ACT Ensemble is an investigation at the intersects of performance, art, dance, aesthetics, narrative, and the meaning of theatre/performance in prison. ACT focuses on original ensemble creation, rooted in personal and communal history.
History | Philosophy | Facilitators
Current Activities (2024–2025)
We're operating in four Colorado prisons with six facilitators working on the following projects:
- Denver Women’s Correctional Facility: Sylvia by A.R. Gurney (February 14, 2025) – a play about "Sylvia", a dog, the couple who adopts her, and the resultant comedy that ensues.
- Limon Correctional Facility: The Last Café at the End of the World (spring 2025) – an original devised performance developed by the ensemble exploring a café in limbo where people stop to reckon with their best and worst memories before moving on to the great beyond.
- Sterling Correctional Facility: Acting & Script Analysis Workshop – the Sterling ensemble is learning acting and script analysis skills in preparation for a live performance in late 2025. We're also offering a 12-week workshop for residents isolated in protective custody in memoir writing and performance.
- Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center: Making Memoir: Playing Off the Page Workshop – the DRDC ensemble is working on memoir writing for the page and then transforming it for the stage.
Other upcoming workshops include improvisation, and songwriting. There will be more performances to come!
Support
ACT Ensemble is grateful for the support of the Puffin Foundation and Denver Arts & Venues.
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