CU bardfest breaks all-time box-office record in 2014

By Clay Evans

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, a professional theater company at the University of Colorado Boulder, surpassed its all-time record for gross box-office receipts during its critically praised 57th season.

We as a team are immensely proud of the work we did this season and the course we are on for the future as we approach our 60th season in 2017."With $831,155 in total ticket sales, the festival exceeded its revenue goals for 2014 by 9.5 percent and crossed the $800,000 line for the first time in its history. The season also marks milestones for the indoor University Theatre and iconic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, both of which broke records for gross ticket sales.

“We as a team are immensely proud of the work we did this season and the course we are on for the future as we approach our 60th season in 2017,” says Producing Artistic Director Timothy Orr, who was appointed in 2014 after serving as interim director in 2013.

For the second season in a row, CSF anticipates finishing the season solidly in the black, including a contribution to the College of Arts and Sciences in recognition of its continuing support. (Final numbers won’t be available until after private donations are tallied at the end of the festival’s fiscal year on Dec. 31.)

“The college is very happy about the outcome of last season. We're already looking forward to next season, and beyond to the 60th anniversary,” says Steven Leigh, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Tim Orr's leadership has been a key part of our success, including contributing significantly to our academic mission.”

 “We are so fortunate to be part of this university and pleased to be able to contribute to CU’s mission of educating students,” Orr says. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, patrons and the university for supporting us as we continue to explore Shakespeare’s relevance to the modern world through innovative and entertaining productions. And this is truly a team effort; everyone on our hard-working staff deserves credit.”

The festival will publicly announce its exciting 2015 lineup on Nov. 2 at coloradoshakes.org, with season tickets going on sale Nov. 3.

Started in 1958, CSF has produced the entire Shakespeare once and is closing in on the rare feat of completing it twice. CSF also produces classic works by playwrights old and new, from “To Kill a Mockingbird” to 2014’s smash hit, “I Hate Hamlet.”

Clay Evans is director of public relations for CU Presents.

Sept. 24, 2014