Denver’s Biggest Stages Come to Life in Free Season Preview “First Act” Celebration at the Denver Performing Arts Complex

 

DENVER – The Denver Performing Arts Complex, in partnership with Colorado Ballet, the Colorado Symphony, Dazzle, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Opera Colorado, is thrilled to announce First Act – a free season kickoff celebration from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, bursting with performances, tours and hands-on activities offering attendees a preview of the 2026-2027 season.

 

"First Act is about opening our doors at the Arts Complex to the entire Denver community," said Gretchen Hollrah, executive director of Denver Arts & Venues. "This is a celebration to show what's possible when five extraordinary arts organizations come together in one place, with a chance to explore our venues freely, no ticket required, to get a feel for where the magic happens. Whether it's your first visit to our theatres or your hundredth, we want you to leave inspired by everything the Arts Complex and our cultural partners have to offer this season."

 

From world-class live performances, guided “meet your seat” opportunities through some of Denver's most beloved venues, up-close conversations with the artists and organizations who bring this campus to life and a lineup of family-friendly activities for the next generation of arts lovers, First Act is your personal invitation to step inside, explore everything this campus has to offer and find what moves you this fall.

 

On stage and behind the scenes, here's what's in store:

 

The Colorado Ballet presents excerpts of ballets from around the world, including pieces from its upcoming season, with staff hosting an interactive table with engaging dance activities for all ages and offer details about Colorado Ballet's wide variety of programming.

 

“We are grateful to Denver Arts & Venues for bringing the Arts Complex community together through First Act and for creating this welcoming opportunity for audiences to experience the incredible breadth of performing arts in Denver,” said Gil Boggs, artistic director of Colorado Ballet. “We are excited to share a glimpse of our upcoming season on stage and to showcase the outstanding work of our Education & Community Engagement team, whose programs connect people of all ages with the joy of dance. Events like First Act provide a wonderful opportunity for new and returning audiences to sample the many ways Colorado Ballet serves our community, both in performance and through education.”

 

The Colorado Symphony brings the brass with a quintet performance previewing its 2026/2027 season, then hands attendees the chance to try the instruments themselves with an interactive hands-on experience.

 

"The performing arts are essential to the vitality of a great city," said Daniel Wachter, president & CEO of the Colorado Symphony. "Every organization in the Denver Performing Arts Complex brings something unique to our community, and together we create a cultural destination that attracts visitors, enriches lives and energizes downtown Denver. First Act is a wonderful celebration of that shared spirit, and the Colorado Symphony is honored to stand alongside our fellow resident companies to showcase the remarkable artistic community that makes Denver such a vibrant place to live, work and visit."

 

Meanwhile, Dazzle brings a live set from vocalist Kelsey Wallner and jazz guitarist Ben Parish, blending original compositions with fresh takes on jazz standards.

 

“The Denver Performing Arts Complex is one of the few places where you can experience so many world-class performing arts organizations in one destination. First Act is an invitation to discover something new, explore the campus and experience the incredible creativity that makes this one of Denver's cultural treasures,” said Matt Ruff, operations manager for Dazzle. “We're proud that Dazzle has the honor of opening the morning with live jazz—setting a welcoming tone and inviting audiences to experience not just our stage, but everything the Arts Complex has to offer.”

 

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts serves up previews from its season-opening productions — the melodrama and antics of "Destiny of Desire: A Telenovela Play with Music," and a first glimpse at Shakespeare's final play, "The Tempest."

 

“The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to welcome our friends, neighbors, and community to First Act – a preview of all that the coming season at the Arts Complex has in store,” said Janice Sinden, president & CEO. “With leadership from Denver Arts & Venues, we are excited to partner with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado, and Dazzle for a free event featuring performances, family-friendly activities, venue tours, and a community dance class. If you’ve never visited us before, now is your chance to explore all that we have to offer. And if you’re a loyal fan, come share your enthusiasm. We can’t wait to see you there!”

 

Opera Colorado's Resident Artists close out the lineup with soaring arias and highlights from the company's upcoming season, including Verdi's "Macbeth" and Mozart's "Così fan tutte (The School for Lovers)," plus an interactive costume and prop display that lets visitors of all ages step into the world of opera up close.

 

"Opera has the power to spark joy, curiosity, and connection, and First Act does exactly that, opening its doors so people can discover everything happening on this campus. Whether you're stepping into opera for the first time or you've loved it for years, we hope you'll leave curious enough to explore what's ahead with us this season," said Opera Colorado’s Ellie Caulkins Artistic Director & CEO Barbara Lynne Jamison.

 

Beyond the stage, First Act attendees and their families can strike a pose for a free professional headshot, craft their own paper flowers or step into the spotlight at Clowning on the Complex – a playful exploration of movement, imagination and creative expression for all ages, thanks to The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, Boettcher Concert Hall and the open-air Arts Complex Galleria will be open and ready to be explored.

 

Attendees are strongly encouraged to RSVP their attendance via Eventbrite here.

 

The event schedule is below:

9:30 a.m.: Dazzle Presents: Vocalist Kelsey Wallner and jazz guitarist Ben Parish perform original compositions and personal twists on jazz standards. 

 

9:55 a.m.: Colorado Symphony Presents: A brass quintet from your Colorado Symphony performs excerpts from the orchestra's 2026/27 season. 

