IN GOOD COMPANY: Profile of Firehouse Theatre Company BEHIND THE CURTAIN WITH FIREHOUSE THEATRE BY JAMIE MILLER WHEN JOHN HAND WAS MURDERED IN MARCH 2004, his sister, Helen Hand, did not let his dreams die with him. Instead, she brought them to life. Despite being a practicing clinical psychologist, Helen stepped up to run the two organizations John founded: the nonprofit John Hand Theatre (Firehouse Theatre Company), launched in 2002 inside the old Lowry Air Force Base, and Colorado Free University, founded in 1987. John had a knack for building organizations centered on community, self-discovery, and growth. Helen describes John as the more outgoing of the two siblings, while she was more shy. What they had in common was that neither had much theater experience when stepping into their roles at the John Hand Theatre. Helen’s experience was limited to 10th grade, when she helped with costumes and had a one-liner performance in the play “The Mouse That Roared.” Since becoming executive director of the theater, Helen has produced over 60 plays and supported hundreds of actors. In an ironic turn of events, she certainly has found her roar. She has continued John’s vision of creating a community founded on exploration and empathy, where actors and audience feel seen and valued. “I think sometimes I can feel his presence here. And people who do the productions say that they can too,” Helen said. Being a part of the Denver theater community has helped Helen feel close to her brother and evolve outside her comfort zone. “The theater is a perfect place for people to grow and change. The personal growth from being involved has been amazing … I want everyone to experience those ‘ah-ha’ moments I have had when they come in here,” Helen said. And she is doing a good job of encouraging that experience. “Helen possesses an incredible drive to continue learning COURTESY OF JOHN HAND THEATRE and strives to keep improving,” said Julie Kay Wolf, creative director at John Hand Theatre. “She is a testament that we can all learn and grow throughout our entire lives. She said not too long ago to me that she never expected to be growing and learning so many new things later in life. That is so inspiring.” John Hand Theatre is on track to produce six shows this year. The most recent was “These Shining Lives,” a true story about the friendship and strength of four women working for Radium Dial Company in the 1920s. Helen said the show development process is extremely intentional. In a small theater without a big red curtain, creativity, and love are at the heart of each show’s build-out. “Our artistic vision is to stage shows that encourage people to look at life through other perspectives and develop empathy. We try to find a balance in the kinds of stories and topics — a mix of funny and serious — that leave people with a sense of inspiration or admiration for the human spirit,” Helen said. According to Helen, intentionality goes beyond the shows and extends into the audience experience. Everyone who sets foot into the theater is “framily” — a term Wolf coined for friends and family.. Helen explained that the theater is always growing this “framily.” They cast a wide net by always hosting open auditions and making diversity a main priority. “We try to be really intentional about having as diverse of a cast as possible. Even with older plays, you know, breaking some of the limitations that might have been set in the script,” Helen said. The theater continued to fulfill its duty of bringing casts and audiences together, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it seemed impossible. In the summer of 2021, Firehouse Theatre performed the murder mystery “Skullduggery,” which was presented in a “drive-through theater” format engineered by Director COURTESY OF JOHN HAND THEATRE COURTESY OF JOHN HAND THEATRE COURTESY OF JOHN HAND THEATRE Maru Garcia. The audience remained in their vehicles and drove between three stations in the theater parking lot. Each station had a different actor performing a scene of the show. They found a way to come together even while staying apart. Helen said that although audience attendance is increasing in the intimate 86-seat theater, it has not recovered to prepandemic levels. But the show must go on — and Helen knows it. That is why Helen considers every closing night a celebration, complete with a champagne toast tradition. “We like to spend some time processing what the experience has been like, giving everyone a chance to share appreciation for each other and acknowledge the gift that they brought to the community,” Helen said. Helen’s behind-the-scenes presence is a large part of bringing these “gifts” to the stage, and last year, she was recognized for her contributions to local artist Rick Long’s series “Unsung.” The “Unsung” collection is a portrait celebration of 22 impactful Denver theater artists “that never got their curtain call.” “Denver’s theater scene would not be the same without her. Helen has such a big heart and it shows in the lives of those touched by the Firehouse Theatre Company,” Wolf said. To view upcoming shows and find ways to support the John Hand Theater (Firehouse Theatre Company), visit https://www.firehousetheatercompany.com. ■ July 2024 DENVER VOICE 5
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