The Neenan Company completed the Mapleton Arts Center for the Mapleton Public Schools for students in Denver, Colorado.

The MAC’s design is tailored to the unique needs of Mapleton’s robust performing arts program, with offerings that span the full spectrum: drama, orchestra, band, choir, color guard, mariachi and jazz band. Designed specifically to provide local students with an introduction to the Broadway experience, The MAC’s features rival that of a professional theater:

• Separate classrooms for each program. Each individual room provides a distinct feel, while maintaining a common thread to tie together the building and its purpose.
• 900-seat auditorium for performances/large district-wide events.
• Outdoor stage opening into the campus plaza for summer performances/events.
• A plethora of practice space for students to hone their craft before graduating to the main stage, including a Blackbox theater, individual practice rooms and recording studio.
• A catwalk, loading dock, dressing rooms, control room, storage and ticketing booth expose students to the back-of-house support services experience.
• Professional-grade acoustics.
• Separate student and public entries.
• Large two-story lobby/auditorium entrance.
• Administrative space onsite ensures the academic and operational elements needed for a successful educational experience are incorporated into the performing arts programming.

Neenan’s integrated design-build model made possible a performing arts center of this caliber. Upfront planning among the architecture and construction project leads allowed the team to pivot as needed throughout the various phases. This blend of expertise and collaboration delivers a powerful process, enabling the team to meet the timeline, budget and, most importantly, deliver a project with lasting impact.

Design: The Neenan Company
Photography: Michael Robinson