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Performing Arts Center

Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center Now Open


A new performing arts center was the final project of DA’s two-phased Building on Excellence 50th Anniversary construction project and capital campaign. The campaign began in 2016 to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary in 2022 and to prepare Denver Academy for the next 50 years. DA’s generous community joined together to fund the following projects which have now been completed: 
  • Renovation of the Elementary Building
  • Construction of the James E. Loan Athletic Center
  • Growth of Denver Academy’s Endowment Fund by $2 million
  • Construction of the Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center
Construction on the Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center began in June 2022 and was completed in September 2023. The new center is now being used by all students at DA in grades two to 12. 

List of 1 items.

  • Head of School Mark Twarogowski

    The beautiful building that has been created is beyond my wildest dreams and imagination.
The Denver Academy Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center is 16,000 square feet and replaces the school’s previous 49-seat theater on campus. The new Center provides an inspiring setting for students to create, perform, and thrive.

The building is named in honor of Louise McCabe who worked at Denver Academy from 1977 to 2000. Having started her career at DA as a teacher’s aide, Ms. McCabe held multiple positions during her tenure and was the Head of Lower School when she retired. Within those years, she was an amazing teacher, mentor, and human being at Denver Academy. The lead donors to our Performing Arts Center chose to honor Ms. McCabe for the incredible impact she had as an educator for their child.  
What will you find in the Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center?
  • A grand theater with sectional seating and a mezzanine. Total seating capacity = 250 guests
  • A black box theater/classroom for intimate performances and classes
  • Improved sound, lighting, and AV systems
  • Central lobby with ticket office and room for pre- and post-performance functions
  • Acoustic separation between spaces
  • A scene shop with rollup doors for easy access to the main stage
  • Expanded hallways and entrances for accessibility
  • Five restrooms 
  • Separation of front-of-house from back-of-house during performances
  • An outdoor-facing restroom for athletic field activities
  • A convenient and dramatic entry located near parking and drop-off areas
Bigger and Better Spaces
The New Performing Arts Center:
  • Increases the number of classes and programming that can occur simultaneously 
  • Doubles the size of our main stage, lobby, and scene shop 
  • Gives DA a black box theater, make-up and choral music rooms, and a ticket office
  • Is a community gathering space for plays, talent shows, concerts, poetry slams, keynote lectures, symposiums, debates, and assemblies.
  • Allows the entire lower school or entire high school to join together

Please join the cast by making a donation!

For more information about the Performing Arts Center fundraising campaign, please contact:

Michael McNeill
Director of Development
303-777-5870 x218
mmcneill@denveracademy.org

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4400 E. Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80222
Main/Attendance: 303.777.5870
Admissions: 303.777.5161
General: info@denveracademy.org

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Denver Academy is an independent private school for grades 2-12 located in Denver, CO. DA inspires and empowers a diverse group of learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.

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