed, and brought to the stage for one night only. The result is unpredictable, exhilarating, and completely of the moment: theatre created by Denver, for Denver, right before your eyes. The 24 Hour Plays Denver reminds us that sometimes the most exciting way to reach a summit is to start climbing before you know exactly where the trail will lead. Artists summit an extraordinary creative challenge together, speak through stories that simply didn’t exist the day before, and stir an audience with the electricity that only truly live theatre can create. For Curious, it’s also a celebration of the incredible artistic community around us, bringing artists and audiences together to take a creative risk, embrace the unexpected, and discover just how much can happen in 24 hours.
Education & Community Engagement At Curious, we believe theatre is a powerful tool for self-expression, empathy, and confidence-building. This year, our education and outreach programs created opportunities for young people to discover their creativity, collaborate with peers, and build confidence both on and off stage. Students shared that Curious gave them space to:
“Be my weird, creative self.” “Learn that kindness and compassion gets you out of sticky situations.”
“Be confident.” “Understand that I’m not alone in my weird brain.” These reflections remind us that the impact of theatre extends far beyond performance. Through arts education, students learn communication, collaboration, imagination, and the courage to use their voices. Our teaching artists helped students: Explore storytelling and performance Build confidence and communication skills Strengthen empathy and collaboration Discover creativity and imagination Experience belonging through ensemble work
A New Chapter:
Residency at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
This upcoming season year also marks an exciting step forward as Curious entered into residency with Cleo Parker Robinson. This partnership represents more than a temporary home — it reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, community connection, and cultural vitality in Denver. The residency creates opportunities for: Expanded artistic collaboration Greater community visibility and accessibility Continued production continuity during transition Cross-disciplinary creative partnerships Building toward a vibrant future for Curious As we look ahead, we are energized by the possibilities this partnership creates for artists and audiences alike.
Looking Ahead The future of Curious Theatre Company is filled with momentum. As we continue expanding partnerships, investing in artists, supporting students, and producing courageous work, we remain guided by the belief that theatre can illuminate, challenge, and transform. In the coming year, Curious will continue to: Produce bold, socially relevant theatre Invest in new play development and local artists Expand educational and community programming Strengthen accessibility and audience engagement Build long-term organizational sustainability Deepen partnerships across Denver’s cultural landscape This moment is not simply about sustaining Curious — it is about imagining what is possible next.
Season 28 Board of Directors
Greg Laugero President
Michael Potts Vice President
Marike Fitzgerald Tanya Ahmed Secretary
Elisa Canova
Shari Raders
TJ Sullivan
Alyssa Williams
Jada Suzanne Dixon
Cajardo Lindsey
Erik Sandvold
Board Liaison
Board Liaison
Producing Artistic Director
Season 28 Staff
Jada Suzanne Dixon
Andrew Moser
Katelyn “Katie” Flynn
Producing Artistic Director
Business Manager
Front of House Supervisor
Emily Whalen
Wayne Breyer
Christy Montour-Larson
Marketing Manager
Production Manager Artistic Producer & Literary Manager
Michael Morgan
Desiree Mee Jung
Josh Hartwell
Bookkeeper
Education Assistant
Technical Director
Season 28 Artistic Company
Thank You! To our donors, foundations, corporate partners, board members, artists, subscribers, volunteers, and audiences: You made this possible. Because of you, 5 bold productions came to life on the Curious stage. Because of you, 9,591 artists and audience members found a place to connect, create, question, and belong at Curious. Because of you, 643 students and community members experienced the power of theatre beyond our stage. Because of you, fearless stories were told, artists were supported, conversations were sparked, and our community grew stronger. And because of you, Curious is building toward its next chapter. Every performance, every conversation, every student reached, and every story shared is possible because you chose to believe in the work we do. Thank you for making Curious possible. We can’t wait to show you what we’ll build together next.
