YOU’VE FAILED GOD & GOD’S FAILED YOU.

PUT ON SOME MAKEUP & TELL THE STORY, TO MAKE HOLY WHAT’S PROFANE.

Ryan Conarro's SAINTS OF FAILURE explores collisions of queer identity and faith in America, through storytelling, original organ music, and live makeup transformations. In the reflective sanctuary of Denver's Historic Grant Avenue Church, Ryan shares stories that weave with Risha Rox’s makeup design, Shannon McKinney’s lighting & scenery, Martha Yordy’s organ accompaniment, and Mark Middlebrook's vocals, inviting audiences into raw, humorous, and profound reflections on faith, loss, discovery, and liberation. The piece is directed by Ellie Heyman.

SAINTS OF FAILURE is presented by Generator Theater Company and the University of Denver Department of Theatre, in collaboration with Historic Grant Avenue Church and Sacred Space.

Our community partners include PFLAG Denver, The Center on Colfax, the DU Dept of Religious Studies, and JUUST Living, who will facilitate post-show community dialogues on Saturday, April 17 and Friday, April 23.

SAINTS premiered in New York in Fall 2019, in a site-specific production in Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Community partners included the Brooklyn Pride Center and the LAPC Social Justice Committee.

SAINTS ran in Juneau, Alaska in February 2020, in the Church of the Holy Trinity, where community partners included Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance (SEAGLA).

Created and performed by Ryan Conarro

With Martha Yordy, organist & composer

And Mark Middlebrooks, vocalist

Directed by & developed with Ellie Heyman

Makeup design & coaching: Risha Rox

Scenic and lighting design: Shannon McKinney

Original costume design: Haydee Antuñano

Denver costume design: Janice Benning Lacek

University of Denver student collaborators: Newt Fantalis, Ashley Wagner, Haley Hartmann

Event details:

Covid-19 protocols: Historic Grant Avenue Church is observing Covid protocols, including: limited audience capacity; physically distanced seating; and the use of HEPA filters in the space. Please wear a mask; audience members will be expected to remain masked throughout the event.

Doors open at 7:15pm.

On Saturday, April 17 and Friday, April 23, please stay after the performance ends to join us for a post-show community conversation, facilitated by PFLAG Denver and The Center on Colfax.

Parking: you may park in the 2 lots on Grant Avenue just south of Historic Grant Avenue Church. There is also free street parking throughout the neighborhood.