The Sala Project: Echoes of Curtis Park
May 8-18, 2025
Savoy Denver
Join Alma, a curious woman of Latina/Mexican heritage, on a tour of the historic Savoy Denver — until a mysterious radio crackles to life and a cosmic Radio DJ takes control, guiding Alma through decades of songs, memories, and true stories that celebrate the Latine and Chicano/a history of Denver’s Curtis Park neighborhood. From Abuela’s kitchen to Sacred Heart Church, to the beating heart of Mestizo-Curtis Park, experience this unforgettable journey of culture and belonging.
Theatre Artibus, in collaboration with former and longtime residents of Denver’s Curtis Park Neighborhood and local Latine/x theatre professionals, presents Echoes of Curtis Park at the Savoy Denver May 8-18, 2025. A theatrical storytelling experience, Echoes of Curtis Park shares the stories from Mestizo-Curtis Park and the Curtis Park neighborhood from the early 1940s through present day.
The Sala Project: Echoes of Curtis Park began with individual recorded interviews, story circles and written correspondence with former and longtime residents of the neighborhood. Further research was collected at History Colorado, the Denver Public Library’s Special Collections Department and news clippings. A creative team including Theatre Artibus, Lisa Hori-Garcia, and Debra Gallegos was formed to begin the process of writing a script and gathering an ensemble of local Latine/x actors that helped create the production. Some of the cast members have family that were early residents of the Curtis Park neighborhood and are excited to help tell their stories using the unique theatre styles of Theatre Artibus and Lisa Hori-Garcia who took the lead in writing the script and directing the action on stage.
The Core Artistic Team and project cast have embraced the stories and memories and hope audiences will delight in remembering and honoring the past and building a future that, in the words of the cast, “truly honors everyone!”
The cast includes Stephanie Saltis, Magally Luna, Mitch Marquez, Debra Gallegos, Lucinda Lazo, Phil Luna, and Buba Basishvili & Meghan Frank (co-creators of Theatre Artibus). Designers include Cipriano Ortega (Set), Ricky O-Olguin (Sound), and Sean Mallary (Lighting), and Brynn Sater Starr (Costumes).
Supported by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Denver Theatre District, and the RiNo Arts District,
Creative Team Bios:
Theatre Artibus is a physical theatre company from Denver, Colorado, USA, in residence at the Savoy Denver, dedicated to strengthening community through the experience of live performance. More info at theartibus.com
Lisa Horia-Garcia is an actress, director, writer and teaching artist who spent 18 years as a company member with the Tony-award winning, political theater company, The San Francisco Mime Troupe. She has worked with Denver’s Curious Theater company, and nationally with Magic Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater and the American Conservatory Theater.
Debra Gallegos has performed music and theatre in Colorado and the Southwest for over 50 years. Debra is best known for her work with Su Teatro, Denver’s Chicano Theatre company, since 1974. She continues to be part of the arts community and volunteers with KUVO Public Radio Station. Debra is an accomplished musician and vocalist who was inducted into the Su Teatro Chicano Music Hall of Fame.