Title: Colorado’s Theater Scene Revived by OnStage Colorado: A New Era in Arts Journalism
As the performing arts landscape in Colorado grapples with dwindling media coverage, a new online platform, OnStage Colorado, is stepping in to fill the void. Once reliant on robust daily newspapers for publicity, theater companies now navigate a challenging environment that requires innovative strategies to attract audiences. Actor and playwright Josh Hartwell, whose adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" is currently showing at multiple venues, laments the loss of traditional media coverage that provided hope and exposure for new productions.
Founded by journalist Alex Miller in 2018, OnStage Colorado serves as a crucial resource for local theater. The site has published around 200 reviews in 2024 alone, significantly more than other outlets, and has established a growing presence with a podcast that has surpassed 100 episodes and a newsletter boasting 900 subscribers. Miller dedicates approximately 30 hours a week to the initiative, emphasizing community support for theater as a primary goal.
Missy Moore, artistic director of the Thunder River Theatre Company, stresses the importance of OnStage Colorado in raising awareness of the arts, especially as donor bases decline. Miller’s approach blurs the line between advocacy and journalism, with his team comprising passionate individuals like writer Toni Tresca, who is redefining arts journalism through innovative storytelling and features.
Pioneers like Beki Pineda continue to enrich the scene, advocating for local theater through her blog and classes. Together, these efforts reflect a vibrant theater community committed to not only survival but growth, demonstrating that live performance remains a vital aspect of cultural life in the state. As audiences look to rediscover the joy of theater, platforms like OnStage Colorado are instrumental in reigniting the passion for the performing arts.