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THE ROOTS

The Denver Black Arts Legacy

The SOURCE Theatre Company is a continuation of an artistic vision of African-American theatre in Denver that began in 1976 with the Denver Black Arts Company- the company that initially nurtured today's leaders in African-American theatre.  The SOURCE has evolved into a theatre company to continue the legacy that has passed from the Denver Black Arts Company to Eulipions Inc. and to Shadow Theatre Company. The SOURCE intends to take the artistic spirit that took root 36 years ago and move it into the future.

DENVER BLACK ARTS COMPANY

DENVER BLACK ARTS LEGACY 1976 - 1980

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ABOUT DBAC

The Denver Black Arts Company represented a vital part of the evolution of Black Theatre in Denver.  Over the prior 15 years, several theatre companies had emerged from Northeast Denver, providing work for community actors and plays highlighting minority culture and experiences.
The DBAC itself emerged from Nudijah Productions, a company formed by actress/poetress/writer Khadijah Farabi and actor Noomis Jones.  Under Farabi’s direction, Nudijah inspired many blacks to think collectively in developing clout for black artists by producing original scripts and workshop classes to provide artistic training.
John McCallum was an actor for Nudijah, later becoming the musical director.  McCallum wrote Daft, the first full-length musical performed by the company.  With Nudijah Productions and Jump Street (the band McCallum was part of at the time), Daft touched Colorado campuses and widened the audience for the Black Arts.
In 1976, Farabi and Jones moved to California.  John McCallum and Jo Keel formed the Denver Black Arts Company and the Movement Free Dance Company, which worked in consort since their founding.
The formation of the DBAC propelled Denver's Black Theatre arts to a new level.  The company became recognized for its innovative, original musical productions written, adapted and/or directed by John McCallum.  Productions like The Hobbit, and Avatar.  Other productions involving the DBAC included The Wiz and Tambourines to Glory, which were produced by The Bonfils Theatre.  DBAC established itself as an artistic force within the community.  The local press described the DBAC as the “talent pool” of the region.
Many of today's prolific artists in Denver's black theatre came out of that pool.  Jo Bunton Keel- founder of Eulipions, Hugo Jon Sayles, Janice Guy-Sayles, Jeffrey Nickelson- founder of Shadow Theatre Company, Jimmy Walker, Donnie L. Betts, Dwayne Carrington, Carroll McCallum, Vincent Hardy, Carlton Bacon, Debbie Johnson Lee, Vincent C Robinson, Shahadah James & Kenneth Grimes are just a few such artists.
In 1979, John McCallum moved to New York, passing the responsibility of the company to Kenneth Grimes.

BACKGROUND

The Denver Black Arts Company (DBAC) was a unique and culturally exciting organization.  They were formed in January of 1977 by John McCallum to give primarily black and minority actors an outlet to study, rehearse and perform plays, musicals, dramas, concerts, variety shows, dances, mimes and any other cultural form that relate to Black Art or involves Blacks.  The Black Arts Company was divided into two companies:  the Novice Company (for beginners and hobbyists) and the Semi-Pro Troupe (for those persons preparing for the professional stage).  The Semi-Pro Troupe’s immediate goal was to become a self-sustained performing company of professional caliber which offered quality theatre to anyone with an interest in the arts.

DBAC was affiliated with the CSU Family Action Center and was a non-profit making organization. 

DBAC PRODUCTIONS

 

Daft* - by John McCallum - 1976

The Hobbit* - adapted by John McCallum - 1977

Scrooge* - adapted by Lillie Betts - 1977

A Celebration of Life* - by Debra Ferguson - 1977

Avatar* - by John McCallum - 1977

Don’t Lose* - by John McCallum - 1978

A Wish for Avatar* - by John McCallum - 1978

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men - by Lonne Elder III - 1978

The Brownsville Raid - by Charles Fuller - 1978

The River Niger - by Joseph Walker - 1979

Vignette* - by Kenneth Grimes - 1979

Barca: Men of Lightning* - by Kenneth Grimes - 1979

The Owl Killers - by Phillip Hayes Dean - 1979

Together, Happiness* - by DBAC - 1979

Avatar* - by John McCallum - 1979


* DBAC original production

ABOUT THE FOUNDER OF DBAC

John Edward McCallum, Jr. (1952 - 1989) was the founder & artistic director of Denver Black Arts Company. 

