Lakewood Theatre | Lakewood

Here is a comprehensive and detailed profile of the Lakewood Theatre scene, specifically focusing on the Lakewood Cultural Center and, to a relevant extent, the Lakewood Theatre Company, which although based in Oregon (Lake Oswego), is often confused with Lakewood’s local arts organizations. The following details apply to Lakewood, Colorado:

🎭 Lakewood Cultural Center (LCC) – Lakewood, Colorado

📍 Location and General Description

Address: 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226

The center is centrally located in the Belmar district, just southwest of downtown Denver. It's easily accessible by major roads and public transit.

Opened: In 2000, designed by the City of Lakewood to be a state-of-the-art facility for both professional and community-based cultural programming.

Size: The Cultural Center covers approximately 38,000 square feet.

The facility integrates performance, visual arts, education, and community space under one roof, making it a multipurpose destination for cultural engagement.

🏟️ Performance Space

Main Theater:

Seating Capacity: Approximately 320 seats in a classic proscenium-style configuration.

Stage: Full theatrical stage with fly tower, backstage green rooms, lighting grid, professional-grade audio, and video projection systems.

The design provides excellent acoustics, ideal sightlines from every seat, and a versatile layout to accommodate various performance genres-from symphonic concerts to black-box theatre.

Additional Spaces:

Rehearsal rooms, dance studios, and classrooms are used for performing arts education and community programming.

Art galleries in the lobby and side rooms regularly host curated exhibitions featuring both local and national visual artists.

🎟️ Programming & Events

Lakewood Cultural Center operates with a robust and diverse programming calendar, typically including:

Professional Series:

Touring performances in music, theater, and dance, often in collaboration with national and international performers.

Shows include jazz ensembles, chamber orchestras, modern dance troupes, Broadway-style musicals, storytelling series, and global music acts.

Local & Regional Productions:

Performances by local theater companies, schools, dance schools, and civic groups.

Common features include community musicals, ballet recitals, high school concerts, and independent film festivals.

Visual Arts:

Rotating exhibits of sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, and mixed media by Colorado-based and national artists.

Juried exhibitions and cultural showcases often occur in tandem with live events.

Educational and Family Programs:

Youth theater and music camps, especially during spring and summer breaks.

Workshops, lectures, and artist talks designed for school groups, adult learners, and seniors.

School matinee series connecting students with live performance and arts curriculum.

🧾 Services & Amenities

Box Office: Open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (extended hours on performance days).

Concessions and Lobby Café: Available during events, with snacks and beverages for sale.

Accessibility: ADA-compliant seating, assistive listening devices, wheelchair access, and captioned performances offered regularly.

Venue Rentals: Available for private rentals including corporate events, weddings, music recitals, and lectures.

👥 Staff & Community Engagement

The center is operated by the City of Lakewood’s Heritage, Culture & Arts Division.

Staff includes professional arts managers, curators, production crew, and teaching artists.

A vibrant volunteer program supports front-of-house operations, including ushering and gallery docent work.

Cultural outreach is directed toward underserved communities, including seniors, immigrants, and low-income youth.

🎨 Signature Programs

Performing Arts Series: An annual calendar curated by the city’s arts team, featuring marquee performances and collaborations with Denver-area companies.

INSPIRE Arts Week Lakewood: A city-wide celebration held each May featuring dozens of events at the Cultural Center and other locations.

ArtLine: A public art initiative including murals and sculpture installations supported by the Center.

Family Fun Days and Art Drop-In: Free and low-cost activities for children and families on weekends and school holidays.

💬 Summary

The Lakewood Cultural Center serves as the heart of performing and visual arts in Lakewood, Colorado. Its mission is rooted in accessibility, education, and artistic excellence. With a balanced offering of professional touring acts, community productions, youth education, and visual arts exhibitions, the venue stands as a cultural pillar for residents and visitors alike.

It offers:

A technologically advanced 320-seat theater

A gallery and studio infrastructure that supports year-round multidisciplinary arts

Deep engagement with both local communities and professional circuits

A family-friendly, inclusive atmosphere grounded in civic arts and culture

This space does not overlap with Lakewood Theatre Company in Oregon, but rather reflects Colorado’s local arts values-a mix of professionalism, regional expression, and lifelong learning through the arts.