We had the good fortune of connecting with Piper Arpan McTaggart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Piper Arpan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve been passionate about the arts since I can remember. My mom said she knew I was a dancer before I was born from all the kicking she felt when she was pregnant! I started formal dance training at three years old, and that hobby bloomed into a passion that drove most of my life and career decisions. I was admitted to The Florida State University on scholarship, which at the time boasted the number one dance school in the nation. I received a BFA in Dance and a BA in business management before heading off to New York to chase my dreams of performing professionally. Those dreams became a reality as I performed on Broadway, in regional theatres across the country, movies and commercials, and on a National Tour where I met my future husband. Since working in restaurants was always my ‘side hustle,’ and my future-husband’s livelihood, the two of us opened our first restaurant/bar in 2008, and acquired our second one in 2018. My involvement with the restaurants still supports my artistic endeavors, but better than ever since I am now also an owner!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a storyteller, my heart is in the theatre. My love started with dance, and has since grown to love singing, acting, directing, and choreographing. I love digging in with actors to find depth in the material, creating movement that helps the story soar to new heights. I love the rush I feel when the curtain goes up on opening night, the heat of the stage lights on my face. I love the deep relationships formed and the belly laughs back stage. I love the collaborative aspects of creating art, the give and take and the gems we can find when we share ideas. I love the vulnerability we can feel and share with the audience within the context of the work, the satisfaction of nailing the timing of a bit…it’s all soul filling for me. When I’m in the theatre, I feel joyous and safe. Working in the arts has been therapy for me my whole life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was on a National tour for years, and I can say Denver is one of my favorite cities in the U.S.! We have it all…arts, food, fashion, culture, nature, sophistication, and fun! I would definitely check out a few shows at some of my favorite places to work…The Denver Center, The Arvada Center, Lone Tree Arts Center, Miners Alley, The Aurora Fox, Town Hall Arts Center…the list goes on! Of course I’d recommended dinner and brunch at Cap City Tavern (the Chicken Wings and Truffle Gruyère Mac and cheese will knock your socks off, and Sunday Bingo Brunch is more fun than the law should allow). And then of course we’d hit up the Bannock Street Garage Bar for drinks! $6.50 will get you a Billy Jack: A can of PBR, a shot of Kentucky Gentleman, and a complimentary cigarette. The popcorn and the ring game are free, and that’s basically all I need for a perfect night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This may sounds backwards at first, but my parents did NOT really support my passion for dance when it first became serious. But I’m grateful, because that’s when I realized I needed to figure out how to pursue it on my own. It made me relentless in my pursuit, which likely accounted for much of my success over countless other factors. Then I met Dino McTaggart, my husband, business partner, co-parent, and best friend. He’s championed my career since the moment we met…traveling across the country many times while we were dating, splitting time between New York and Denver while we were engaged, starting businesses with me while working within my show schedules and supporting me as a I continued to travel and create. He’s my rock, and one of the hardest workers I know. I could never do all that I do—and that’s a lot—without him.

Website: Www.capcitytavern.com

Instagram: Garagedenver

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