While John was attending East High School, he was torn between pursuing a career in theatre and music, or becoming a forest ranger.  Fortunately for Denver's theatre goers, he chose the former.  A writer, director, producer, singer, composer and actor, he was no stranger to Denver theatre.  John was nominated for a prestigious Audulco Award for musical direction,   attended the University of Northern Colorado as a Music major, earned a B.A. in Musical Theatre (composition) from Antioch University and a M.A. in Theatre (writing & directing) from Long Island University C.W. Post Center.  He also received honors for producing the best student show there.  He won the Paul Robeson Cultural Arts Award (1978), La Anna Cultural Arts Award and the Barney Ford Acheivement Honor. 

His professional career began in 1972 when he produced his first jazz/rock musical Daft.  He also wrote and directed The Hobbit, Avatar, Don't LoseAre There Really Angels in the Sun?, In Pursuit of Happiness, Rhapsody in Black, Footsteps, The Midnight Visit and A Wish for Avatar.  Being a musical theatre specialist and pianist, Mr. McCallum’s music encompasses several popular styles.  His credits include composing scores for The Writing on the Wall, Gods Before Olympus and Thesmorporiasousae; a tour with the Festival Caravan sponsored by the Bonfils Theatre; tours in the public school system; local television spots on "Denver Now", "Noonday", "Aisha" and other shows; the leading male role in the UNC production of Porgy & Bess; the role of Plutarch in his original production Daft; Pedro in Man of La Mancha and lead Globolink in the choreographed play Help! Help! The Globolinks!,  and he has also performed in How Do You Do?, Time Caps and Yeah, Uh-Huh

He was a diversified pianist and singer who played keyboards and sang vocals for James Cleveland, Bloodstone, Roy Ayers and his band - Jump Street.  He was a musician with Free Spirit and danced with Movement Free Dance Company.  Mr. McCallum toured throughout the U.S., Europe and South America and served as musical director for several productions such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway, The Wiz, Tambourines to Glory, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground and In the House of Blues, working in theatres that included the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, La Mama’s, Little Theatre of the Rockies, Post Theatre Company, MacMillian Theatre and Nudijah Productions.  John had about reached his goals when a fatal heart attack ended his life on January 23, 1989.

In 1990, the John McCallum Music and Arts Scholarship was established in memory of John Edward McCallum, Jr.  The McCallum family established a $500 scholarship fund which would be awarded to any eligible High School or College student.

He will be remembered for being instrumental in getting many of Colorado’s black actors started in the theatre.

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DENVER BLACK ARTS LEGACY 1982 - 1999

EULIPIONS INC.

ABOUT EULIPIONS

Eulipions was a non-profit organization co-founded in 1982 by CEO and Executive Diretor Jo Bunton Keel.  The word Eulipions, which means "author of love", is a jazz term created by the renowned jazz artist Rashaan Roland Kirk.  The acheivements of the Eulipions Cultural Center have been acclaimed throughout the metro Denver community.  Eulipions' numerous awards include: The Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, the 1989 Denver Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Theatre Production (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), the Downtown Denver Partnership 1992 Business of the Year, Denver Post Critic's Choice and the Rocky Mountain News Reader's Choice for Theatre 1994.

THE MISSION:  Eulipions was a non-profit tax-exempt organization which fostered, promoted and preserved the artistic expression of Denver's diverse communities with an emphasis on the African-American heritage and lifestyles.

THE PHILOSOPHY:  Eulipions was founded to ensure that the residents of Denver realize a true opportunity to have the highest quality of ats touch their lives so that no person is deprived access to the arts by reason of inadequate income, inadequate education, or social/cultural patterns unresponsive to diverse ethnic groups' needs.

THE CREED:  "Excellence, not mediocrity!" - Donald Todd, educator and mentor.

