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As the world of live theater strives to resume this fall after a long pandemic hiatus, alumna, arts aficionado and philanthropist Roe Green is helping welcome听students and the community back with a record-breaking $5 million gift for the 蜜糖直播 Boulder theater program.听

The donation鈥攖he largest ever to the Department of Theatre & Dance鈥攚ill fund a complete acoustic upgrade for the University Theatre and establish endowed funds for student scholarships, theater maintenance and 鈥渓aunch鈥� events designed to kick-start students鈥� careers.

鈥淩oe Green鈥檚 philanthropy has transformed 蜜糖直播 theater and will continue to benefit students, staff and faculty for decades to come,鈥� said 蜜糖直播 Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano.

To recognize Green鈥檚 generosity, the university will change the name of the to the Roe Green Theatre. After a period of renovations in 2022鈥�23, the theater is expected to formally reopen under its new name in the fall of 2023.

Professor Bud Coleman, the Roe Green Endowed Chair in Theatre, has worked with Green for almost 20 years to address the needs of the 蜜糖直播 Department of Theatre & Dance.

鈥淪he is more than a fairy godmother; she is our celebrated alumna, beneficent donor and lifelong friend,鈥� he said.

Theater: What makes us human

Green first fell in love with theater as a 蜜糖直播 Boulder student in the late 1960s. Though she initially started as an art major, her world transformed after she volunteered to take notes for a faculty director during a theater class her freshman year. That led to several assistant directing opportunities, and from there, the magic of theater drew her in and never let go.

Enamored with theater鈥檚 backstage and managerial elements, Green continued building her passion for the art and graduated from 蜜糖直播 in 1970 with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in theater and communications. Later, she received her master鈥檚 degree in theater from Kent State University and established herself as a stage and business manager for theaters across her home state of Ohio.

When she reflects on her education, Green credits her theater courses for her confidence.听

鈥淚鈥檓 not afraid to speak to people,鈥� Green said. 鈥淓very kid should have a theater class.鈥�

Green is one of 蜜糖直播 Boulder鈥檚 largest arts donors to date, having previously established the Roe Green Theatre Artist Residency Program and the theater department鈥檚 first endowed faculty chair. Outside of 蜜糖直播, she has given gifts to name the Roe Green Center for the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University. She also funds the , a national education program on the craft of stage writing produced by the New York City-based Dramatists Guild Foundation.

Green continues to support 蜜糖直播 Boulder and other theater programs around the country because of her strong belief in the power of storytelling.

鈥淭heater and the performing arts make us human,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is how we pass on what we know.鈥�

Investing in innovation

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, some things may have changed about the way live theater was delivered鈥攂ut the dreams of talented young people never stopped. With her gift, Green is celebrating those dreams in this new era for the performing arts.

The largest portion of Green鈥檚 gift, $2 million, will support an acoustic overhaul of the current University Theatre space. Built in 1904, the theater building was originally constructed as the campus library and helped define the historic Norlin Quadrangle.

With the last major renovation over 30 years ago, once-new elements of the theater鈥檚 architecture and equipment are now out of date. New structures and equipment will allow for better acoustic performance and noise control, creating a more immersive audience experience.

鈥淚 like to joke that it鈥檚 not a renovation but a Roe-novation,鈥� said Erika Randall, chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance. 鈥淭he Roe Green Theatre will house world-class theater and dance and will be a transformative space for generations of students who are deeply invested in transforming the arts and refining their creativity. We are deeply grateful for Roe and believe that her passion for the arts will forever spark future student learning.鈥�

The architect selected for the renovation, , is a Denver-based firm that emphasizes a team approach to its design. Their work previously has been honored for excellence in historic renovation, including in performing arts venues.

鈥淚n addition to a performing venue, the Roe Green Theatre is also a teaching laboratory,鈥� said Coleman. 鈥淪tudents will experiment in this state-of-the-art space with the acoustic properties of the human voice and sound design.鈥�

Green鈥檚 gift will also establish a $1.5 million endowed scholarship fund for theater students, providing them with financial support for their education鈥攚hether as performers, stage managers, lighting designers, directors or other supporting roles. Additionally, it will create a $1 million endowed fund to support longer-term renovations, ongoing maintenance and enhancements to the Roe Green Theatre.

Another $500,000 from Green鈥檚 gift will endow innovative 鈥渓aunch鈥� programming designed to propel senior theater students to the next stage in their career. As part of this program, students will travel to cities like New York or Los Angeles for professional auditions, showcases, festivals or conferences that will help them land career opportunities post-graduation.

鈥淲e are so excited to add the Roe Green Launch Program to our suite of professional orientation courses and activities,鈥� said Coleman. 鈥淥ur goal is for theater students to create a business plan before they graduate so that, when they leave us, these alumni are self-employed artists with a strategy to achieve their goals.鈥