Adams State Theatre Celebrates

Adams State theatre productions through the decades

Adams State Theatre celebrates 95 years

From blacked-out windows and makeshift walls for a theatre-in-the-round to a tucked away area on the second floor of Richardson Hall, to its own building with two stages, costume shop, scene shop, green room, dressing room and grand front lobby, the Adams State theatre program has grown and developed over the last 95 years.

Soon after the college opened its doors, the faculty recognized the need to provide cultural events to enrich the student experience and to connect with the community. A theatre club was established and as the college grew, the club became a program in the English department.

In 2001 the Theatre Building was dedicated and the theatre program began to expand its size and programming. Today, it is both an academic program and a producing theatre company. Its combination of a strong academic curriculum and a robust calendar of theatre productions is essential to the education of its students and a significant part of campus and community life.

From the classics to new works, comedy improv to social change theatre, Adams State theatre students are challenged to explore theatre in its various forms in order to gain a more expansive understanding of what it is they study and what they can do with their lives and careers.

Over the years, the theatre program has developed a reputation for strong community outreach and partnership. “We take seriously our commitment to, and responsibility for, providing a variety of educational, artistic, cultural, and social programming that entertains, educates, and inspires,” says John Taylor, Ph.D., chair of theatre.

Through a partnership with Alamosa’s homeless organization, La Puente Home, and Valley Wide Health Systems, the annual holiday season benefit performance has raised nearly $700,000 since 2008. “We encourage our majors to think about how they will use their degree in theatre to change their part of the world. While still in college, this is a concrete example of how they can make a difference in their community,” Taylor said.

In remembering and celebrating the past 95 years of theatre at Adams State, the theatre program looks ahead to the next century of educating new generations of theatre artists.

Influential Adams Stater

Marquez beginning his pole vault

Marquez pictured middle

Marquez presents Outstanding Leadership Award Often the higher up you go in administration the further you get from students. I was not going to let that happen. I can’t advocate for students if I don’t know what is happening from their perspective.”

Ken Marquez ’87, ’94 retires after a legacy at Adams State

As an Adams State student-athlete, Ken Marquez propelled himself through the air, cleared the bar and then free fell onto the thick pit. His pole-vaulting technique, skill and success were future indicators of his approach to his life and profession.

Marquez, Class of 1987 and 1994, still moves with quick precision, sees obstacles ahead as challenges to overcome, and knows when to relax his grip and follow his instincts, talents he used the last ten years as vice president of student affairs at his alma mater. He retired on April 30.

“I love it and I miss it so much,” he says of his former job and Adams State.

His impact on students continues long after their graduation. Patrick Cleary, Adams State Class of 2017, is currently a practicing attorney with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt in Portland, Oregon. “I was fortunate enough to learn from Ken in multiple settings and witnessed him speak up for what he thought was right, regardless of popularity. This is something easy to preach and hard to practice. I specifically remember cabinet meeting votes or resolutions where Ken was the only one to call out flaws in otherwise popular opinions. I was impressed then, remain impressed now, and strive to emulate him as I shape my career.” Marquez’s story is one of paying it forward. What Marquez did for Cleary and hundreds of other students came from kindness shown by a resident assistant his first semester at college. “My resident assistant took the time to pay attention to me and bring me out of my shell and I knew that was the kind of person I wanted to be,” Marquez says. “Someone who sees and really cares about others, who is compassionate and takes the time to listen and really give of their time.”

Students first

In college, Marquez became a resident assistant and, after graduation, a resident director before leaving for Northern Arizona University in 1994 to gain additional experience in housing and student life. Fortunately for Adams State, Marquez accepted the position of associate director of housing and residence life in 2000 and was promoted to the director position when it became available. His supervisors saw nothing but promise in Marquez, whose positive attitude and energy are his hallmarks. In 2004 he was responsible for the overall operations of Adams State’s campus housing system and broad overall program of the Student Union Building as director of auxiliary services. His skill set and welcoming personality truly found their place when he accepted the full-time dean of student affairs, eventually promoted to assistant vice president of student affairs, and retiring as vice president of student affairs. “Often the higher up you go in administration the further you get from students. I was not going to let that happen,” he says. He stayed in touch with students’ needs and expectations as the Associated Students and Faculty (AS&F) advisor. “I can’t advocate for them if I don’t know what is happening from their perspective.”

AS&F Presidents say ‘true that’

Mariah McDermott, Class of 2020, appreciated Marquez as a down-to-earth and approachable advisor when she was AS&F president. “Ken genuinely cared for everyone on the team and he made an effort to get to know each team member,” she says. “He was available and present during each meeting, event, retreat and interaction I shared with him. Ken went above and beyond to make sure students knew who he was and stood out compared to all other administrators.” Cleary served as AS&F president from 2015 through 2017. “Ken inspired me during my time at Adams and continues to serve as an inspiration today,” the attorney says. “Ken’s deep, caring nature, not only for the university, but the development of each student, was contagious and unmatched. He took a genuine interest in the success of students and always encouraged continued growth through extracurricular activities, which he ardently supported. If it mattered to a student, it mattered to Ken and that permeated throughout everything he was involved in, and AS&F was no exception.” After decades of working with college students, Marquez has seen many of the same issues arise over and over again. “Here is the deal: I treat everyone like an individual. I really take the time to listen and give them my time. Every situation is different and everyone needs to be heard.” His dedication inspired Cleary. “There is no one who cares more about Adams State and its students than Ken. It is difficult to explain the magnitude of the impact Ken has had on me,” he says. “He is a huge part of where I am today and I hope to one day be the leader he is. As a corporate lawyer, I encounter difficult decisions daily and am able to maneuver each [one] thanks to the guidance that Ken provided during my time at Adams State. Throughout my career, I strive to emulate his traits of leadership, amicability, and passion.” Marquez earned his M.A. in community guidance and counseling from Adams State in 1994, which he says was invaluable during his career working in higher education. “Ken’s empathy and genuine interest in the lives of students inspired me,” McDermott adds. “Ken is a good person, and that makes him a good leader and I was inspired to try to do the same.”

Open Door Open Mind

In the world of student life, there are no office hours or scheduled appointments. His final semester on campus, Marquez arrived at 8 a.m. and unexpectedly found five students and a mother waiting for him. “I missed a meeting to help them. I know I can’t fix everything but if I tried, I can live with that.”

Cleary testifies to the truth in that philosophy. “He took the time to learn about students and their priorities, needs, and struggles. His door was always open and he was always willing to help however he could. Having been at other institutions, I can confirm that Ken is one in a million. He always made time for students whenever they needed it — whether it was picking up the phone or stopping into his office. It was never ‘set up a meeting’ or ‘I can look at this next week’ … Ken was there when a student needed it, period. Ken’s commitment to students made him the best mentor possible and he will be irreplaceable.” Marquez is not ready to leave the profession altogether. He and his wife, Dolores, plan to remain in Alamosa and he hopes to continue serving students, possibly in the public school system. “Mine is a great story, every single bit of the way. I am the luckiest guy in the world.”

in addition...

2011-2021 Adams State vice president of student affairs/services 2010-2011 Adams State assistant vice president of student affairs 2006-2010 Adams State University (ASU) dean of student affairs 2005-2006 ASU interim dean of student affairs 2004-2005 ASU director of auxiliary services 2002-2004 ASU director of housing and residence life 2000-2002 ASU associate director of housing and residence life 1996-2000 Northern Arizona University (NAU) area coordinator 1994-1996 NAU residence hall director 1991-1994 ASU residence life coordinator (bi-lateral assignment) 1988-1994 ASU residence hall director course instructor at ASU and NAU AStater 15