Frequently Asked Questions

The Festival

  • A reading is a performance by professional actors without a set or costumes. There is a narrator for each piece who reads the stage directions.

  • We have an electronic record of all tickets. If you have lost your ticket, arrive a few minutes early so we can get you checked in.

  • Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

  • The Colorado New Play Festival focuses on new play development. Our festival gives playwrights the time and space to take their works to the next level. Over the course of a week, the collaboration with actors, directors, and dramaturgs brings new perspectives to works. The reading allows the playwrights to gauge audience reaction and further refine their pieces before production. The simplicity of the reading allows the audience to focus on the story and not be distracted by sets and costumes.

  • Steamboat Springs, Colorado has long been a haven for the arts. Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp, the oldest continually running performing arts camp in the country, is just outside of town and is the original home of the Colorado New Play Festival. The combination of nature, art and recreation here creates a theatre experience you won’t find anywhere else.

  • The Colorado New Play Festival began as the New Works Festival at Perry-Mansfield in 1996. In 2018, the festival became an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

  • 75% of the plays that come to the Colorado New Play Festival move on to production. Our plays have been produced all across the country from Colorado stages to Broadway!

  • All plays are read internally by staff and by guest outside readers. Input is evaluated and lively discussions ensue to ensure we are covering a wide geographic area of the country and bringing diverse ideas, voices and stories to the Festival each year.

  • The Colorado New Play Festival is unique in that we partner with theatre companies to bring plays from page to stage. We do not consider plays from individual playwrights. Projects must be connected to a theatre company. Interested theatre companies can contact us to discuss projects and request an RFP. 

    Click here to learn more.

  • Yes! We rely on interns and volunteers to make our festival a success. Please visit the Work With Us page for more information. 

  • No. Steamboat Springs is a town of jeans and cowboy boots. Wear what is comfortable for you.

  • Yes, with a provided discount code students can buy a ticket for one of the readings for only $10.

    Contact us for more information.

  • Parking for rehearsals is at Colorado Mountain College. There is plenty of parking outside the venue.

    There is ample parking around the venue for the readings at the Bud Werner Memorial Library.

  • Yes, service animals may attend a show, however verification of Service Dog status will be required. Please contact us prior to the Festival to make arrangements.

  • Yes, both Colorado Mountain College and the Bud Werner Memorial Library are wheelchair accessible.

    Please contact us prior to your arrival so we can make sure that you are assisted and that you have a seat reserved for you.

  • No. All performances are works in progress.

    No photographs or videos may be taken during performances.

  • We prefer that all phones are turned off during the festival.

    However, we understand that emergencies happen. If you need to leave your phone on, please leave it on ‘silent’ mode and be prepared to leave the venue if you need to take a phone call.

    We will remind the audience before each performance to silence and/or turn off their phone.

Visiting Steamboat Springs

  • Steamboat Springs, Colorado is located in Northwest Colorado.

    The location is fairly remote, which allows us to maintain our down-to-earth vibe and preserve our western ranching heritage.

    Steamboat Springs sits at an elevation of just over 6,700 feet. Due to the high altitude, we recommend drinking a lot of water for the first few days as you acclimate and bringing layers of clothing, as we can have snow storms into June and even July!

  • There are two airports that you can fly into. Denver International Airport (DIA) and the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Steamboat Airport). If you wish to fly to Steamboat Springs you will more than likely have to connect at DIA.

    The drive from DIA to Steamboat Springs takes 3-4 hours depending on type of transportation. There are taxi and bus services that run from DIA to Steamboat Springs, but need to be booked in advance. There are also car rentals at DIA if you want to be able to explore Steamboat Springs once you get here.

    The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is located half an hour from the town of Steamboat Springs. There are taxi services that run to and from the airport and car rentals are also available at the airport. Uber and Lyft drivers service this area.

    • There is a free bus that runs from the mountain resort area to downtown Steamboat Springs.

    • Uber and Lyft drivers are available.

    • Please note there is not currently reliable taxi service in Steamboat Springs for in-town trips.

    • Some hotels offer shuttle service.

    • There is also a core trail where people can walk or bike ride from the mountain area to downtown and back.