NextStage

July 9-12, 2020

A Midsummer Night's Quarantine

Adapted and Ruined by Tyler Phillips

Marquee Company

Conifer Community Church

Directed by Tyler Phillips

You have heard of Shakespeare in the Park, but how about Shakespeare in our favorite parking lot? Well, the truth is, it's barely Shakespeare. This "Quarantine" version of Midsummer imagines a troupe of actors failing miserably to put together a production of the Bard's treasured comedy during a massive pandemic. Floating between modern English, traditional text, and totally uncalled for "comedy," Bottom, Hermia, Puck, Titania, and other familiar characters are sure to have you wondering why theatre was ever invented. Rated PG-13.

CAST: Jessica Swanson, Portia Joy Glommen, Jordan Hull, Kyra Pierson, Anakay Hanold, Gavin Roberts, Chase Chavez, Brandon Metoyer, Kirsten Lang, Sara Stephenson, Jack McCarthy, Cole Johnson

TICKETS

July 17 -19

The Part That Got Away: A Virtual Cabaret

Hundreds of artists have lost contracts and opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many lost the chance to play a favorite role or perform in a dream show. WELL, we wanted to highlight these artists! NextStage is thrilled to announce our production “The Part That Got Away: A Virtual Cabaret”. The show will be a collection of songs and monologues from canceled shows all over the world. Artists from Hawaii to Canada to Maine are featured in this production.

CAST: Alice Malakhov, Alyse Neubert, Amanda Peterson, Andrew Nietes, Brandon Michaud, Brittany Ambler, Brittany Mendoza-Pena, Charles Ray King Jr., Courtney Holifield, David Sollish, Dongwoo Kang, Hallie Hannum, Henry Lombardo, Hope Johansen, Jessica Swanson, Jordan Golomb, Justin Stephens, Kaitlyn Serketich, Lily Morgan, Linda Swanson Brown, Louisa Lauren, Maya Encila, Mica Dominguez-Robinson, Michael Davis Arnold, Rebecca Borowik, Robertus Darren Radyan, Su Teatro Company, Vernon Addison

TICKETS

NextStage is a theatre company focused on developing the careers of theatre artists and developing new works of dramatic art. NextStage is a company that is not about the company, but about the ... company? For career artists: Imagine a collaboration with an organization that innovates what the professional journey is by honing in on the Next Stage of your career and not the next way you can be used. For budding talents: Imagine a world where "educational theatre" is not about "tuition", but about paying young artists for the hours of work they put into productions. That's what NextStage is about. "Pay to play" is a thing of the past. Tuition based theatre is a thing of the past. The future of art will be built by you and we would love to be part of that journey. All ticketed events that NextStage asks actors and crew members to volunteer for are fundraisers for local organizations. NextStage is a part of the Arden Arts LLC family of programs focused on innovating the professional journey for developing artists.

Pop Rock Broadway Vocal Masterclass

All Ages

Desi Oakley + Krystina Alabado

Saturday June 20th 2:00-3:30pm MST

Want to sing and learn with Broadway stars? NextStage is partnering with Pop Rock Broadway to begin our "Virtual Broadway" Skill Class Series. Everything will be conducted over Zoom! This class will be run by Desi Oakley and Krystina Alabado! Desi Oakley recently shined as Jenna in the national tour of "Waitress" and Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on Broadway. Krystina Alabado is the current Gretchen Wieners in "Mean Girls" on Broadway! They have mastered the Pop/Rock vocal style and cannot wait to share their knowledge with you! Desi and Krystina will be introduced to the students and provide a very quick vocal warm-up (it is recommended that each student arrive vocally warm). Each student will perform their 32-bar cut of music and will receive feedback from Desi and Krystina. The focus will be on: overall performance, vocal technique, vocal styling, acting, audition technique, pop/rock style, and much more. Each student will get one-on-one time, and all students will watch each performance to learn from each other! The class will end with a conversational Q&A where students can ask Desi and Krystina questions about pop/rock vocalizations, the business, Broadway shows, or anything that comes to mind!

$40 to particpate/sing, $20 to audit

ENROLL

Ukulele 101

GRADES 6 - ADULT

VIRTUAL ONLINE CLASS

STARTING DATE: June 9th

GRADES 6-ADULT: Tuesdays 4:00 - 4:45pm

INSTRUCTOR: Tyler Phillips

It's time to stop not playing ukulele! Because of its size and simplicity, ukulele is one of the most accessible instruments in the fretted instrument family. During this 8 week course, you will learn all of the basics of uke playing: how to hold and approach the instrument, how to read ukulele music, how to play intro chords, and even how to play two full songs!

