William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was first produced approximately 425 years ago, somewhere between 1599 and 1601. While his tale of a son avenging the murder of his father by killing his uncle has withstood the test of time, the story actually goes back 2,600 years or more, tracing back to the Norse legend of Amleth.

An incredible legacy, to be sure.

But why is Hamlet still produced to this day? It has a powerful plot, without question. Its themes of politics, family, corruption, mental health and mortality certainly remain relevant.

And its fans are steadfast, loyal and generous patrons of the arts.

For more than a dozen years, a group of friends regularly stepped forward to support Shakespearean plays produced by the Denver Center Theatre Company. Among the group were former DCPA Trustee Isabelle Clark and Mike & Diana Kinsey, members of the DCPA’s Directors Society premium subscription group. Beyond conversation, dinner, and numerous productions, they elevated their appreciation of theatre into financial support of The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, As You Like It, Macbeth, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Unfortunately, Clark passed away unexpectedly on October 27, 2022.

When Denver Center Theatre Company Artistic Director Chris Coleman selected Hamlet as part of the 2024/25 season, the Kinseys knew just how to honor their friend — become Producing Partners of the play in her honor.

“We shared so many Shakespeare performances together over the years — both at the DCTC and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in Boulder,” Diana said. “While we didn’t always agree on whether a particular version was worthy, our continued support of these endeavors persisted.”

Shakespeare remains the most produced playwright of all time thanks, first, to extraordinary efforts of Shakespeare’s contemporaries — Henry Condell and John Heminges — who preserved his work in The First Folio and, second, due to individuals like the Kinseys and Isabelle Clark who make the work possible.

“Isabelle always liked to be up front in the audience where the actors (most of whom she knew very well) could sense her presence and would certainly be aware that she was sending a nonverbal reminder that the audience expected their best efforts and that she was there to support them,” Diana continued.

And the theatre community took the cue. Their type of support engendered an outpouring of gratitude among Denver’s theatre community.

The Kinseys are recipients of the 2018 True West Award in recognition of their past support for the Arvada Center, Athena Project, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Curious Theatre Company, Edge Theater, Phamaly Theatre Company, Stories on Stage and the Denver Center Theatre Company.

At the Denver Center alone, they have supported Death of a Salesman, When We Are Married, The Secret Garden, Appoggiatura, The Nest, Anna Karenina and more. They continue as long-time members of the Directors Society, lifetime members of the Women’s Voices Fund and have named the DCPA in their estate plans as part of the Encore Society.

The Kinseys are “two of the most generous lovers and supporters of theatre in Colorado,” said Past DCPA Chairman Martin Semple. Be that as it may, the ever-humble couple is more inclined to redirect any recognition back to Isabelle and other philanthropists in the community.

“I have observed no greater champion of quality theatre in Denver than Isabelle Clarke,” said Diana, “and that is why Mike and I wanted to celebrate her legacy of giving.”

Isabelle’s involvement with DCPA began when she and her late husband moved to Denver more than 30 years ago. After his death, she continued their love of the theatre by joining the Directors Society and Best of Broadway Society, served as a DCPA trustee for 15 years (2007-2022), contributed to the DCPA’s Grander Opening capital campaign, donated to the renovation of the Historic Tramway building where DCPA Education is housed, became active with the DCPA’s former graduate acting school, was a founding member of the Women’s Voices Fund, named the DCPA in her estate plans, and was a Producing Partner on The Three Musketeers, Shadowlands, A Christmas Carol, Lookingglass Alice, and The Constant Wife in addition to other productions.

In a 2018 interview, Clark expressed why she had such a long-lasting relationship with the DCPA: “I think the arts are so important. I think people learn better when their minds are open to the arts. I think the Denver Center is so important because it has been the root of the culture of theatre we have around Colorado.”

Thanks to Mike and Diana Kinsey and their celebration of Isabelle Clark, theatre not only has deep, well-nourished roots in Colorado, it thrives.

To explore ways in which you can honor a loved one in your estate plans, contact Caitie Maxwell,

Senior Director of Development at 303.446.4840.