Dance and theatre company coming to Niwot

Though it doesn't seem possible, Niwot's arts scene is about to grow larger. The Niwot Play Company is bringing dance and theater classes to the heart of the community.

The organization is run by theater professional and co-owner Lindy Bartruff and her husband Jim. They are excited to be in the area and bring their knowledge and experience to residents of all ages.

"We came here December of 2020 to be near my mom and sister," Lindy Bartruff said. "The second we came to Niwot it was an incredible feeling. It was so alive. All of the live music that we were bombarded with, in this town, was astonishing. We said instantly, 'This place needs dance and theater.' Everybody I talked to in the town was extremely receptive."

The pair is more than qualified to bring theater and dance here. Combined, they have more than a century of experience in theater, have participated in 300 productions, and have owned a professional, touring dinner theater company.

They also have the formal education that qualifies them to teach. Lindy has a degree in English and theater, has participated in three national tours and is a choreographer with experience in both solo and large group classes. As if that wasn't enough background, she also is a founder of the Tony Award-nominated Grand Street Theater.

Jim has university degrees as well and has led major theater companies. Most recently, he was the Director of Theater at Emporia State University in Kansas, where he was awarded the Kennedy Center Golden Medallion from the American College Theater Festival. He was the 2001 Case Professor of the Year for the State of Minnesota.

The Niwot Play Company is currently holding classes at venues throughout Niwot, including dance and theater classes at Left Hand Grange and a playreading group at Inkberry Books.

Classes are officially starting this week, but the pair held preview classes last Wednesday for Line Dancing. It was well received. "People didn't realize the Grange could feel like that," Lindy said.

Going forward, the official set of classes are operating under a specific starting structure. Dance classes will be held each Wednesday with rotating classes on other days through the month. As such, second Saturdays are for whole family events which start on Feb. 12, while third Tuesdays feature play readings at Inkberry Books beginning Feb. 15. Starting March 2, there will be two theater workshops for kids as well. The full schedule can be found online at niwotplayco.org/.

Fees for the class are by donation, an approach that was taken very deliberately. "We feel very strongly at this time, when so many people are hurting, we would like people to pay with 'whatever moves them' which also happens to be a pun on what we do," said Lindy.

The pair got their inspiration for this fee structure from a prominent Niwot event. "Because we experienced so many events, including Rock & Rails, which was pay by donation, we really liked that model," Lindy said.

The pair also is considering other class possibilities for the future. If there's interest, there may be a week of children's workshops in the summer, for example. But in the end, they want to give residents more options to experience the arts.

After a thoughtful pause, Lindy summarized her motivation behind the endeavor, "This area is full of music and creative efforts, more than you could ever imagine. We wanted to be part of that."