Now in our third decade of bringing thought-provoking theatre to Denver, Curious Theatre Company’s rich history showcases our commitment to playwrights with gutsy things to say. Over the last ten years, 75% of Curious plays have been written by playwrights of color, LGBTQ playwrights, or female playwrights – an unparalleled distinction in our region. We are proud to produce plays that challenge and enrich our lives through different viewpoints and storytelling styles.

Curious has been named Best Theatre Season by Westword eight times and was honored four times with Best Year by a Theatre Company by the former Denver Post Ovation Awards. Our incredible Company and the artists who work with us have earned hundreds of awards through their tireless effort to bring relevant, contemporary theatre to the Front Range.

2022-23 Season

Heroes of the Fourth Turning by Will Arbery
Directed by Kent Thompson

Franklinland by Lloyd Suh
Directed by Dee Covington

Alma by Benjamin Benne
Directed by Denise Yvette Serna

Amerikin by Chisa Hutchinson
Directed by Jada Suzanne Dixon

On the Exhale by Martín Zimmerman
Directed by Chip Walton

Summer Playwriting Intensive
Mentors: Dee Covington & Josh Hartwell

2021-22 Season

The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson

American Son by Christopher Demos-Brown
Directed by Jada Suzanne Dixon

The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp
Directed by Sabin Epstein

Refuge Co-Created by Andrew Rosendorf and Satya Jnani-Chavéz
Directed by Dee Covington

Fireflies by Donja R. Love
Directed by Steven Sapp

Education Series
Black. by Lamaria Aminah

Summer Playwriting Intensive
Mentors: Dee Covington & Josh Hartwell

2020-21 Season

New Voices Festival Online Team

Hillary & Clinton by Lucas Hnath
Digital production directed by Chip Walton

The Breath Project Partner Theatre

Chaos Theory by Jessica Creane
A digital experience presented by IKANTKOAN Games

Two-Play Education Series
Black. by Lamaria Aminah and In Transit by Holden Thomas

Summer Playwriting Intensive
Mentors: Dee Covington & Josh Hartwell

2019-20 Season

two black men on knees

Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu
directed by Steven Sapp

The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse
directed by Dee Covington
– Best of Westword Finalist: Adriana Leigh Robinson

The Secretary by Kyle John Schmidt
directed by Christy Montour-Larson

Admissions by Joshua Harmon (Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
directed by Chip Walton

Roe by Lisa Loomer (Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
directed by Chip Walton

School & Community Tour
Inheritance by Norma Johnson

In-Development and New Play Readings
Refuge created by Andrew Rosendorf and Satya Chavez; transcreation by Marialuisa Burgos.

Season Awards and Honors
Best Theatre for New Plays – Westword Best Of, Reader’s Choice
Best Performing Arts Theater – The Denver Awards

2018-19 Season

woman with red cake

The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter
Directed by Chip Walton

The Humans by Stephen Karam
Directed by Dee Covington

Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Chip Walton

Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by donnie l. betts
– Best of Westword: Best Actress in a Drama, Perri Gaffney
– 2019 True West Award

Sanctions by Bruce Graham
Directed by Chip Walton

Added Production:
Building the Wall by Robert Schenkkan
Directed by Chip Walton

School & Community Tours
Black. by Lamaria Aminah
In Transit by Holden Thomas

In-Development & New Play Readings
I Can Go by Meridith Friedman
God Hates You by Emily Dendinger
Home, Oblivion by Josh Hartwell
Refuge by Andrew Rosendorf

Season Awards
– Best of Westword: Best Gutsy Theatre
– Yellow Scene Magazine, Best of the West: Theatre

2017-18 Season

Two actors perform a scene from the play Appropriate on the Curious Theatre stage.

Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Jamil Jude

The Body of an American by Dan O’Brien
Directed by Chip Walton

Detroit ’67 by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Idris Goodwin

The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism & Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures by Tony Kushner
Directed by Chip Walton

Your Best One by Meridith Friedman
Directed by Dee Covington

Added Special Presentation:
Ars Nova Production of Underground Railroad Game
Created by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard with Lightning Rod Special
Directed by Taibi Magar

Public New Play Readings
God Hates You by Emily Dendinger
The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle
Sanctions by Bruce Graham (Colorado New Play Festival)
Home, Oblivion by Josh Hartwell
Citizen by Claudia Rankine (Staged Reading of theatrical adaptation in partnership with Lighthouse Writers Workshop)

School & Community Tour
Black. by Lamaria Aminah

Season Awards
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre for Adults
– Best of Westword: Readers Choice – Best Theatre for Adults

2016-17 Season

And actor performs a scene with his puppet in Hand to God.

Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Chip Walton

Hand to God by Robert Askins
Directed by Dee Covington

The Happiest Song Plays Last by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Chip Walton

Constellations by Nick Payne
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson

Building the Wall by Robert Schenkkan
Directed by Bruce Sevy

The Luckiest People by Meridith Friedman
Directed by Chip Walton

Season Awards
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre for Promoting Diversity

*In the 2016-17 Season, Curious ceased participation in the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards. 

2015-16 Season

An actor in Marcus, or the Secret of Sweet moves around the stage with intense energy.

The Flick by Annie Baker
Directed by Chip Walton
– True West Award: John Jurcheck

Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Dee Covington
– True West Award: Laurence Curry
– True West Award: Shannon McKinney

Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson

Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Chip Walton

DUST by Dee Covington
A collaboration with Wonderbound Dance Company and Jesse Manley and His Band
Directed by Dee Covington
Choreographed by Garrett Ammon

White Guy on the Bus by Bruce Graham
Directed by Chip Walton
– True West Award: Jada Dixon

Season Awards
 – 5280 Magazine 2016 Top of the Town Reader’s Choice: Best Theatre
– Cake Drop by The Kilroys; an honor given to theatres with more than 50% of the season written by female or transgender playwrights – one of only 13 in the theatres in the country honored
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre Parking

2014/15 Season

All the Rage written and performed by Martin Moran
Directed by Seth Barrish

The Tricky Part written and performed by Martin Moran
Directed by Seth Barrish

Lucky Me by Robert Caisley
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Comedy, Erik Sandvold

Charles Ives Take Me Home by Jessica Dickey
Directed by  Christy Montour-Larson
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre Production
– Best of Westword: Best Direction of a Play, Christy Montour-Larson
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, Dave Belden
– Best of Westword: Best Actress in a Drama, Kate Berry
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Jim Hunt

In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Dee Covington

Detroit by Lisa D’Amour
Directed by Chip Walton

Limited Return Engagement: The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Dee Covington

Season Awards
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season
Best of Westword: Best Theatre for Contemporary Drama

2013/14 Season

After the Revolution by Amy Herzog
Directed by Chip Walton

Rancho Mirage by Steven Dietz
Directed by Christopher Leo

The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez
Directed by Kate Folkins an Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Laurence Curry
– Henry Award: Outstanding Production of a Play
– Henry Award: Outstanding Direction of a Play, Kate Folkins and Chip Walton
– Henry Award: Outstanding Ensemble
– Henry Award: Outstanding Actor in a Play, Cajardo Lindsey
– Henry Award: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Lawrence Curry
– Henry Award: Outstanding Scenic Design, Markas Henry
– Henry Award: Outstanding Lighting Design, Shannon McKinney
– Henry Award: Outstanding Sound Design, Brian Freeland
– True West Award

Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson

Venus In Fur by David Ives
Directed by Chip Walton

Season Awards
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Bar
Best of Westword: Best Present for Theatre Loving Friends, Season Pass to Curious Theatre Company

2012/13 Season

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz
Directed by Chip Walton
– True West Award: Best Costume Design, Ann Piano
– True West Award: Best Sound Design, Brian Freeland
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Comedy, Michael Lopez
– Henry Award: Outstanding Sound Design, Brian Freeland

Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
– True West Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Devon James
– Best of Westword: Best Newcomer in Drama, Tara Falk

Maple and Vine by Jordan Harrison
Directed by Chip Walton

The Brothers Size by Tarrell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Dee Covington
– Henry Award: Outstanding Play
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, Cajardo Lindsey
– True West Award: Best Drama
– True West Award: Best Director, Dee Covington
– True West Award: Best Actor, Laurence Curry

God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Comedy

Season Awards
True West Award: Best Year By A Company
Best of Westword: Best Season for a Theatre Company
Henry Award: Outstanding Season for a Theatre Company

2011/12 Season

Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Comic Role, Josh Hartwell

Collapse by Allison Moore
Directed by Dee Covington
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Jessica Austgen

