Centennial Shakespeare in the Wild Opens Free Fifth Season

Aspen —“Go ahead.”

That was the entire response Leigh Miller got from South Suburban Parks and Recreation in 2020 when he asked if he could host a Shakespeare play between two trees. Miller, now the artistic director of Shakespeare in the Wild, didn’t get a budget spreadsheet or a zoning variance. He got permission to set up a stage at the edge of a dried grass field in deKoevend Park, Centennial.

This weekend, that simple ask becomes a full-blown summer tradition with the opening of their fifth season. The company is presenting “The Comedy of Errors,” a slapstick farce about identical twins separated by a shipwreck. It’s physical, it’s family-friendly, and yes, it is free.

Miller brought in a professional clown to train the actors for this specific production. The result is a show that leans heavily on physical comedy rather than dense Elizabethan dialogue. For locals who have walked past deKoevend Park for a decade, the transformation of that space into a theater is notable. Miller ran there every day for about ten years before the stage appeared.

The location strikes a balance that is rare in Colorado: it feels wild, yet it’s accessible. The parking lot sits only 300 yards from the stage. If you need help navigating the gravel path, there’s a golf cart available. You don’t need to trek across the tundra to see it.

Miller emphasizes that the show is always free. You just need to bring a chair, some food, and bug spray. He notes that bug spray might not be a bad idea, given the location near dried grass and potential insects.

The performance schedule runs August 14-16, 20-23, and 27-30. The venue is deKoevend Park at 6301 S. University Blvd., Centennial.

Beyond Centennial, the cultural calendar for this week (Aug. 13-19) offers a few other options for those willing to drive or stay local.

In Aspen, The Vault at the Wheeler Opera House hosts a free, ticketed concert featuring the musical duo Larry & Joe. They perform “Latingrass,” blending folk song traditions from Venezuela and Appalachia into a cross-cultural night of musical storytelling. The event takes place at 4:30 p.m. on August 13 at 320 E. Hyman Ave.

For photography enthusiasts, the Madden Gallery in Greenwood Village is hosting opening receptions for “VIEWFINDERS.” This exhibition features more than 100 contemporary and historical photographs capturing the landscapes, mythology, and visual identity of the American West. The reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on August 14 at 6363 S. Fiddlers Green Circle, Ste 110.

Meanwhile, Golden is hosting its 36th annual juried arts fair at Parfet Park. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 15-16. It features live music and work by 100 hand-selected artists from around the country. Admission is free.

These events are curated to give readers a sense of arts and culture happening across Colorado, not an exhaustive list. They represent low-cost or no-cost options for locals looking to spend their weekends without digging into their savings.

The practical bottom line is this: you can see a Shakespeare play in Centennial, hear Venezuelan-Appalachian folk music in Aspen, view 100 photos of the West in Greenwood Village, or browse art in Golden. None of it will cost you an admission fee. You just need to bring a chair, bug spray, and the willingness to sit outside.