Department of Theatre and Dance students were invited to perform "Shakespeare Unplugged" at the 2010 CCIRA Conference on Literacy in February. The Colorado Council International Reading Association (CCIRA) is a nonprofit professional development organization for educators and teachers. The association works to promote the improvement of reading instruction. Each year, the conference in Denver attracts more than 2,500 educators from across the United States.

Developed in the spring of 2009, "Shakespeare Unplugged" brings Shakespeare to 3rd-5th graders in a fun and contemporary way by introducing young audiences to live theater, "plugging" classic literature into a modern context, and encouraging artistic expression among elementary students. Since its inception, the production has reached more than 7,000 students at schools in Boulder, Lafayette, and Fort Collins and at Elitch Gardens’ Outdoor Classroom.  In addition to the performance, study guides are provided to teachers for classroom use and students participate in "talk-balk" sessions to further engage them with the actors.

"Shakespeare Unplugged" was written and directed by doctoral candidate, Amanda Holden. BFA students Joan Dieter, Scott Ryan and Tim Pasternak performed in the show. Other Theatre students involved in the production were Sarah Kuehler, stage manager; Sarah Talaba, props and costume design; and Sophie Hall, costume design.