The Future of Froelicher Theatre

When it comes to Colorado Academy’s project to build the new Leach Center for the Performing Arts, it seems the school has an unusual luxury: a bit of time. Prior to the pandemic, the project was slated to get underway at the end of May 2020. Now, having been given the option of rebidding the project to reduce costs and waiting up to 90 days to begin, the school stands to save some money, while maintaining its plan to build and open a new center by Fall 2021. “The plans remain unchanged, so this is not an effort to change the scope of the project— it is simply an opportunity to view the project with a new lens,” says Director of Operations Jesse Schumacher. “Prior to the pandemic, Colorado had a booming construction industry, and that made labor and supplies priced at a premium. While there is so much that the pandemic has made more difficult and more expensive, this is one place where we might not have to spend quite as much as we had first anticipated. At the same time, we know that moving forward will help employ dozens of workers and subcontractors.”

At the last Board of Trustees meeting of the 2019-2020 school year, members voted to delay the start of construction until the project was rebid in June. At the same time, trustees restated their commitment to moving forward with the project, citing it as critical to the future of CA and the school’s ongoing commitment to the arts. The experience of performing arts on a stage was something that students missed in their third trimester of the school year. Student plays and numerous other performances were cancelled, just some of the many experiences Seniors missed. In a final school project, Senior Bailey Walker set out to capture how students felt about losing their opportunity to bid farewell to a place they knew so well.

A Farewell to Froelicher

BY BAILEY WALKER ’20

The coronavirus pandemic has upended almost everything in our daily lives. As a third tri Senior, I dreaded logging on to class meetings just to watch more and more of our traditions disappear into the ether. However, the hardest part for me personally has not been the loss of certain dates or scheduled events, but not being able to just be on campus as a Senior. Not being able to lie in the grass during a free block or set up my hammock by the fields is a disappointment I never thought I would encounter. The whole experience has made me realize, if not appreciate, the importance of place in my life. In my own experience at CA, no place has meant more to me than the theater.

As a building, Froelicher Theatre is forever intertwined with the classes, performances, Town Halls, and hangouts that have happened inside its un-airconditioned walls. Since the long-overdue demolition and rebuilding of Froelicher Theatre will most likely happen before I get a chance to re-enter those hallowed walls, I wanted to collect thoughts from the people who loved it and used it the most—not just to serve as a farewell to the building itself, but to remember the spirit of the CA theater community that lives on into the new building and our current virtual world. n

Preliminary rendering of the Leach Center for the Performing Arts

The story of Froelicher Theatre can be found in so many places—each name etched into the walls by hundreds of actors and technicians leaving a lasting memory of their accomplishments…the splatters of paint that make up a chaotic but artful piece on the floors backstage...the cracks on the floor where the tiles have decided to curl upwards, pointing at the lights waiting for their next use that will never come. The applause dies down and the house lights come up. One era ends, only to give birth to another.” James Doolittle, Junior “Froelicher Theatre has just about always been my favorite place on campus. Even when it was acting up and being an absolute mess of a building, the space was so charming and filled with such great

The new Leach Center for the Performing Arts will be used by every CA student and will serve as a place for the wider community to gather. We invite you to play a role in CA’s future by making a gift today to support the project. Please visit CASeeItThrough.org or contact Gravely Wilson, CA Advancement Officer, at gravely.wilson@coloradoacademy.org.

memories that it was impossible not to love. I’ll never forget performing there for the first time and just soaking up the irreplaceable energy of that space. And I will not forget just hanging out on the scaffolding with friends on slow afternoons. Froelicher will definitely be missed.”

Aidan Klingbeil ’20 “I started out in the theater as just the little Freshman girl who operated the spotlight. I remember thinking that there was no way that the cool Seniors would give me a second glance. But after my first rehearsal, a wonderful Senior girl named Liza came up to me and asked if I wanted to go get Starbucks with everyone. I know it’s the smallest little thing, but it meant the world to me. Later, I remember acting with Justin in Our Town and thinking, “Why am I standing next to this talented actor?” But he showed me how confident I can be on stage. I hope I was able to do the same for the underclassmen in the program who performed with me.” Phoebe Cannon ’20 “The place that is hardest for me to say goodbye to is the Basement Theatre. It is less visited and less known, but I would spend every moment there, if possible. The lessons I’ve learned both in class and in shows have shaped me in ways that academics never will—not to mention all of the singalongs, rituals, tears, conversations, make-up disasters, impromptu performances, sassy comments, and bonds that were forged, which will forever live as some of the best memories I possess. I’ll miss you, Froelicher Theatre, but I know that everything you gave us will carry on in our new space.”

Claire Kenny, Sophomore “Froelicher Theatre is my favorite place on earth. It is my home, even though I live half an hour away from school. It is a refuge for every bad day and a place to celebrate every good day. I have made all of my best friends there. It has done so much for me that I could never repay it.” Cooper Kofron ’20 “My home, Froelicher Theatre, is a place to laugh until your stomach hurts, a place to cry until you’re dehydrated, a place to love until your heart feels full. Since my Freshman year Technical Theater class, this place has given me so much more than I can possibly give back. To all of you who have felt the magic of this place: you have a special place in my heart. To all who have not yet: you’re always welcome. The theater is not just a place, it’s a community. Annabelle Swenson, Junior