DAC Youth Theatre & Performing Arts Program
Durango Arts Center, 802 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301
About
The DAC Youth Theatre & Performing Arts Program focuses on movement, speech, storytelling, and character development. The program is part of the broader youth education offerings at the Durango Arts Center, which align with local, state, and national education standards in Colorado and New Mexico. These activities take place within the Durango Arts Center’s performing arts programming, which also includes productions by the Durango Arts Repertory Theater (DART) company and other community events.
• Ages: 5–8 years old
The Durango Arts Center is a nonprofit visual and performing arts organization in the Four Corners region. Its mission is to enrich the local community through visual arts programs, live performing arts shows, and arts education, and to advance appreciation and participation in the arts as a cultural leader in the region. The organization coordinates over 80 annual community events, including exhibit receptions, theatre performances, artist lectures, and film screenings, and hosts the Durango Autumn Arts Festival, which welcomes over 7,000 guests each year.
DAC exhibits around 25 shows annually in the Barbara Conrad, Art Library, and Entrada/Arriba Gallery spaces, featuring local, national, and internationally recognized artists, with each exhibit including events such as workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and film screenings. The Durango Arts Repertory Theater (DART) company presents 4–5 professional productions and 6 children’s productions to over 5,000 patrons, and the theater serves as a venue for over 60 organizations and business events each year.
The Durango Arts Center offers year-round scholarship assistance supported by individuals and local foundations such as the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado and Ashes Away. Youth in Big Brothers Big Sisters receive full tuition scholarships for art classes and Durango Youth Theater camps. The Durango Arts Center states that it is proud to remove financial barriers to classes for all participants, with scholarship applications considered on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are dispersed, and scholarships covering tuition only. The organization’s leadership team includes Jason Lythgoe, Youth Theater Director, Performing Arts Department; Beth Lamberson Warren, Executive Director; Ben Dukeminier, Director: Barbara Conrad Gallery, Visual Arts & Education; Monica DiBiasio, Artistic Managing Director, Performing Arts Department; Jenifer Heerdt, Director of Operations & Durango Autumn Arts Festival; Lisa Adolph, Finance Director; and Jasmine Lewis, Night Manager.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
• Ages: 5–8 years old
The Durango Arts Center is a nonprofit visual and performing arts organization in the Four Corners region. Its mission is to enrich the local community through visual arts programs, live performing arts shows, and arts education, and to advance appreciation and participation in the arts as a cultural leader in the region. The organization coordinates over 80 annual community events, including exhibit receptions, theatre performances, artist lectures, and film screenings, and hosts the Durango Autumn Arts Festival, which welcomes over 7,000 guests each year.
DAC exhibits around 25 shows annually in the Barbara Conrad, Art Library, and Entrada/Arriba Gallery spaces, featuring local, national, and internationally recognized artists, with each exhibit including events such as workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and film screenings. The Durango Arts Repertory Theater (DART) company presents 4–5 professional productions and 6 children’s productions to over 5,000 patrons, and the theater serves as a venue for over 60 organizations and business events each year.
The Durango Arts Center offers year-round scholarship assistance supported by individuals and local foundations such as the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado and Ashes Away. Youth in Big Brothers Big Sisters receive full tuition scholarships for art classes and Durango Youth Theater camps. The Durango Arts Center states that it is proud to remove financial barriers to classes for all participants, with scholarship applications considered on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are dispersed, and scholarships covering tuition only. The organization’s leadership team includes Jason Lythgoe, Youth Theater Director, Performing Arts Department; Beth Lamberson Warren, Executive Director; Ben Dukeminier, Director: Barbara Conrad Gallery, Visual Arts & Education; Monica DiBiasio, Artistic Managing Director, Performing Arts Department; Jenifer Heerdt, Director of Operations & Durango Autumn Arts Festival; Lisa Adolph, Finance Director; and Jasmine Lewis, Night Manager.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.