MAJOR SPONSORS & INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
Bowen Family Performing Arts Field of Interest Fund Colorado Gives Foundation Eulipions Fund The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Schlessman Family Foundation The NowHere Fund
Curious Theatre Company is supported by Colorado Creative Industries, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
11th Avenue Hostel Madgreens Olive & Finch Torchy’s Tacos
Arvada Center Aurora Fox Performing Arts Center Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company CityCast Denver CityStreet Investors/Schoolyard Denver Film Denver Public Library Local Theatre Company Miners Alley Performing Arts RDGPhotography Ten50 The Spot Climbing Gym Zing Credit Union
INDIVIDUAL DONORS BELOW IS A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT THEATRE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, & WHO GAVE BOLDY, FIERCELY, & GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT FEARLESS ART. DONATIONS DATED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, AUG. 1 2025 TO JULY 31, 2026. MONTHLY SUPPORTERS Curious Guardians Nancy and Joel Portnoy-Silverman Curious Heroes Joseph Miltimore Patricia Simpson Curious Builders Anonymous Susan Brickey Jada Suzanne Dixon Terri Hoopes Katherine Houston Amy Le Sandra Roberts-Taylor Marjorie Schaffner
10,000+ Bowen Family Performing Arts Fund Dr. Richard Cohn & Susan Cooper Greg and Marike Fitzgerald Charitable Fund Harmonious Fund The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Chip Horne & Dr Jan Kennaugh Diana and Mike Kinsey Michael Potts
$5,000-$9,999 Julie Mordecai Fund Fredricka Jura Ellen and Dale LaGow Lynne and Jon Montague-Clouse
$1000-$4,999 Richard and Joanne Akeroyd Dianna Barrett J. Robert Brown Judy Cadwallader
$1000-$4,999, con’t Paulette DePumpo David Dobek Sheldon Friedman John Goff Mark Groshek Greg Laugero Paul Manoogian Nancy McMahon Bonnie O'Connell Richard Sanders Irene Sandvold Sammy Scoma Rodney Shuff Susan Stark Susan Weinstein Alyssa Williams Lin Williams Jamie White & Andrew Sirotnak Mary Zinn
$500-$999 Antonia Balducci Wanda Blackburn and Eliot Brown Jeanenne Bragg and Dane Torbenson Lawrence Berliner Armando & Shawn Bustamante Katie Cymbala Lois and Bruce Feinstein Kevin Fitzpatrick Caroline Fuller Jessie Harris Denis Kissounko Michael McNeill Fay Plummer Nancy and Joel Portnoy-Silverman Sheri Raders Eleanor Reiter Ellen Reiter Lynn and Roger Ritvo Leanna S Meg Satrom
$100-$499 Lari Abraham Nathanya Ahamed Elizabeth Anderman Debra Armbruster Christine Arnold Kelli Barton Rabbi Eliot and Dr. Hilary Baskin Deborah Behrens Paul & Erica Borillo Libby Bortz Rick Brainerd Gwen Brewer Susan Brickey Rose Cardinal Karen Carpenter Vicki Childs Matthew & Jennifer Clements Sandy & John Coates Arthur “Tee” Cowperthwaite Laura “La” Cowperthwaite Jack Crosby Heather Dahms Charles Davenport Dick Devin Michael Dieveney David and Jada Suzanne Dixon John Donohoe Lawrence and Cheryl Dorsey Arlene Dykstra Richard Eidlin Sandra Farkas Stephen and Laura Feldman Joseph Fillmore Lee Fisher-Rosenberg Kim Mary Fitzgerald Sigrid Freese Louis Freese Molly Gardner Sandra Goldman Barbara Goodman William Gorham Kathryn L Gray Felicity Hannay Caitlin Henkel Jessy Hennesy Markas Henry Ellen Hertzman Carl Higginson Jean Hodges Terri Hoopes Ben Horne Herman Hoying
$100-$499, con’t David and Deb Janik Kathryn Jens Robert Keatinge Carla and Richard Kem Amy Kennedy and Steve Miller Barbara Kessel Roberta and Mel Klein Charles Knight Richard Koseff Betty Kuehner Ann Kusic Elaine Leass Juanita MacKenzie Rudy Melena Julie Meyers Carolee Miller Thomas Miller Mark and Christy Montour-Larson Mike and Ann Moore Susan Motika Normal Mueller Mark Mulligan Elizabeth Murray Margaret Nelson Shepard Nevel Allison Olien Susan Osgood John Parkinson Russell Pierce Joesph Pompei Beth Rabin Barry Reed Zoe Reese Jennifer Rhulen Sandra Roberts-Taylor Joshua Robinson Linda Rosales Johanna Rowan Lee Sammons Stuart Sanks Carol and Michael Sarche Matthew H Savoie Kenneth Schade Marjorie Schaffner Marshall Schecter Elizabeth Schneider Judith Schulman Victoria Scott-Haynes Katrina Shanks Patricia and David Shelton Way Shen Karen Slack
$100-$499, con’t Susan Stakel Ralph Staudte T. J. Sullivan Kay Taylor Colman Tuggle Lorenzo Ubias Elizabeth Vernon Thomas Walker Donna and Tom Ward Ben Warden Matthew Wardlow Adriana Weinberg Robert “Sonny” Wiegand II Julie Williamson Takiyah Wilson James Wood and Felicity Hannay Gaye Woods Charles Zable Katie Ziegler
Contact Information Curious Theatre Compay Mailing: 1080 Acoma St. Denver, CO 80204
Non-Profit Organization
Currently in Residence: Cleo Parker Robison Dance Historic Shorter AME 119 Park Ave W Denver, CO 80205
Follow us @CuriousTheatreCompany @curioustheatre @curious.theatre @curious-theatre-company @curioustheatrecompany1080
www.CuriousTheatre.org Box office: 303.623.0524 or boxoffice@curioustheatre.org