Photos by Joe Contreras Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery below)

Fourteen years ago, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) launched a first-of-its-kind initiative — an endowment fund to support the work of women in theatre. In the same year, the DCPA created its Women with Hattitude luncheon, the proceeds of which go directly into the endowment fund.

A sellout crowd of more than 600 guests  gathered at the luncheon for one purpose — to give voice to women playwrights whose work only accounts for 20% of plays produced across America today.

Since its inception, this annual luncheon has contributed more than $600,000 to the Women’s Voices Fund, which is currently valued at $1.5 million. The Fund has enabled the DCPA Theatre Company to produce 30 plays by women, commission 19 female playwrights and hire 23 female directors. Furthermore, the Fund also has contributed to 13 world premiere plays by women, including this season’s productions of Human Error (May 18-June 24) and The Great Leap.

More than 600 guests enjoyed a social and networking hour before lunch by Epicurean Group and a musical selection from an upcoming DCPA production. The day culminated with a parade of hats; each table selected a representative to walk the runway in the Macy’s Parade of Hats — an impromptu fashion show of the day’s most spectacular hats judged by a panel of local fashion experts.
The fashion show was accompanied by a song performed by former Bobby G High School Musical Theatre Award winner Charlotte Movizzo.

This year it was the 14^th annual Women with Hattitude. This year’s chairs were Pam Sletten and Paul Jerez. Sponsors were Beret Sponsors: Macy’s and University of Colorado; Fascinator Sponsors were Ray & Denise Bellucci, Margot Gilbert Frank, Mariel, Moxxy Women, and Foxstone Financial.

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ABOUT THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is the largest non-profit theatre organization in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, multimedia plays. Last season the DCPA engaged with more than 1.1 million visitors, generating a $115 million economic impact in ticket sales alone. Follow the DCPA on social media @DenverCenter and through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts News Center.

Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media