Setting the Stage: Robinson Theatre Renovation

We need your help

Impacting the arts in Western Colorado

Colorado Mesa University and the State of Colorado are investing in the future of performing arts in western Colorado by prioritizing the renovation of the Moss Performing Arts Center and the building of a new state-of-the-art theatre. We are excited to announce that the Colorado Joint Budget Committee, the General Assembly and Governor Polis have approved $39 million to rebuild the Robinson Theatre. CMU will invest an additional $5 million towards the project, estimated to cost a total of $50 million.

We need your help to raise the additional funds that will allow us to build a truly transformative performing arts center on par with front range facilities and establish CMU as a regional cultural destination.

Fundraising Goal

$8 million

Donation Options

Legacy Circle

Under $500 to $100,0000

A tiered donation option starting with website recognition up to season tickets and more.

Founder's Circle

$100,000 to $2 million

Donate to the Founder's Circle for naming rights, VIP ticketing and parking to all performing arts events.

Make a donation online

Or you can call the Colorado Mesa University Foundation at 970.248.1902

What’s next?

See what's next for CMU performing arts. Support our theatre and enjoy live performances by attending an upcoming show.

See upcoming performances

An audition for change

Why a New Theatre?

Built in 1968

Robinson Theatre was named for William S. Robinson, the founder of the theatre department. The theatre has served the Department of Theatre Arts and the Department of Music for more than half a century.

Size prevents growth

200k visitors attend performances at the Robinson Theatre per year. However, that number is limited by the theatre’s capacity of less than 600 seats.

Academic needs

Insufficient practice rooms, studios, make up and laundry rooms limit the growth of theatre and music departments. CMU is at a disadvantage compared to performing arts programs at other institutions.

Maintenance

The university has maintained the theatre for 54 years. It no longer meets safety and technological standards that are required today.

The urban-rural divide

Urban areas such as the Denver metro region are dense with organizations focused on the arts. However, our rural communities have become cultural deserts. It’s no wonder the urban-rural divide exists so strongly when our rural communities lack access to cultural amenities that are so common in densely populated urban areas.

Building a new state-of-the-art theatre would establish CMU as a regional cultural destination. This investment flips the script on the urban-rural divide, provides better opportunities for students and allows our entire community to come together to create a better future.

The map provided shows the urban-rural divide in Colorado, in which most performing arts centers are located along the I-25 corridor.

The power of the arts

Bridging the divide

Some say our country has never been more divided, whether through race, gender, political affiliation or even whether to get vaccinated or not. Throughout history, the arts have served as our conscience, helping all of us tackle difficult issues in creative ways and to provide shared experiences that bring us closer to each other.

Our ability to connect with each other grows when we experience collective emotion through the arts. Help us support the arts in our local community, success for our students and cultural advancement on the western slope of Colorado.

Panel discussion: President Marshall sat down with diversity, inclusion and equity expert Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod, theatre arts department head Mo LaMee and students Isabel and Lauren to discuss the power of the arts and how they bring people together like few things do.

A Theatre Legacy

The Robinson Theatre

While the university has maintained the Robinson Theatre during its lifetime, the space no longer supports the needs of the programs or the broader community. In order to better serve our growing community and remain competitive with our peer institutions, it is time to build a new university theatre.. This new theatre will address safety and technological concerns, provide more seating, enhance the visual and auditory experience for audiences, and increase space for rehearsals, performances and classrooms as well as the backstage amenities needed to support a theatre of this size.

Exterior rendering

Theatre

Main lobby

Upper lobby

Donor room

Club level

Rebuild Benefits

The Ripple Effect

A new performing arts center...

Better prepares students for their careers.
Establishes CMU as a destination for high-quality music and theatre for prospective students.
Better connects local music and theatre nonprofits with our students, programs and facilities.
Allows CMU to bring the community together in a shared experience.
Allows CMU to bring world-class performances and touring groups to western Colorado.
Establishes CMU as the premier cultural arts center in western Colorado.

Cultivating talent

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and CMU alumnus, Kalani Pe'a, uses his talents to harness the power of the arts.

"Being a student at CMU was amazing, to learn from my peers and profressors. I believe in the music department and the program and I believe in the education. I'm using my degree today!"
- Kalani Pe'a

A larger and more up-to-date space would increase opportunities for myself and other students and give us the ability to hone our craft and to be as prepared as possible to make a difference through art once we graduate.

Isa Sanchez

Music Theatre and Psychology major
Grand Junction, CO

The arts have been proven to improve community connectiveness and to lower crime rates in an area. The [arts] prompt introspection and inspire beauty and consideration of social justice issues. The arts changes lives and perspective for the participants and the viewers.

Malinda Lyon

Dance major
Olympia, WA