Monday, February 22, 2010

DCPA closing down National Theatre Conservatory

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) announced on Saturday that it will phase out its National Theatre Conservatory (NTC) over the next two years. The Conservatory is a three-year, accredited Master of Fine Arts program in acting. Founded in 1984 and chartered by US Congress, it currently has 28 students.

Considered one of the leading MFA programs in the country, its graduates have been successful in the professional world. To name a few recent examples, January LaVoy (Class of 2002) has been cast in the London West End transfer of Enron to Broadway, set to open April 8. John Behlmann (Class of 2006) will star in the off-Broadway transfer of the Tony Award-winning The 39 Steps, opening
March 25. Mat Hostetler (Class of 2009) recently began filming in Martin Scorsese's new HBO series, "Boardwalk Empire."

"Our mandate at The Denver Center first and foremost is to produce world class theatre on our professional stages," said Daniel L. Ritchie, Chairman and CEO. "With the prevailing economic conditions and their impact on our operations, we have decided to concentrate our resources on that principal endeavor."

The Denver Center will expand the highly successful educational programs of the Denver Center Theatre Academy which serve more than 50,000 students each year.