By John Wenzel, The Denver Post | Thanks to changes in the state’s color-coded COVID-19 dial this week, metro-area performing arts companies can return to indoor stages to perform and rehearse — albeit without audiences, and with permission from the Colorado Department of Health.
Starting Monday, nonprofit arts companies can apply under the new rules, outlined in the revised Public Health Order 20-36, for “permission to conduct performances or rehearsals without an audience.” That potentially includes dozens of otherwise idle dance, theater, opera and classical-music outfits looking for places to practice, or record shows for streaming.
It’s too early to know who will get approval, but major cultural groups that have sat quiet for most of 2020 are already eyeing the order, given that Gov. Jared Polis on Monday eased restrictions in 33 Colorado counties — including Denver.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which was forced to furlough or lay off more than half of its staff last year amid Broadway and Theatre Company cancellations, is currently renovating its Bonfils Theatre, but may reopen its Seawell Ballroom for private use, according to a spokeswoman.
“The Ballroom has the green light to return to in-person events for up to 50 people in the orange level,” she said. “We are finding that most clients are still preferring to utilize our virtual broadcast options, though a few are hoping to have a ‘hybrid’ model where they would host a virtual event but invite a small in-person audience. The first fully in-person event we have booked is a wedding in April, and even that has a backup date.”
In the meantime, museums that are planning to reopen this week include the Clyfford Still Museum, which reopened Tuesday, and the Children’s Museum at Marsico Campus, reopening Jan. 7. Officials at the Children’s Museum, which has been at a disadvantage during coronavirus due to its “high-touch” environment, will begin a phased reopening that includes exhibitions such as Bubbles, Ready Vet Go, Kinetics and 3 2 1 Blast Off. Timed, ticketed reservations are required.
Museums such as Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys, and others have already been operating in recent weeks. Joining them, and potentially competing against them this week, are Cinemark’s nine Colorado locations along the Front Range, spanning Fort Collins to Pueblo.
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