WHERE EULIPIONS LIVED

Eulipions' 1st home at 2870 Colorado Boulevard

Eulipions' 2nd home at 2750 Welton Street

Eulipions' 3rd home at 2415 Welton Street

The Eulipions' 4th and final home was the Eulipions Cultural Center at 1770 Sherman Street, renamed from the El Jebel Shrine Temple which Eulipions purchased from the Rocky Mountain Scottish Rite Masons in 1995.  A valued historical landmark, this remarkable Moorish style structure was designed by the noted architects H.W. Baerresen Brothers and built for the Shriners in 1907.  The interior of the building is highly ornate and features detail unique within the City of Denver.  The gold-pillared ballroom is said to be a reproduction of the Spanish Alhambra.  Other unusual areas include a 550-seat Egyptian-inspired theatre, an English Gothic-inspired lounge and a Turkish-inspired meeting room.  The buildings striking interiors feature colorful walls and ceilings hand-painted with complex designs, magnificent stained glass, and  superb woodwork.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER OF EULIPIONS

Rosetta Jo Richards was born on January 6, 1944 in Middleport, Ohio to Arnold and Florence Richards. Even as a child, Jo expressed a desire to dance. Her earliest experiences with dance include the secret lessons given to her by a neighbor. Jo also had a passion for knowledge and Black history which was nurtured throughout her school years by her parents, who made sure reading and studying were always encouraged in the home.
In 1961, after high school, she entered Ohio University with chemistry as her major. She also made the decision to take dance classes. It was here that her dance passion was further ignited through her involvement with the Orpheus Dance Club.
In 1968 Jo married and moved to Denver. She became the proud mother of Brett Bunton. Brett followed in his mothers foot steps and became a dancer. One of Jo's proudest moments was when Brett began dancing professionally in Las Vegas.


A divorce and a desire to change careers had Jo looking for an opportunity to further explore her artistic side.  She met Cleo Parker Robinson and soon began dancing as one of the earliest members of Cleo's internationally known dance company.
Soon after, Jo was offered a job with the Model Cities Cultural Program as a dance instructor. This led to another offer of a position with the Colorado State University Extension program. The program's concept was to use cultural arts to introduce extension program services to inner city youth.


During this time Jo remarried musician Joseph Keel. To this union was born another son, Miles Keel. Jo was and still is Miles' number one fan and supporter. At Miles' football games, Jo's vocal support and the shaking of her famous jug of pennies was legendary. Even as a "sports mom" Jo displayed great diction, projection and excellent use of props.


It was also during this time Jo met Jimmy Walker. Together they molded the Movement Free Dance Company. Movement Free joined with local playwright and musician John McCallum- founder of the Denver Black Arts Company. Together they created and produced theatrical works that excited and energized the black arts scene in Denver.


After leaving her position with CSU, Jo took a major step in making her cultural center vision a reality. In 1982, she and Jimmy formed Eulipions, Inc. - an organization dedicated to encourage and foster 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 our Eulipions family. Although Jo was now commuting daily to her job as director of the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center in Greeley, she continued to guide with a passionate hand. Under her leadership, Eulipions won numerous awards and proved itself to be a major theatrical force throughout Colorado for 20 years.


In July of 1996, Jo suffered a devastating loss with the passing of her oldest son Brett. The pain of this loss also affected our close knit Eulipions family deeply. Over the many years we would experience many life events, births, deaths, marriages, etc and Jo always remained a pillar of strength and support.


In 2000, Jo's love for knowledge and community led her to Montbello High School where she continued to teach, mentor and encourage youth both in the classroom and administratively until 2010.


Jo recently retired from her position at PUSH Academy where she trained and guided teachers as only Jo can.

Mother to many, she became

Sister/Friend/Godmother/Grandmother/Mentor/Colleague

to many more.

We celebrate the life and work of JO BUNTON KEEL.

A PHENOMENAL WOMAN

EULIPIONS PRODUCTIONS

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SHADOW THEATRE COMPANY

DENVER BLACK ARTS LEGACY 1997 - 2011

ABOUT SHADOW THEATRE COMPANY

 

Founded by Jeffrey Nickelson in 1997, Shadow Theatre Company (Shadow)- one of the nation's premier African-American theatre companies, answered the artistic and spiritual necessity of creating a Black theatre for the Rocky Mountain region.

