Congratulations to NTPA’s Director of the Year, Mr. Denver Danyla!

Denver has been directing with NTPA for almost 3 years. After joining NTPA as a Summer Camp instructor, Mr. Denver has quickly taken on more teaching opportunities at NTPA, and now serves as a Senior Resident Director. His energy, enthusiasm, and passion for educating students shines in his work as a director and designer.

“Denver is the heart of Fairview Youth Theatre,” says NTPA parent Jessica Forbes. “He has an endless impact on the lives of our young actors. He gives his time and energy with a smile on his face and unending love in his spirit. He instills confidence, models kindness, demands inclusiveness, and most of all, celebrates and embraces each kid for who they are!”

Denver earned a BFA in Acting for Stage and Screen from Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles, and first began working with students as a counselor at youth camps. Soon after graduating, he began directing children and young adults in the Houston area and is thrilled to continue his love for teaching, directing and mentoring here in the Dallas area.

Denver brings his passion for igniting creativity in students to each production he directs for NTPA. Most recently, you may have seen his production of Puffs in Fairview which was one of NTPA’s most intricate shows ever, boasting a record number of props, sound, and lighting cues for an NTPA production! In January, Denver opens one of NTPA’s largest productions with the cast of Peter Pan JR including over 80 youth actors!

“When Denver gives the welcome speech for any of the shows, his passion, dedication and true heart always stick with me,” says NTPA parent Christine Kless. “My eyes well up when he talks about kids finding a place and being welcome and just flat out being who they are. It is THE kind of encouragement and message our kids need to hear and WE need to hear.”

Mr. Denver will be directing his third Don Zolidis play during the holiday break in Fairview! This winter’s production is “Dystopia! The Hungry Maze Game of Divergent Death.” These Don Zolidis scripts have quickly become a holiday hit in Fairview with our older actors!