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Nestled in a quiet neighborhood of North Denver
is an edifice that might go unnoticed if not for
the vivid red paint enhancing the outer surface.
Bright lights outline the sign and an oversize metal
bug displays events for passersby. Yet the outside
and small stature of this building is deceiving.
It doesn’t give credence to what is to be
found inside its doors.
Upon entering The Bug Theatre, a tiny lobby introduces a sizable
theatre with 15 to 20 rows of seats. Red and black
walls engulf the space with giant curtains on
either side. An intricate pattern is inset on
the ceiling and the set for the theatre’s
latest production, “Lucifer Tonite”,
adorns the back wall.
Built in 1912 as a nickelodeon movie house, The
Bug Theatre has gone through many hands and at
one point, was not in use for more than a quarter-century.
Local artists Chandler Romeo and Reed Weimer renovated
the building and founded the Bug Performance &
Media Art Center (BPMAC) in 1994, “a non-profit
organization dedicated to serving Denver audiences
by facilitating the development and presentation
of diverse arts and cultural programming.”
Though it received recognition as an “alternative
arts center”, the theatre suffered financially.
In 1998, Donna Morrison became the Artistic Director,
and Alex Weimer, the Technical Director, and together
founded the Bug Theatre Company (BTC). The company
thrived and has since received critical acclaim
and financial stability.
The Bug Theatre offers opportunities for local
artists, actors, filmmakers and anyone who wants
to express them. Freak Train offers the Bug stage
to performers on the last Monday of every month.
Amateurs to professionals can take over the stage
for five minutes. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets
are $5. Show begins at 8 p.m. If you want to perform,
get there early! There are only 12 spots and the
fill quickly.
The Bug Theatre also hosts the Emerging Filmmakers
Project. The third Thursday of every month at
8 p.m., local filmmakers have a forum to “show
their work and develop talent through guest speakers
and peer support.” Tickets to the event
are $5 and the doors open at 7:30 p.m. The Bug
is accepting entries from Colorado filmmakers
and there is no fee.
For comedy and improv, the Colorado-based troupe,
“Some Assembly Required” performs
at the Bug Theatre. They usually perform the second
Tuesday of every month.
Currently, the Bug Theatre is showing the play,
“Lucifer Tonite” by Don Becker.
For details to any and all shows and events,
visit www.bugtheatre.org
or call the Bug at 303-477-9984.
Rebecca Vega, March 20, 2005
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