The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts Records

Breaking ground in October 2000, the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts was constructed in about one and a half (1.5) years, with the Certificate of Occupancy being issued in March 2003. An 180,000 square-foot building, it is acclaimed as one of the nation's finest university arts centers. An Administrative unit of the University of Denver, the Newman Center initially reported to the Division of Intellectual Property and Events (IP and E) under the Direction of John Coombe. The first Executive Director, Stephen Seifert, was hired on July 1, 2002, and the first Newman Center staff were hired in Fiscal Year 2003. As the first residents of the building, the Lamont School of Music held its grand opening events for the Virginia E. Trevorrow Hall in August 2002. In 2005 (approximately) IP and E was renamed the Division of University Events, and this unit was under the direction of Rodney Smith. Additional grand opening events for the various components within the Newman Center were held as follows: the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall (a concert and grand opera hall) - April 25, 2003; the Elizabeth Eriksen Byron Theatre - May 2003; the Frederic C. Hamilton Family Recital Hall - June 2003. The Inauguration of the William K. Coors Organ occurred in October 2003. The Joy Burns Plaza rounds out the components of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. In 2009, when the University dissolved the Division of University Events, the Newman Center became a stand-alone unit reporting directly to the Office of the Provost. In addition to showcasing performances of the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music and the Department of Theatre, the Center's various performance halls also serve as venues for various local, national, and international organizations and performing artists, including performers in the University's own Newman Center Presents multi-disciplinary series.