ABOUT OUR RENOVATION

Since 1979, our DCPA Theatre Company has engaged and inspired local audiences with joyful comedies, heartfelt dramas, and never-before-seen world premieres. But our 40-year-old facilities were aging, limiting the company’s creative potential and no longer meeting the accessibility or safety standards that we wanted to provide to our community.

Beginning in 2010, we embarked on an ambitious facility master plan to renovation the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex.

PHASE 1 (2010-2016)
Renovation of artist housing, implementation of energy improvements, and renovation of the Dorota & Kevin Kilstrom Theatre to make it fully ADA compliant, upgrade life/safety systems, and provide additional restrooms including a gender-neutral facility.

PHASE 2 (2017-2021)
Complete rebuild of the Marvin & Judi Wolf and William Dean Singleton theatres including fire/life safety, energy efficiency and technology upgrades; improved sightlines and seating flexibility; expansion of ADA services including three new elevators and increased wheelchair and companion seating, addition of gender-neutral restrooms for audiences and crew, and a new entrance to the Singleton Theatre from the central lobby.

PHASE 3 (2023-2024)
Completion of fire/life safety issues in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, namely in the Jones Theatre.

ABOUT A GRANDER OPENING

The renovation project totaled $57 million, which was made possible thanks to $31.1 million from the City of Denver’s Better Denver, Elevate Denver and RISE bond funds; investments from the Bonfils Foundation and the DCPA, and $17 million from the DCPA’s “A Grander Opening” capital campaign, which was completed in May 2022.

When launching the organization’s first-ever public capital campaign, the Board of Trustees made a 100% commitment, which paved the way to our success. This included four lead gifts from Marvin & Judi Wolf, Dorota & Kevin Kilstrom, William Dean Singleton, and Robert & Judi Newman. Their contributions were recognized by renaming the four theatres within the Bonfils Complex:

• The Marvin & Judi Wolf Theatre (formerly Stage Theatre)
• The William Dean Singleton Theatre (formerly Ricketson Theatre)
• The Dorota & Kevin Kilstrom Theatre (formerly Space Theatre)
• The Weeks Conservatory Theatre (formerly Conservatory Theatre)

Additionally, 351 individuals, foundations and corporations made gifts to “A Grander Opening.”

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES

While the capital campaign goal has been achieved, our work is never done. From theatrical productions to educational classes, the Bonfils Theatre Complex is home to local talent on a world-class level. Naming opportunities are still available for spaces and seats throughout the building.