Durango PlayFest's Real World Speaker series brings New York City actor Erika Vetter to Durango to speak with High School and College Theatre Students as well as the Public on Thursday April 3 from 1-2pm.

Four Corners Arts Forum

Erika Vetter is a professional actor from New York City who will be visiting Durango as a part of PlayFest’s 2025 Real World Speaker Series connecting young theatre professionals with our local high school and college students who may be interested in pursuing a career in theatre. This Thursday April 3rd from 1-2pm Erika will give a free talk for Fort Lewis College students as well as regional high School students. This event which is also open to the public will take place at the FLC Main Stage Theatre building. During the week Erika will be busy speaking directly to theatre classes at Durango High School, Animas High School and Fort Lewis College about her path to becoming a professional actor. She performs both on stage and in TV, has been nominated for many awards and recently starred in “Swing State” a Merely Players production here in Durango. Additionally her theatre credits include performances in “Teenage Dick"(Seattle Repertory) and the Off Broadway production of "Emilie" (The Flea, NYC). Her TV credits include "Only Murders in the Building" (Hulu) and "Somebody I Used to Know” (Amazon Prime). Erika lives in Brooklyn and you can visit her website at www.erika-vetter.com. Durango PlayFest began in the summer 2018 and is producing its 7th season this year from June 24-29. Durango PlayFest empowers new and emerging playwrights through submissions by providing a collaborative environment to develop new work with professional actors and directors from New York and Los Angeles, culminating in thought-provoking play readings at the Durango Arts Center with talkbacks that engage local audiences. PlayFest creates educational and employment opportunities for students and the community, while contributing to the economic and cultural vitality of Southwest Colorado. Felicia Meyer Artistic Director also Chair of the Fort Lewis College Performing Arts Dept puts us on the map for play development. From the beginning PlayFest partnered with FLC and involve students in all aspects of the festival development by providing various intern positions in stage management, lighting & sound, marketing, hospitality and more. In 2023, PlayFest launched the Speaker Series to expand the role of education. The first year, featured was Sky Lakota-Lynch, of Ethiopian/Native American decent, who is currently starring on Broadway in Tony award Best Musical "The Outsiders”. This years PlayFest will be happening from June 24-29 and tickets to the readings at the Durango Arts Center will be available mid April on their website at www.durangoplayfest.org.