TUITION: Free, optional donation

ENROLL

Princess Bedtime Story

All Ages

VIRTUAL ONLINE EXPERIENCE

STARTING DATE: June 10th

DAY/TIME: Wednesday 6:00 - 6:30pm

Would your child like to video chat with their favorite princess? Princesses such as Elsa, Anna, Aurora, Ariel, Merida and Rapunzel will read a bedtime story for anyone who wants to spend time with royalty! Each week will feature a different princess and story so your child can spend quality time with the entire classic princess collection!

TUITION: Free, optional donation

ENROLL

Dancer's Stretch + Strengthen

AGES: Grades 6 - Adult

VIRTUAL ONLINE CLASS

STARTING DATE: June 9th

DAY/TIME: Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Jessica Swanson

Do you want to achieve high kicks like the Rockettes, leaps like a Prima Ballerina? The first way to do so is strengthening your muscles and increasing your flexibility! For 30 minutes, students will go through a full body dance workout centered around building the muscles you need to advance dance technique. After your workout, enjoy 30 minutes of calming and restorative stretches focused on increasing flexibility and achieving your splits.

TUITION: Free, optional donation

ENROLL

Jessica Erin Swanson

Artistic Director

Jessica Erin Swanson is an award-winning actress who performs across the Colorado Front Range. She has graced stages from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs bringing her to stages such as Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Denver Center for the Performing Arts. She has studied dance for the majority of her life with companies such as Colorado Ballet and trains privately with former Rockettes. Even though she loves performing, she finds the most joy in working with children and sharing her love for the theatre to the next generation.

Tyler Phillips

General Manager, Resident Music Director

Tyler Phillips is an award-winning playwright, composer, director, and musician. Tyler moved to Colorado after working as a New York City based theatre director and session musician for the better part of a decade. He is the critically-acclaimed writer/director of the 2013 production of Under The Greenwood Tree (Flea Theatre, NYC) and in 2010, co-founded Phillstock Entertainment, a music and theatre production and management company focused on developing the original works of independent writers and performers in Brooklyn, NY. Tyler's work has been enjoyed at The Flea Theatre (NYC), 17 Frost (Brooklyn, NY), The Lucille Lortel Theatre (NYC), The Laurie Beechman Theatre (NYC), The Sundance Film Festival (Park City, UT), The Arkansas Rep (Little Rock, AR), StageDoor Theatre (Conifer, CO), The Bakery (Denver, CO), The Zach Scott Theatre Center (Austin, TX), The Magik Theatre (San Antonio, TX), The York Theatre (NYC), and others.

Marcelina Ramirez

Development Director

Lina is a graduate of MSU Denver where she got her degree in Theatre with a minor in Women’s Studies. While at Metro she traveled with Water Wise, a water conservation troupe, teaching young children the importance of saving water through interactive theatre! She also was a partner nominee for the Kennedy Centers American College Theatre Festival in 2015. Lina has performed locally in theaters such as TheatreWorks, Aurora Fox, Fearless, Evergreen, Su Teatro and more. She has also performed internationally in Italy at the International Lyric Academy in Viterbo Italy. Lina is also a fierce advocate for Diversity in theatre, please visit her website for more information: linaramirez.net

Justin Stephens

Operations Manager

Justin Stephens is a peppy, young, and excited member of the NextStage team. With a great attitude and loud voice his experience ranges from belting high notes on stage to teaching kindergartners to sing and dance. Between his experience acting as a board member at an educational theatre and being on stage since 2007, theatre is second nature. Having fun is one thing Justin does best. He always makes sure that he and everyone around him is their optimizing their own time. Having a half glass full mindset has always been important to him, and he hopes that you all will share that glass with NextStage.

Portia Joy Glommen

Community Director

Portia Joy Glommen is a passionate young actress and musician. She has been performing for 12 years, and has had the chance to appear on some beautiful stages such as Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Detroit MoPop Festival. Portia has loved theatre from a young age. After a few years being devoted to the Denver music scene while developing her own bands and helping others develop theirs, she is thrilled to join the NextStage team as Community Director and return to the theatre community.

Krista Choate

Resident Stage Manager

Krista Choate is a determined young stage manager and technician. She has been heavily involved with technical theatre for 6 years and has held numerous technical director, stage manager, and construction lead positions in various theaters. Krista has worked as a technician and SM mentor to not only her former high school peers but also for middle school students. In addition to her work with Center Stage (Evergreen), Evergreen High School Theatre, and Evergreen Middle School Theatre, Krista has spent 100+ hours interning with top stage managers at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Krista is overly excited to bring her strong work ethic and knowledge to NextStage.