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After a two-year renovation as part of the��Hellems project, the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre is ready to welcome audiences back. Long a centerpiece of 91��ý’s cultural life, the theatre has hosted generations of performances and remains home to the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, founded in 1958 and now the nation’s second‑longest‑running Shakespeare festival. Its reopening comes during 91��ý’s 150th anniversary year, connecting this milestone to a broader celebration of the university’s history, growth and enduring impact.

“Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s return to Mary Rippon is an exciting moment for CU Presents and for our entire community,” said Andrew Metzroth, executive director of CU Presents. “We are thrilled to welcome audiences back to this iconic venue and to launch a new season of performances that celebrate storytelling, connection and shared experience under the Colorado sky.”

�ճ���� returns to the newly renovated Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre beginning June 7 with Shakespeare’s comedy��"Twelfth Night."

Updates to the space focused on improving accessibility, including upgraded restrooms, new indoor and outdoor gathering areas and better ADA access and seating. These improvements are woven thoughtfully into the building’s historic character, preserving its identity while enhancing its function. The project also restores historic elements and ensures the theatre can serve students, performers and the community for decades to come.

The reopening honors the legacy of Mary Rippon. In 1878, she became CU’s first female professor, and one of the first women in the nation to teach at a state university. During her more than 30 years at CU, she earned deep respect from students and colleagues alike. In 1936, the university dedicated the outdoor theatre in her name, recognizing her lasting impact on the arts and humanities.

The reopening marks not just the return of performances, but also a renewed investment in the arts and humanities, which are core to the university’s mission and student experience.

“The Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre has always been a place where ideas, creativity and community come together,” said Daryl Maeda, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Its reopening ensures that students, performers and audiences can continue to experience the power of the arts in a setting that honors our history while supporting the future of learning.”

Photo by Steve Wiesenthal