Christopher Dyer, a longtime executive with the Denver-based premium cable TV network Starz/Lionsgate, has been unanimoulsy appointed to the Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors, President Will Barnette has announced.
The 4-year-old Denver Actors Fund makes financial and practical assistance available to members of the Colorado theatre community facing situational medical need. Last week, The Denver Actors Fund surpassed $100,000 in distributed grants in addition to meals, groceries, transportation and other assistance.
Dyer’s roots within the local theatre community run deep, dating back to 1993. The St. Louis native came to Denver from the Orthwein Theatre Company and was quickly hired by the DCPA Theatre Company as a Sound Operator. One of his first local productions was The Dresser, featuring the legendary Tony Church and Jamie Horton and directed by Anthony Powell.
“I am quite excited over the opportunity to join the Denver Actors Fund,” said Dyer. “When I look at the Colorado theatre community, and how committed they are to each other, I see the community that I first saw when I moved to Denver in 1999. I see a lifeline of creativity, and I am excited to be a part of it again.”
Dyer served as Business Manager for both Ad Hoc Theatre Company (the precursor to Curious Theatre) and the Vogue Theatre, and spent two seasons as a stage manager under John Ashton at the Avenue Theater.
“I fondly recall working with John Ashton, particularly on his first staging of Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” Dyer said. “John would always take so much care and pride, and he always made sure his actors were taken care of.”
Dyer’s career took a turn in 1999 when he was hired as Program and Acquisitions Coordinator for Starz Encore Entertainment. His eclectic journey took him to Los Angeles’ American Cinematheque, Seattle’s Theatre Puget Sound, Denver’s Performance International and Los Angeles’ AFI Fest before Dyer was hired by pay-TV magnate John Sie, namesake of Denver’s Sie Film Center, to help launch and program well-established cable channels including IndiePlex and RetroPlex. Among the many film discoveries Dyer was responsible for bringing to national TV audiences was Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas, starring Harry Dean Stanton.
Dyer is probably best known locally for his longtime role as Hospitality Director for the Denver Film Society, where he conceived the always packed Late Night Lounge parties attended by dozens of celebrities ranging from Alan Cumming to Vince Vaughn from 1999-2013.
“I was very impressed by Chris’ passion and thoughtfulness,” said Barnette. “He was involved in Denver theatre early on and then built his event and management experience over many years. Chris is passionate about health care and draws on his wife’s (Hope Carwile) experiences as a nurse providing end-of-life care. Chris will be a wonderful addition to our board.”
Dyer already feels right back at home in the Colorado theatre community. “That was my home, in the Denver art world,” Dyer said. “Everyone takes care of each other.”
