Colorado New Play Summit Highlights Diverse Voices and New Works

Denver festival showcases a range of stories and experimental theatrical experiences

Feb. 28, 2026 at 12:24am

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The 20th annual Colorado New Play Summit, held in February 2026 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, featured a diverse lineup of new plays that reflected evolving trends in American theatre. From culturally specific narratives to genre-blending works, the festival highlighted the industry's focus on inclusivity, representation, and innovative storytelling. The Summit's collaborative model, which nurtures playwrights over the long term, and its emphasis on community engagement suggest a promising future for theatre.

Why it matters

The Colorado New Play Summit provides a window into the changing landscape of American theatre, where diverse voices and experimental approaches are gaining prominence. This shift reflects a broader industry-wide movement to prioritize inclusivity and representation, as well as a growing audience demand for fresh perspectives and unconventional theatrical experiences.

The details

The Summit featured plays like "Cowboys and East Indians," which explored the rarely depicted experience of Indian immigrants in Wyoming, and "Godspeed," which centered on a newly freed Black woman's journey in post-Civil War Texas. Plays like "Lemuria" and "Influent" blended familiar structures with contemporary themes, demonstrating a willingness to experiment with genre and form. The staging of the readings in 600-seat spaces also indicated a desire to reach wider audiences and create more immersive experiences.

  • The 20th annual Colorado New Play Summit was held on February 14-15, 2026.
  • DCPA announced the world premieres of "bogfriends" by jose sebastian alberdi and "How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt" by David Myers, both of which were previously workshopped at the Summit.

The players

Grady Soapes

The artistic producer of the Colorado New Play Summit, who noted that DCPA has cultivated a 'new-play-dedicated audience' hungry for fresh perspectives.

Nina McConigley

The author of the short story collection "Cowboys and East Indians," which was adapted for the Summit.

Bonnie Antosh

The playwright of "Lemuria," which offered a 'cheeky nod' to Shakespeare's "King Lear" through the lens of primatology and queerness.

Isaac Gómez

The playwright of "Influent," which delved into the world of social media influencers and blurred the lines between virtual and real life.

Harper Skurky-Thomas

A community member who has attended the Colorado New Play Summit for six years with her grandfather, John Thomas, demonstrating the festival's intergenerational appeal.

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What they’re saying

“We must cultivate a 'new-play-dedicated audience' hungry for fresh perspectives.”

— Grady Soapes, Artistic Producer, Colorado New Play Summit

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee

What’s next

DCPA's announcement of world premieres for two plays previously workshopped at the Summit suggests that the festival will continue to serve as a launching pad for new works, with the hope that they will find wider recognition on stages across the country.

The takeaway

The success of the Colorado New Play Summit highlights the evolving landscape of American theatre, where diverse voices, experimental approaches, and community engagement are shaping the future of the art form. This festival serves as a model for how theatres can nurture new talent, respond to audience demands, and ensure the continued relevance and sustainability of live performance.