 

10:20 a.m.: The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Presents: The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will delight audiences with excerpts from its season-opening productions — Destiny of Desire: A Telenovela Play with Music and The Tempest. First Act attendees will get an exclusive preview of the melodrama and wild antics that make the telenovela the most popular form of storytelling in the world while classics’ lovers will get a glimpse at Shakespeare’s final play. 

 

10:45 a.m.: Opera Colorado Presents: Discover the excitement of live opera with Opera Colorado's Resident Artists as they perform a selection of beloved arias and highlights from the company's upcoming season, including Verdi's Macbeth and Mozart's The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte). Whether you're experiencing opera for the first time or are already a fan, this lively program offers a wonderful introduction to the beauty, drama, and power of opera. 

 

11:10 a.m.: Colorado Ballet Presents: Excerpts of ballets from around the world, including pieces from their upcoming season. 

 

Be sure to stick around after the performances to join a Broadway Bound Community Dance Class featuring choreography from “The Outsiders.”

 

Attendees are encouraged to register for free here: https://first-act.eventbrite.com  

 

For more information, including stage locations, additional activities and more, artscomplex.com/events/first-act.

 

 

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About Denver Arts & Venues and the Denver Performing Arts Complex

Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is to enrich Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through the advancement of arts, culture and entertainment opportunities for all. Denver Arts & Venues oversees Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, Theatre at Loretto Heights and McNichols Civic Center Building, using proceeds from events at these venues to run and maintain these facilities and to provide access to art for all through free and low-cost community events, grants for artists and arts organizations, public art and art education. Using Good Times, For Good. For more information, visit www.ArtsandVenues.com

 

Denver is a top tier city for arts and culture and its residents share great pride in the creative spirit that is alive in the Mile High City. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, a 12-acre campus of theaters and public spaces in the heart of downtown. It's home to four esteemed performing arts institutions – Colorado Ballet, Colorado Symphony, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Opera Colorado – and plays a welcoming host to many national acts and local groups, festivals, conferences, public events and more. For more information, visit www.ArtsComplex.com

 

About the Colorado Symphony
One of the leading orchestras in the United States, the Colorado Symphony Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization performing more than 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across Colorado. Led by Peter Oundjian as its Music Director as of the 2025/26 season, the Colorado Symphony is home to eighty full-time musicians representing more than a dozen nations and regularly welcomes the world’s most celebrated artists from across musical genres. The orchestra celebrated its Centennial during the 2023/24 concert season and now serves more than 340,000 people each year through live performances at Boettcher Concert Hall, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, and other venues throughout Colorado’s Front Range. Boettcher Concert Hall, which opened in 1978, was the first in-the-round symphonic venue built in the United States. In November 2025, voters passed the Vibrant Denver Bond, which allocates $20 million to a future renovation of the concert hall. Guided by a vision to inspire and unite humanity through live symphonic music, the Colorado Symphony is a living heartbeat of the state — expressing its beauty, creativity, vitality, and inclusive spirit. Through unmatched artistry and bold innovation, the Symphony inspires Colorado and audiences everywhere while expanding access, fostering education, and creating lasting memories through meaningful personal connections. Recognized as an incubator of innovation, creativity, and excellence, the Colorado Symphony listens to and learns from its diverse communities, musicians, and staff; composes and creates with curiosity and versatility; and leads with empathy, collaboration, and responsible stewardship. The Symphony continually expands its reach through in-person and virtual education programs, community partnerships, and programming that celebrates achievement, honors diverse voices, and infuses joy on and off the stage. The Colorado Symphony partners with leading musical artists, cultural organizations, corporations, foundations, educators, sports teams, and individuals to connect people, uplift communities, and inspire everyone to feel part of something greater. Learn more at coloradosymphony.org.

 

About Dazzle

Dazzle is a renowned live music venue and jazz club located in downtown Denver, Colorado. Established in 1997, it has become a cultural staple in the city’s music scene, offering performances across Jazz, Blues, R&B, Latin, and more, with a strong emphasis on both national touring acts and local artists.

 

Regularly listed as one of the 100 best Jazz Clubs in the World by Downbeat Magazine, WestWord's current Best Blues Club, and a Denver Legacy Business, Dazzle produces unique musical experiences, providing the stages upon which artists share their craft, reflecting the beautiful diversity that Colorado has to offer. The roots lie in jazz, but expand to other genres, with a variety of national and international touring acts spicing up the calendar. With live music seven nights a week, there's something for everyone. Check out the lineup at https://www.dazzledenver.com/. 

 

About the Denver Center for the Performing Arts

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is a nonprofit theatre organization in downtown Denver that presents Broadway touring productions and produces original, locally made theatre through the Denver Center Theatre Company. Alongside Broadway shows, the Theatre Company develops new plays that often go on to be staged nationwide. DCPA also offers education and community programs and manages venue rentals within downtown’s Arts Complex. Official information and tickets are available at denvercenter.org.

 

About Opera Colorado

About Opera Colorado Opera Colorado has been enriching the cultural life of Colorado for more than four decades through world-class productions, education programs, and community engagement initiatives. The company presents internationally acclaimed artists alongside emerging talent and serves thousands of students and community members annually through performances, educational programming, and partnerships throughout the region. Learn more at operacolorado.org.