Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver

The Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC), also known as the "Arts Complex" or "The Plex," is a premier cultural hub located in Downtown Denver. Spanning a four-block, 12-acre site, it is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States, both in terms of the number of venues and overall seating capacity. The DPAC is renowned for being the largest complex of its kind under one roof, with its ten performance spaces accommodating over 10,000 seats, all connected by an impressive 80-foot-tall glass roof.

DPAC is home to a variety of performing arts organizations, including the Colorado Ballet, Colorado Symphony, Opera Colorado, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). The DCPA, which is the largest tenant of the complex, operates several of the theaters within the Helen G. Bonfils Theatre Complex and is known for its professional theater company and extensive range of performances, including Broadway musical tours, contemporary dance, opera, and pop concerts.

The complex's history dates back to the vision of Donald Seawell, who dreamed of establishing a world-class arts venue in Denver. Groundbreaking for the complex began in December 1974, and it has since grown to include several key theaters: the Boettcher Concert Hall (opened in 1978), the revamped Auditorium Theatre and the Helen G. Bonfils Theatre Complex (1979), the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre (1991), the Seawell Grand Ballroom (1998), and the Conservatory Theatre (2002).

Today, the DPAC stands as a testament to Denver's vibrant cultural scene, offering year-round performances that span a wide range of genres, from musicals and drama to cabaret and improv. Its strategic location across from the Colorado Convention Center and its proximity to other downtown attractions make it a central fixture in the city's artistic and social life.