Shadow began its journey with a $500 gift to produce its first production- Innocent Thoughts, and a dream.  The dream of an ambitious actor, tired of working on stage mostly one month out of any given year, 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's performances reflected upon the social morés of its time, challenging audience members to reconsider their own values, attitudes and actions. In addition to its theatrical season, each summer Shadow provided an intensive, five-week artist-in-residence program for area youth that culminated in a full production led, produced, directed and performed by program participants.

Shadow presented 58 productions and received countless awards including the Mayors Award for Excellence in the Arts and numerous Denver Post Ovation Awards and nominations.

MISSION:  The mission of Shadow was to develop cultural awareness through theatre and to provide an understanding, respect and appreciation of our history and culture as expressed from the heart of the human condition.

VISION:  Shadow Theatre Company consistently sought to provide a vehicle of artistic expression for Colorado's indigenous actors, artists, and writers that was to be non-exclusive to any and all cultural communities and take responsibility for educating children through an "edutainment" format designed to empower youth by promoting positive peer influence with a primary focus on African-American and Latino youth.

 

Shadow Theatre Company strove to challenge the community-at-large to participate in its determination to be an example of the re-emergence of community-based independence.

HISTORY OF SHADOW

1997/1998 - Shadow Theatre Company begins as a for-profit theatre company, performing at the Ralph Waldo Emerson Center presenting the regional premiere of Innocent Thoughts.

 

1998/1999 - Shadow produces 2 original plays: Voices from the Soul & In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story.

1999/2000 - With the closing of the historic Eulipions, Shadow Theatre Company becomes Denver's only black theatre company in continuous operation.

2000/2001 - Shadow begins the summer youth program with Xpressions 2000.

2001/2002 - Shadow recruits esteemed director Israel Hicks to remount In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story, which earns Shadow it's first Ovation Award.

2002/2003 - Shadow Theatre Company premieres its 4th original production- Sweet Corner Symphony.

2003/2004 - Shadow employs director Buddy Butler for an Afro-centric Shakespearean production.

2004/2005 - Shadow earns its first Ovation Award for Best Drama with the regional premiere of Topdog/Underdog.

2005/2006 - Shadow produces 3 regional premieres, including a play by Ted Lange.

2006/2007 - First year of CRUNK, presenting Shadows of Adolescence; Shadow's final season at the McGlone Center (formerly the Ralph Waldo Emerson Center).

2007/2008 - Shadow Theatre Company moves into new theatre in Aurora with the best selling Dinah Was.

2008/2009 - Final season with Jeffrey Nickelson as Artistic Director after Smokey Joe's Cafe acheives record sales and Joe Turner's Come and Gone earns Shadow's second Best Drama Ovation Award, as well as its first 2 Henry Awards.

2009/2010 - Hugo Jon Sayles becomes Artistic Director, joined by Shadow's first Executive Director- Karon Majeel; Shadow recruits its first female director- Debbie J Lee and also premieres its 4th original production- The Life & Times of Ol' Alfred.

2010/2011 - Shadow honors its founder Jeffrey Nickelson by remounting 2 of his iconic productions, as well a premiering its final original production- An Evening with Nina as it moves out of the Dayton Street Theatre and opens the fourth remount of In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story at Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center.

Shadow Theatre Company
Shadow Theatre Company

ABOUT THE FOUNDER OF SHADOW

Jeffrey W Nickelson (1956 - 2009) was the founder and executive/artistic director for Shadow Theatre Company from 1997 - 2009.  He has directed and produced over 60 plays, and has performed as an actor in over 100 plays over the course of his 30 year career.  He was posthumously awarded the 2009 Mayor's Cultural Legacy Award, the 2009 Ovation Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 2010 Best of Westword's Best Theatre Booster award.

 

He began his acting career here in Denver under the tutelage of the late John McCallum.  His training as an actor began in February 17, 1978 at the Denver Black Arts Company production of Don’t Lose and had been learning about the arts ever since.  Classically trained, Mr. Nickelson was a graduate of the award-winning Denver Center of Performing Arts' National Theatre Conservatory and the British-American Drama Academy with the Yale School of Drama in Oxford, England.  He was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his work as a community leader, producer, director and actor.  The Denver Drama Critics' Circle nominated him for Best Actor in a Lead Role for Levy in the Eulipions' production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Best Actor in a Musical nomination for the Shadow Theatre Company production of In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story.  He won the Special Achievement Ovation Award for opening the new Shadow Theatre in 2008.  In 2009, he won the Henry Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play for Shadow Theatre Company's production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone.

