Marcia Milgrom Dodge‎, Director of Sense & Sensibility The Musical (above) was among the many offering Kent Thompson their well wishes today. Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen

Kent Thompson, only the third Producing Artistic Director in the nearly 40-year history of the DCPA Theatre Company, announced his resignation Thursday, effective March 3. Here is a sampling of the well-wishes that have been sent in or posted on social media since the news broke:

On the morning Kent Thompson announced the creation of the Women’s Voices Fund for the DCPA Theatre Company, I remember thinking that this man just counted up all the shows before his arrival in Denver and figured out fewer than 10 were written or directed by women in all those years. And he said, “Enough is enough. Let’s change that.” Kent was the first leader I met who worked on gender inequities in the field. Also, while we’re at it, he said, “Let’s launch a huge new-play program.” The Denver Center has been a major artistic home for me. Many shows. Many workshops. Many birthdays. Many problems with altitude. Many, many years of great theatremaking. I feel privileged to have been part of the Thompson years, and I have so much respect for the work he has done.
Wendy C. Goldberg, Director (Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner), Artistic Director of the National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

I’ve worked with Kent Thompson off and on for almost 20 years. Nothing I can say will begin to describe what that has meant to me. He already knows I’m grateful. I’ve told him many times. I wish him all the best in whatever new adventures come his way.
Sam Gregory, Actor (A Christmas Carol)

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity you gave me to play one of my dream roles. Robert Petkoff, Actor (Sweeney Todd)

Kent Thompson is a damn fine human being. Kent’s work for the theatre company and Denver at large will be felt for years to come.
Geoffrey Kent, Fight Director and Actor

Best of luck to you, dear Kent. I am grateful for the spectacular Sense & Sensibility The Musical experience with the DCPA Theatre Company. Here’s hoping your next chapter brings you great success and much happiness.
Marcia Milgrom Dodge‎, Director (Sense & Sensibility The Musical)

I so enjoyed working with you and getting to know you, and was looking forward to much more of that. I hope our paths cross again soon in the world. Many congrats on your huge accomplishments at the DCPA.
Melissa Rain Anderson, Director (A Christmas Carol)

I have admired your leadership not only in Denver, but the ambition many of your ideas have fueled the national conversations about important issues and initiatives we ignore at our peril.
Edgar Dobie

I owe so much to Kent Thompson. He took a chance on me while I was still in school and cast me in The Liar, which was my first show at the Denver Center. As a kid growing up in Denver theater, that was a big deal. It’s also because of him that I got to play Sylvester in Scapin at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, where I met friends I will cherish for the rest of my life. He did so much for the DCPA and for the Denver theater community, and I wish him the best in all his new endeavors.
Matt Zambrano, Actor (The Liar)

Kent Thompson is a true visionary. I admire him so.
Elaine Romero, Playwright

Kent Thompson will be missed … and that’s an understatement.
Tina Walls, DCPA Trustee

Kent Thompson, thanks to you, I played a sassy wench from Cyprus with epic red hair and an ethereal green-haired lady and her feisty granddaughter. But best of all, I had the privilege of running around an Athenian forest with these wonderful people and a gaggle of mechanicals and fairies, to boot. I am so grateful to you, sir, for taking a chance on an overzealous grad student. I would dunk myself in a freezing pool of water in Denver in February for you anytime.
Allison Pistorius, Actor (A Midsummer Nights Dream)

Thompson’s legacy: Giving sound to unheard voices

It was a great honor and pleasure working with you. I wish you all the best as you transition into the next chapter of your life. I know beautiful experiences and adventures await you.
Lauren Shealy, actor (A Christmas Carol)

Kent is a kind and wonderful human being and a generous collaborator who is leaving very large shoes to be filled.
David M. Barber, Scenic Designer (The Most Deserving)

I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had under Kent’s leadership and proud of the work we have created together. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and I’m excited to see what artistic adventures await him.
Charlie Miller, DCPA Associate Artistic Director for Strategy and Innovation

Kent, I so value our artistic collaboration and friendship. Thank you for everything.
Karen Zacarias, Playwright (Just Like Us)

Thank you for your talent and creativity.  It has been wonderful to see your productions,  and your footprint is apparent. Best wishes for you next endeavors. We will be watching.
Karen Garcia

I’ve had the honor of working on two shows with Kent Thompson, and he will be missed greatly in the Denver theatre community. Kent’s work with the DCPA has impacted my life so much, which is why I think of Denver as a second home.
Erik Daniells. Conductor (Sweeney Todd)

Kent Thompson’s groundbreaking achievements here are not likely to be matched in the near future.
Alan Gass

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

Fred Vaugeois and I of the Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre in Trinidad want you to know how pleased we’ve been with the many new programs and quality productions you brought to us as theatregoers and the increased focus on live theatre you generated for all of us in Colorado. We met briefly one day in your office when you were kind enough to share insights and suggestions for our work in southern Colorado.  You also facilitated a playwriting workshop for our youth interns, which was a great success for our kids.
Harriet Vaugeois, Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre

Your creativity, drive and excellent spirit made each story the best quality in storyline, character development and being able to pull it all together with grace. Judith Babcock

Many thanks for your leadership of the Denver Center. My spouse and I have admired your work and your loyalty to the Denver Center.
Ed and Patty McAuliffe, ushers and patrons

I have enjoyed your tenure at the DCPA. You have helped keep things relevant while pushing boundaries and preserving excellence.
Andy Frazier

You have brought excitement and joy to me with the wonderful plays you’ve produced in Denver. We have been blessed with your creativity, vision, sensitivity and so many more of your talents to our theater here in Denver.  I’m grateful I was able to participate in the experience.
Kathleen Anderson

We followed you from Alabama Shakespeare Festival and were feeling a bit isolated until we got to our first play at the Denver Center. When we first realized that you and several “friends” from Alabama were here in Denver, we began to feel at home in Denver. Thank you.
Samera and Bill Baird

We have been season-ticket holders since the DCPA was formed, and you have been such a marvelous addition to the organization.  We think the plays get better each year and we credit you with the many wonderful experiences you have given us.
Ann and Gary Polumbus

We have been subscribers since 1990 and have missed only one production during that time.  Kent Thompson’s contribution and leadership have been felt and appreciated. Richard and Christine Hall, Colorado Springs

Selected previous NewsCenter coverage:
The Thompson legacy: Giving sound to unheard voices
The Christians: Five things we learned at first rehearsal
Where the blade meets the band: Kent Thompson on Sweeney Todd
Kent Thompson on The Bard, The Creature and the soul of his audience
2016-17 season: Two world premieres and a return to classics
Westminster High School tackles immigration with DCPA’s Just Like Us
How Thompson turned questions into exclamation points

Photo gallery: A retrospective of Kent Thompson’s years in Denver

To see more photos, click the forward arrow on the image above.