9 Circles by Bill Cain
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, Sean Scrutchins

Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo
Directed by Chip Walton
– True West Award: Best Year By An Actress, Rachel Fowler

Red by John Logan
Directed by Christy Montour Larson
– True West Award: Best Drama
– True West Award: Best Actor in a Drama, Lawrence Hecht
– True West Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Benjamin Bonenfant
– True West Award: Best Lighting Design, Shannon McKinney
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Ben Bonenfant

Season Award
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season

2010/11 Season

Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Dee Covington
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedic Role, C. Kelly Leo
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, C. Kelly Leo

Astronomical Sunset by Robert Lewis Vaughan
Directed by Chip Walton

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
Directed by Christopher Leo
– Best of Westword: Best Theater Production
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Mark Rubald
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Comic Role, Erica Sarzin-Borrillo

Homebody/Kabul by Tony Kushner
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Contemporary Monologue, Dee Covington
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Drama
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Sound Design, Brian Freeland
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Michael Morgan
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Karen Slack

A Number by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson

On An Average Day by John Kolvenbach
Directed by A. Lee Massaro
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Lighting Design, Dick Devin

Season Awards
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Booster, Chip Walton, Artistic Director
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year by a Director, Christy Montour-Larson

2009/10 Season

Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Marcus Waterman

Ameriville Written & Created by Universes
Directed by Chay Yew

Home by Dark by Terry Dodd
Directed by Jamie Horton

Opus by Michael Hollinger
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, William Hahn
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year by an Actor, Josh Robinson

Up by Bridget Carpenter
Directed by Chip Walton

2008/09 Season

Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard
Directed by Chip Walton

Speech & Debate by Stephen Karam
Directed by Dee Covington

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Dramatic Role, Rachel Fowler

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Drama
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Role, Jim Hunt
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Lighting, Shannon McKinney
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Season, Tyee Tilghman
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre Production

26 Miles by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Pesha Rudnick

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By a Company
5280 Top of the Town Award: Reader’s Choice for Top Theatre Company

2007/08 Season

How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Sympathetic Portrayal of a Pederast, Paul Borrillo

For Better by Eric Coble
Directed by Chip Walton

9 Parts of Desire by Heather Raffo
Directed by Penny Walrath Cole
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By an Actress, Karen Slack
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Lighting, Jacob Welch

The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Comedy
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Director, Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Comedic Role, Gene Gillette
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Fight and Gore Director, Geoffrey Kent
– Henry Award: Outstanding Actor in a Play, Gene Gillette
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Black-Hearted Comedy, Gene Gillette

The Denver Project by Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz
Directed by Dee Covington
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Season, Tyee Tighman

End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Christopher Leo
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Dramatic Role, Rhonda Lee Brown
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Role, Marcus Waterman

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By a Company
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season
5280 Top of the Town Award: Editor’s Choice for Top Theatre Company

2006/07 Season

I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Solo Performance, Erik Sandvold

TempOdyssey by Dan Dietz
Directed by Chip Walton
– Henry Award: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Jason Henning
– Henry Award: Outstanding Lighting Design, Shannon McKinney
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Comedic Role, Jason Henning

Aphrodisiac by Rob Handel
Directed by Bonnie Metzgar
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Mare Trevathan

A House with no Walls by Thomas Gibbons
Diretced by Donnie L. Betts

Mall-mart: the Musical! Book by Joan Holden, Music & Lyrics by Bruce Barthol
Directed by Chip Walton

Curious New Voices Award
Denver Post Ovation Award for Special Achievement: The New Decade Plays

2005/06 Season

 The Dead Guy by Eric Coble
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Special Accomplishment in Video Design, Bryon Matsuno and Todd Webster

Bug by Tracy Letts
Directed by Chip Walton
– Henry Award: Outstanding Performance by an Actress, Rhonda Brown
– Henry Award: Outstanding Sound Design, Brian Freeland
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Dramatic Role, Rhonda Lee Brown
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Sound Design, Brian Freeland
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, Chris Reid
– Rocky Mountain News Top of the Rocky: Best Actress, Rhonda Lee Brown

Frozen by Bryony Lavery
Directed by Anthony Powell
– Henry Award: Outstanding Performance by an Actor, William Hahn
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year by an Actor, William Hahn