 

Mr. Nickelson has co-starred in the television productions "Crossroads Cafe", "America's Most Wanted" and "Picket Fences".  He will be remembered for his performances on the stage as Coalhouse Walker in the Boulder Dinner Theatre's Ragtime, Smokey Joe in Smokey Joe's Cafe, Troy Maxon in Fences, Percy in The Little Tommy Parker Celebrated Colored Minstrel Show, Frederick Douglass in The Spirit of Frederick Douglass, Macbeth in Macbeth, Dr. Glorious in Sedona, The Wiz in The Wiz at The Bonfils Theatre, Darryl in Don't Lose, Osiris in Osiris, Yasha in The Cherry Orchard and Ira Aldridge in Innocent Thoughts.  Some of his other favorite roles included A Soldier’s Play, Measure for Measure, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (with Paul Winfield) at The Bonfils Theatre and Hamlet and Me- his one-man show that had been performed across the country and in England.

PRODUCTIONS OF SHADOW

1997/1998
Innocent Thoughts

by William Missouri Downs

directed by Michael R. Duran

*In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story

by Hugo Jon Sayles & Jeffrey W. Nickelson

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Day of Absence/Happy Ending

by Douglas Turner Ward

 

1998/1999
Slow Dance on the Killing Ground

by William Hanley

directed by Jeffrey W. Nickelson

Sedona

presented w/ Off Center Productions

written & directed by James Metropole

In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story

by Hugo Jon Sayles & Jeffrey W. Nickelson

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

*Voices from the Soul

by Hugo Jon Sayles

directed by Jeffrey W. Nickelson

 

1999/2000
Riff Raff

by Laurence Fishburne

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

by Edward Albee

directed by Jeffrey W. Nickleson

The African Company Presents Richard III

by Carlyle Brown

directed by Jeffrey W. Nickelson

From Okra to Greens

by Ntozake Shange

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

 

2000/2001
Hughie/The Evils of Tobacco

by Eugene O'Neill/Anton Chekhov

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Flyin' West

by Pearl Cleage

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Fences

presented w/ Curious Theatre Company

by August Wilson

directed by Chip Walton

*In or Out! Doin' Time?

by Xpressions 2000

directed by Jeffrey W. Nickelson & Hugo Jon Sayles

 

2001/2002
Not Here

by Doug Kaback

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Come Back Little Sheeba

by William Inge

directed by Michael R. Duran

In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story

by Hugo Jon Sayles & Jeffrey Nickelson

directed by Israel Hicks

Bourbon at the Border

by Pearl Cleage

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

 

2002/2003
My Children, My Africa!

by Athol Fugard

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

by Lanie Robertson

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

*Sweet Corner Symphony

conceived by Hugo Jon Sayles & Jeffrey Nickelson

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

 

2003/2004
Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

directed by Buddy Butler

God's Trombones

by James Weldon Johnson

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

The Little Tommy Parker Colored Minstrel Show

by Carlyle Brown

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Blood Knot

by Athol Fugard

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

 

2004/2005
Three Ways Home

by Casey Kurti

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

God's Trombones

by James Weldon Johnson

directed by Hguo Jon Sayles

Paul Robeson

by Phillip Hayes Dean

directed by Michael R. Duran

*Breaking the Fourth Wall

a musical evening with Jeffrey Nickeslon

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Topdog/Underdog

by Suzan-Lori Parks

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

 

2005/2006
Emergence-See

written & performed by Daniel Beaty

Visions: A Tribute to August Wilson

adapted by Jeffrey Nickelson

directed by Michael R. Duran

Waitin' 2 End Hell

by William A Parker

directed by Charles Weldon

Four Queens No Trump

written & directed by Ted Lange

 

2006/2007: Triumphant & Ten
Plenty of Time

by Dr. John She'vin Foster

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

The Spirit of Frederick Douglass

adapted for the stage by Larry Bograd

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Two Trains Running

by August Wilson

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Soul Survivor

written & directed by Ted Lange

 

