WE ARE BACK

Fiscal Year 2022 began with a sense of rejuvenation. After receiving a $10 million award from the federally-funded Shuttered Venue Operators Grant to offset losses from FY20 and FY21, we were able to use this capacity to reinvest in our mission in FY22.

We optimistically announced our 2021/22 DCPA Theatre Company season. While not quite restored to pre-COVID levels, the Theatre Company was able to return to the stage with a six-play season, including the perennial favorite A Christmas Carol, plus the summer tour of Wild Fire — seven shows to reengage our audience after an 18-month hiatus.

These shows combined with 10 rescheduled Broadway tours, four cabaret shows, three Off-Center immersive projects, and hundreds of classes and events all offered more than 703,000 guest experiences to our community. Of note, the majority of these programs were compressed into just seven months as our return to concurrent programming didn’t start until December 2021.

Our reopening was not without its challenges. Working in tandem with our colleagues at the Arts Complex, we implemented temporary COVID vaccination and mask requirements to protect the health and well-being of our patrons, artists and staff. Additionally, we needed to refill 170 positions and recruit 220 volunteer ushers to return to pre-COVID staffing levels. Finally, we were forced to cancel 44 performances due to COVID-related cast illness and extreme weather, resulting in $3.7 million in lost gross revenue.

Yet, we prevailed.

The reason for our successful reopening is multi-faceted. First, we received an outpouring of support from our community, raising $4.4 million for our Recovery Fund. Second, more than 350 individuals, foundations and businesses helped us complete our ambitious $17 million capital campaign to renovate the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex. Third, more than 14,000 Broadway subscribers stuck with us despite the cancellation or postponement of 35 shows.

And, last but in no way least, our DCPA team — Trustees, staff and volunteers — gave every ounce of their energy, time and talents to make sure we would succeed. While we look forward to restarting our Theatre for Young Audiences program, rebuilding our Colorado New Play Summit and developing our next five-year Strategic Plan, the culmination of FY22 was clear: We are back! Welcome home.

Warm regards,

Janice Sinden President & CEO Martin Semple Chairman