Phamaly Theatre Company’s “creative home for theatre artists with disabilities” does more than provide opportunities for actors to shine on stages across the Denver metro area. The company aims to transform the entire theatre industry so that all artistic spaces are willing to create accommodations for artists and uplift disabled voices. Until then, Phamaly will continue collaborating with organizations to support this generation of artists and the next, through inclusive education and accessible learning opportunities.

Phamaly Theatre Company, Improv Class

This year, Phamaly is thrilled to announce partnerships with organizations such as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), Northglenn Arts, the Lone Tree Arts Center, and several local universities, including the University of Colorado Boulder and the Community College of Aurora. These collaborations aim to help artists with disabilities hone their craft, empower aspiring actors, and enrich the theatrical community.

Continuing its long-standing partnership with the DCPA, Phamaly offers quarterly classes tailored to the community’s needs. These classes are aligned with Phamaly’s season productions or based on what actors are excited about. For example, before auditions for its fall production, Dance Nation (Oct 9-19, 2025), Phamaly will offer a class focused on reading and reflecting on a play, allowing participants to hone their cold reading skills, which are crucial for interpreting scripts quickly and effectively during auditions.

Phamaly strives to make its classes as accessible as possible, which doesn’t stop at providing accommodations for individuals’ physical, neurological, or mental disabilities. Phamaly recognizes that financial barriers often prevent individuals from pursuing theater education. All classes at the DCPA are free to attend for individuals who identify as having a disability.

Phamaly Theatre Company, Puppetry Class

“We want to fill the gap for those who haven’t had access to theater education before,” Lauren Lynch-Eidson, Phamaly’s Marketing & Communications Manager emphasized. “The DCPA is a well-trusted, highly respected institution. Providing our actors the chance to learn from artists involved in the larger theater industry helps build a pipeline of folks who want to explore theatre, who were previously told they couldn’t.”

Phamaly’s commitment to inclusivity fosters talent and enriches the narratives presented on stage, emphasizing the vital role representation plays in the arts. Lynch-Eidson shared that individuals with disabilities make up a significant portion of the population, yet their stories are often underrepresented on stage. “It’s vital for young people to see themselves in the stories we tell, and for the community to engage with and understand the diversity of experiences that exist,” she states.

To facilitate this, Phamaly is working with organizations like Northglenn Arts to revamp their educational offerings to be more inclusive, including providing resources for accommodations during rehearsals and performances.

Phamaly is also working with the Lone Tree Art Center to develop programs for younger actors. In conjunction with their adaptation of Pericles, Phamaly is hosting classes this summer for children with cognitive disabilities. Using the Hunter Heartbeat Method, these classes explore classic texts, such as Shakespeare, in an engaging manner.

Phamaly Theatre Company, Improv Class

Developed by English theatre director, actor, and writer Kelly Hunter, the Hunter Heartbeat Method is a series of sensory drama games derived from Shakespeare’s text, which enable individuals with cognitive disabilities to enhance spatial awareness, develop facial expressions, and improve motor skills.

“This method allows kids to learn through play, which is essential for understanding and appreciating theater,” says Lynch-Eidson.

In addition to introducing the Hunter Heartbeat Method to children at the Lone Tree Arts Center, Phamaly is bringing this innovative approach to a broader audience this Spring.  By hosting a series of workshops led by Hunter at various locations, including the University of Colorado Boulder and the DCPA, participants will not only engage with Shakespearean texts in an accessible and engaging manner but also gain insights into Hunter’s work in London.

Through its educational offerings, partnerships, and commitment to accessibility, Phamaly Theatre Company strives to create a world where disabilities are celebrated and the theatre experience is accessible and welcoming to all. As they look ahead to an exciting season filled with new opportunities, Phamaly continues to inspire and empower artists of all ages.

For more information about upcoming classes and workshops, visit Phamaly’s website and spring into a class with Phamaly!