COGNation

One of my first shows in the Denver area was a little musical chesnut called Camelot. (You may have heard of it.) Being new to town, I didn't know it at the time, but this was something of a powerhouse production: David Ambroson as Lancelot, choreography by Gary Hathaway, music direction by J. Scott Lubinski, and featuring such performers as Keith Hershman, Kevin Tobias Brown, Alisa Vaughters, Kelly Van Oosbree, Richard O'Brien Moore, and many others who have been mentioned at one time or another on this blog. (I, of course, played the villain.) Theatre Colorado blogger, Becca Fletcher, was our stage manager.
Also in this production were two kid actors playing the squires, one of whom was a friendly and eager young fellow named Scott Merchant. Scott went on to graduate from the Denver School of the Arts and is currently a student at Roosevelt University. Scott spends his summers back here in Denver and has recently undertaken a project to help himself and other actors to keep their skills honed during the "off season."
Direct from the COGNation Facebook page, here is a little more information:

COGNation exists as an experimental vehicle for theatre, improvisation, performance art and spoken word. It is a safe haven for growth and expansion of ourselves as artists among others who are hungry for play.
Twice weekly . . . we will gather to workshop, showcase and/or discuss theatre arts, with a specific focus every meeting.
The cost is free. The space has been donated. Join the Nation of the Children of Green to grow and expand in a way we otherwise would not be able.

A few of the upcoming dates and locations:

Wednesday, July 15th 8pm @ Tramway Building on 13th and Arapahoe
(Monologues)

Monday, July 20th 8:30pm @ CHUN Annex building at 1201 Williams St.

Wednesday, July 22nd 8pm @ Tramway Building on 13th and Arapahoe

Wednesday, July 29th 8pm @ Tramway Building on 13th and Arapahoe

Friday, July 31st 6pm @ CHUN Annex building at 1201 Williams St.

And for more information, contact Scott directly at ScottRayMerchant@gmail.com.

Of course we know that in this business (in most businesses really) we get better by doing, and I think it's great that Scott has gone to the effort to find an arena for performers to, well, do.