EDITOR’S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR Native community. Among the is Phamaly. Since FOR THIS YEAR’S JULY ISSUE, we profile three local theater companies along with a story by Jacob Richards about Grand Junction-based Get Uncomfortable Productions. Additionally, we have an article on Native American painter, Jerry Rael, written by Giles Clasen. As Clasen explains, Rael’s works present a lost era of the American West, but his paintings also act as a protest of the past and present treatment of the theater companies the included in this issue late 1980’s Phamaly, a disabilityaffirmative company, has produced some of the area’s best shows performed by a group of incredibly talented actors, who, without Phamaly, would not have an opportunity to perform. Robert Davis covered Curious Theatre, which has produced thought-provoking plays designed to challenge ideas and stir emotions for nearly 40 years. Jamie Miller profiled John Hand Theatre (Firehouse Production Company), whose mission is to build a community of positivity, kindness, inclusivity, and joy through the theater arts. We have so many more exceptional theaters along the Front Range, including Miners Alley, Aurora Fox Arts Center, Town Hall Arts Center, Benchmark Theatre, and several others we weren’t able to cover in this issue. Whether or not you’re a long-time resident, visitor, or someone who has just moved to the area, there is no shortage of amazing art or exceptional theater here, and I hope this issue inspires you all to get out and experience the remarkable work of Colorado-based artists. ■ ROBERT DAVIS is an award-winning freelance reporter for the Denver VOICE. His work has also appeared in Colorado Newsline, Business Insider, Westword, the Colorado Sun, and Medium.com. INTERIM OPERATIONS MANAGER Isabella Colletti MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan JAMIE MILLER graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business management. She enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains, reading a good book at a local coffee shop, and doing yoga. JACOB RICHARDS is a community organizer and writer on the western slope of Colorado. His columns have appeared across the West including The Denver Post, Salt Lake City Tribune, and The Daily Sentinel. When not working in the wilderness, he is working on a project called “A People’s History of the Grand Valley.” PROGRAM DIRECTOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Lanie Lee Cook Emma Hurt Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Robert Davis Gigi Galen WHAT WE DO The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We give our vendors a job and help them tell their stories; this creates a space for them to be part of a community again. Vendors purchase copies of the VOICE for 50 cents each at our distribution center. This money pays for a portion of our production costs. Vendors can buy as many papers as they want; they then sell those papers to the public for a suggested $2 donation. The difference in cost ($1.50) is theirs to keep. WHO WE ARE The Denver VOICE is a nonprofit that publishes a monthly street newspaper. Our vendors are men and women in the Denver metro area experiencing homelessness and poverty. Since 2007, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work. Our mission is to facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. We are an award-winning publication, a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we abide by the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. WRITERS Lando Allen Albert Bland Giles Clasen Robert Davis Raelene Johnson Jamie Miller Jacob Richards Jerry Rosen Charles Spring Rodney Woolfolk BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, President Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Robert Davis Charity Von Guinness Nikki Lawson Cabal Yarne THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist who is a regular contributor to the VOICE. Several of the photos he’s taken for the VOICE have won national and international awards. He also served on the VOICE’s Board of Directors. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @deeOCE 2 DENVER VOICE July 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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