2007/2008: Honoring the Hands of History
A Rose Among Thorns

created & performed by Ella Joyce

directed by Dan Martin

Dinah Was

a musical by Oliver Goldstick

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Hands of History

adapted & directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

 

2008/2009: Constellation of Dreams
Joe Turner's Come and Gone

by August Wilson

directed by Jeffrey Nickelson

Smokey Joe's Cafe

the songs of Leiber & Stoller

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

Oscar & Felix

by Neil Simon

directed by Richard Pegg

 

2009/2010: Celebrating Women, Mothers & Daughters
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

by August Wilson

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

*Christmas of the Angels

adapted by Michael R. Duran

directed by Keith L. Hatten

A Song for Coretta

by Pearl Cleage

directed by Debbie J. Lee

*The Life & Times of Ol' Alfred

by Jon Ian Sayles

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

 

2010/2011: Sankofa
Innocent Thoughts

by William Missouri Downs

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

*An Evening with Nina

written & directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story

by Hugo Jon Sayles & Jeffrey Nickelson

directed by Hugo Jon Sayles

* World Premiere

Shadow Theatre Company

AWARDS FOR SHADOW

DENVER POST OVATION AWARDS

WINNER

2009 - Life Time Achievement Jeffrey Nickelson

2008 - Best Drama, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

2008 - Best Actor in a Drama, Cajardo Lindsey (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

2008 - Special Achievement, Jeffrey Nickelson

2005 - Best Drama, Topdog/underdog

2005 - Best Actor in a Drama, Damion Hoover (Topdog/underdog)

2005 - Special Achievement, Emergence-See

2002 - Best Scenic Design, Michael R Duran (In Search of Eckstine: A Love Story)

NOMINATED

2009 - Theatre Person of the Year, Jeffrey Nickelson

2009 - Best Musical, Smokey Joe's Cafe

2009 - Best Actor in a Drama, Keith L Hatten (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom)

2009 - Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Ciarra Teasley (Smokey Joe's Cafe)

2008 - Theatre Person of the Year, Jeffrey Nickelson

2008 - Best Lighting, Karalyn "Star" Pytel (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

2008 - Best Director, Jeffrey Nickelson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

2008 - Best Actor in a Comic Role, Tim C Johnson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

COLORADO THEATRE GUILD HENRY AWARDS

WINNER

2009 - Outstanding Direction of a Play- Jeffrey Nickelson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play- Cajardo Lindsey (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

NOMINATED

2011 - Outstanding New Play- The Life & Times of Ol' Alfred written by Jon Ian Sayles

2010 - Outstanding Actor in a Play- Keith L Hatten (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom)

2009 - Outstanding Production of a Play- Joe Turner's Come and Gone

2007 - Outstanding Costume Design-  Linda Morken (Plenty of Time)

WESTWORD BEST OF DENVER

2010 - Jeffrey Nickelson/ Best Theatre Booster, R.I.P.

2009 - Shadow Theatre/ Best New Theatre Space

2009 - Shadow Theatre/ Best New Recurring Musical Event (The Soul Den)

2008 - Vincent C Robinson/ Best Actor in a Light Comedy (Soul Survivor)

2007 - Simone St. John/ Best Season for an Actress (Four Queens No Trump, Waitin' to End Hell, Plenty of Time)

2007 - Shadow Theatre Company/ Best Comedy (Plenty of Time)

2007 - Shadow Theatre Company/ Best Audience

2006 - Shadow Theatre Company/ Best Drama for Small Company (Topdog/underdog)

2005 - Russell Costen/ Best Representation of a Great American (Paul Robeson)

2004 - Shadow Theatre Company/ Best Singing in a Musical (Sweet Corner Symphony)

2003 - Roslyn Washington/ Best Actress (Bourbon at the Border)

2003 - Mary Louise Lee/ Best Actress in a Musical (Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill)

2001 - Shadow Theatre Company/ Best Blasts From the Past (Hughie & The Evils of Tobacco)

2000 - Sheila Ivy Traister/ Best Actress (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)

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