We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dena Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dena below.

Dena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was a kid who found my identity through taking part in theatre in Middle and High School. Having survived some childhood trauma, I found happiness and purpose in the rehearsal room and on the stage. The people drawn to theatre have always been “my people,” and I decided at a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in theatre.

I went to New York City as a senior in high school to audition for various college programs across the US and ultimately decided on CalArts to earn my BFA. I later landed at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, which began my nearly 15-year run of living and working in the UK. (10 years as an actress, later as a theatre educator).

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Early in my career, I was drawn to classical theatre, and the reason I wanted to relocate to London was that I wanted to be a classical theatre actress. I was invited to study at RSAMD and was picked up by an agent in my final year, who gave me the opportunity to move to London and start “treading the boards”. I never realized how difficult it would be to convince the theatre community that an American actress could, indeed, perform the classics! When I finally landed a part in a touring production of Macbeth, I had to pretend I was English! Since I had to find a way to pay the rent, my agent convinced me to embrace my “American-ness” and go for some American parts. This worked, and I began to fill my resume with credits on the stage and on television. I was fortunate to work at the Gate Theatre, the English Speaking Theatre in Frankfurt, and in the National Theatre where I did the original reading of a play called “Popcorn”, written by Ben Elton, which ultimately went on tour and transfered to the West End Apollo Theatre, where we won the Olivier Award in 1997.

During my stint as an actress, I always had this little idea in the back of my mind. The fact that I felt that theatre “saved” me as a child, I knew I wanted to use theatre to help children find their confidence. During my years in London, I set up a weekend theatre school with a friend of mine who had appeared in a long-running television series on the BBC called “Grange Hill”. I think because we were recognizable from that show, we attracted a large number of kids who signed up for our classes. This went on for a few years and began to fulfill me in ways that acting never did. I started to realize my true calling.
After a 2 1/2 year run on “Popcorn”, I decided to return to the States (back to Los Angeles), which is where my two children were born.

9/11 happened, and we had a brief “get out of the city” panic moment. We packed up our minivan and moved to New Mexico (several family members lived there). While only there for two years, I had the opportunity to continue to teach at the University of New Mexico and work with children who had been kicked out of public schools due to behavior issues, in a program that introduced them to theatre. I took some of the most popular stories of Shakespeare and worked with these kids to retell the stories in their own words and circumstances. It was powerful and rewarding.

Long story short, (after a brief return to the UK) our final destination ended up being Rhode Island, where my children started school and where I started my brain child, ARTS ALIVE!

Having spent so much time in the UK, where the Arts are very much a part of the culture and heavily integrated into the education system, I was a little shocked at how they seemed to be disappearing in the US schools due to budget cuts. Even when I grew up in Texas, theatre and performance were part of the school day. It was the reason I went to school every day!
The principal of the elementary school my children were entering knew about my background and asked if I would be interested in directing a school play – they hadn’t had one in over 20 years. I, of course, jumped at the chance and asked my friend Kimberly Durkin (who happened to be a friend in LA with a background in costumes for Hollywood Movies), now also living in RI, if she would help me costume the kids. Over 120 children signed up to take part in our production of “The Wizard of Oz” in 2010. After a successful production, the other schools started asking us to do the same for them. At that point, we joined forces with local dance studio owner, Pamela Morgan, and Arts Administrator Kirsten Davis to form the non-profit, “Arts Alive!”.
Fast forward to today, where we now serve all of the elementary and middle schools in Barrington, Bristol, and Warren (the Rhode Island East Bay), in addition to our Statewide pre-professional High School program. We work with over 1000 children a year, producing fully-mounted school plays, workshops and Summer Camps; we employ professional performing arts teachers, costumers, set designers and theatre technicians. We are heading into our 16th year. This organization is everything to me. Most of the children who start our programming in the 1st grade stick with us throughout their school careers. We have developed an internship program, where once the kids are in the 8th grade and into high school, they help mentor the younger actors, assist in rehearsals, backstage, and with the tech. This “giving back” element is one of the most special things about Arts Alive! We are now seeing kids come back after college as staff. Not everyone decides to pursue theatre as a profession. Most don’t. But the lessons they learn in theatre give them valuable skills they take with them to every profession.
I would never trade my years as an actress. But it is working with children and other teaching artists that gives my life richness and meaning. Our organization continues to grow, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in the years to come. The Arts are not a privilege, they are a necessity – particularly in the world we are living in today.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The Performing Arts are vital to our communities for a multitude of reasons—emotional, educational, cultural, social, and even economic. The Arts bring people together. Whether it’s a local theatre production, dance recital, or concert, these shared cultural experiences create a sense of belonging, pride, and connection among community members. They reflect a community’s stories, struggles, and triumphs.

Theatre, dance, and music offer youth a platform for self-expression, creativity, and confidence-building. These experiences foster empathy, resilience, and collaboration—skills that are crucial both on and off stage.

The Arts challenge audiences to think, feel, and reflect. They explore complex themes, diverse perspectives, and moral questions. Whether it’s Shakespeare or contemporary dance, the Arts invite us to ask “Why?” and “What if?”

When we invest in the performing arts, we invest in people—our children, our neighbors, our elders—and the stories that make us human. A thriving Arts scene signals a vibrant, compassionate, and connected community.

What can people do to support the Arts? Go to see shows, and make donations to organizations that speak to your heart. I think every Arts organization struggles to exist financially. Talk about the importance of the Arts. Have a dialogue with others.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for visibility and engagement—and Arts Alive! has harnessed it to connect, inspire, and grow. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have allowed Arts Alive! to share rehearsal clips, cast highlights, performance photos, and behind-the-scenes moments with a much wider audience. Families, alumni, and supporters from across the country can now follow and support the program in real time.
Sometimes we task our students with using their creativity to help promote our shows. (They are the experts!)

Additionally, social media has helped prospective families and students discover Arts Alive! in a more personal and visual way. They don’t just read about us—they see the joy, creativity, and excellence that defines our programs.

Today’s performers are not just waiting to be discovered—they’re building their own platforms. They no longer have to be passive, but can put themselves out there and just create and connect with others. That did not exist when I was a young performer. There were many more barriers.

We continue to navigate this ever-changing platform, but I would say the best way to engage is just to be honest. Tell real stories. Share vulnerabilities. The same way that we do on stage. It’s about connecting with the spirit of others.

Check us out: @artsalive_ri (Insta) or artsalivebarrington (FB)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artsalivebarrington.org
• Instagram: @artsalive_ri
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtsAliveBarrington

Image Credits

All photos are the property of Arts Alive!