The War Anthology
Directed by Bonnie Metzgar
– Henry Award: Outstanding New Play
– Henry Award: Outstanding Ensemble
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Dramatic Role, Dee Covington

Fiction by Steven Dietz
Directed by Jamie Horton
– Best of Westword: Best Direction of a Comedy, Jamie Horton
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Comedy, John Hutton

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovation Award: Theatre Person of the Year, Bonnie Metzgar, Associate Artistic Director
Best of Westword: Best News for Playwrights

Curious New Voices Award
Alliance for Colorado Theatre: Professional Theatre of the Year Award

2004/05 Season

Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted by Christopher Trumbo
Directed by Christy Montour Larson and Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Season for an Actor, Jamie Horton

The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Ensemble
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Sound Design, Scott Anderson and Jesus Marquez
– Best of Westword: Best Season for an Actress, Mare Trevathan

The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? by Edward Albee
Directed by Nagle Jackson
– Best of Westword: Best Denver Theatre Production
– Best of Westword: Best Season for a Director, Nagel Jackson
– Best of Westword: Best Season for an Actress, Mare Trevathan

Paris on the Platte by Joan Holden
Directed by Chip Walton

Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Comedic Role, Erik Sandvold

The Tricky Part written and performed by Martin Moran
Directed by Seth Barrish
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Solo Performance, Martin Moran

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovations Award: Theatre Person of the Year, Chip Walton, Artistic Director
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season

2003/04 Season

Nickel and Dimed by Joan Holden
Directed by Chip Walton

Bright Ideas by Eric Coble
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Ethelyn Friend
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Ethelyn Friend

Inventing Van Gogh by Steven Dietz
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Dramatic Script, Steven Dietz
– Best of Westword: Best Actor in a Drama, Bret Aune
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Christopher Leo

Yellowman by Dael Orlandersmith
Directed by Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe
– Best of Westword: Best Treatment of a Touchy Subject

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By a Company
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Season

2002/03 Season

An Almost Holy Picture by Heather McDonald
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Dramatic Role, John Hutton

Mineola Twins by Paula Vogel
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Comedy
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Director, Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actress in a Comedic Role, Elizabeth Rainer

The Rest of the Night by Robert Lewis Vaughan
Directed by Chip Walton

Proof by David Auburn
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Supporting Actress, C. Kelly Leo
– Best of Westword: Best Season for an Actor, Brett Aune
– Best of Westword: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, C. Kelly Leo

Season Award
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By a Company

2001/02 Season

Coyote on a Fence by Bruce Graham
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year by an Actor, Gene Gillette
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Drama
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Actor in a Dramatic Role, Gene Gillette
– Best of Westword: Best Theatre Production

Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson and Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Awards: Best Director, Chip Walton and Christy Montour-Larson
– Denver Post Ovation Awards: Best Actress in a Comedic Role, Ethelyn

Cloud Tectonics by José Rivera
Directed by Chip Walton
– Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Scenic Design, Dan Guyette
– Best of Westword: Best Magical Evening of Theatre

Season Awards
Denver Post Ovation Award: Best Year By a Company
Best of Westword: Best Theatre Promotion

2000/01 Season

Art by Yasmina Reza
Directed by Nicholas Sugar

Closer by Patrick Marber
Directed by Chip Walton

Fences by August Wilson
Directed by Chip Walton

1999/00 Season

Full Gallop by Mary Louise Wilson and Mark Hampton
Directed by Chip Walton
– Backstage West Garland: Best Actress, Deb Persoff
– Backstage West Garland: Best Scenic Design, Matthew E. Morgan & Britta Erickson
– Best of Westword: Best One Person Show, Deb Persoff

Praying for Rain by Robert Lewis Vaughan
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Director, Chip Walton
– Backstage West Garland: Best Lighting Design, William Temple Davis

1998/99 Season

How I Learned To Drive by Paula Vogel
Directed by Chip Walton
– Best of Westword: Best Great Leap Forward
– Denver Drama Critics Circle Award: Best Production
– Denver Drama Critics Circle Award: Best Director, Chip Walton
– Denver Drama Critics Circle Award: Best Actor, Paul Borrillo
– Denver Drama Critics Circle Award: Best Lighting Design, William Temple Davis
– Backstage West Garland: Best Production
– Backstage West Garland: Best Actor, Paul Borrillo
– Backstage West Garland: Best Director, Chip Walton