http://www.westword.com/2009-12-10/calendar/su-teatro-goes-home/   http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_14428884?source=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-entertainment+%28Denver+Post%3A+Entertainment%29   November 26, 2012 Denver City Council supported Su Teatro in a 9-1 vote to Su Teatro to close the books on their old property at 215 S. Santa Fe Drive, and to consolidate resources in order to continue to provide service to the Denver community through the long term operation of the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center (the Denver Civic Theatre) at 721 Santa Fe Drive. Below is the text from Su Teatro Executive Artistic Director Tony Garcia’s presentation to City Council.   Thank you Council members and OED — Paul Washington, John Lucero and Theresa Montoya — and I especially applaud Mayor Michael Hancock for getting us to this point in resolving this matter.   It has been a long journey, from that moment when I received that call from former Mayor Hickenlooper. My first reaction, when they told me he was on the line, was to wonder if I was trouble.   What he offered was an incredible but important opportunity. His offer was essentially to trade our warehouse building at 215 S. Santa Fe where we had been conducting programming, and to take over the Denver Civic Theatre, which had been vacant and was developing a reputation for quick changes in ownership.   Hickenlooper believed the Denver Civic Theatre to be an important community and economic asset for the city and crucial to the development of the Santa Fe arts corridor. He felt it was vital to activate the Denver Civic Theatre as quickly and aggressively as possible.   I sat in a meeting with the Jeff Rhomine from OED and Jeff Steinberg from the Division of Real Estate, and upon conclusion, the then Mayor turned to me and said,  “You have your marching orders.”   Three administrations later, we found it was more complicated to follow those orders than we had thought. Now with your support we can move forward. But let me take a moment to tell you what we have done to follow our initial task of building a regional cultural and performing arts center, which is what we set out to do at 215 S. Santa Fe Drive.   Su Teatro moved to the Denver Civic Theatre and began programming in February 2010, and in the first 10 weeks hosted or presented over 50 activities; in its first year at the Denver Civic Theatre, Su Teatro hosted more than 300 activities.   Since we have been in the Denver Civic Theatre we have hosted more than 500 activities. Through a series of collaborations, the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center has provided a regional home for Latino programming, bringing events ranging from the world renowned Los Pleneros de la Veinte Una, to a debate featuring Ask a Mexican’s Gustavo Arellano and Tom Tancredo.   It has also created a home for a poly-cultural list of groups such as Shadow Theatre, Stories on Stage, Phamaly (Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League), the Lighthouse Writers, The Source Theatre, Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids and the International Indigenous Film and Arts Festival and a long list of small and mid-size performers. For instance, two Saturdays ago we had six theatrical performances, three in each of our theatres, all while our company was performing in Grand Junction. The performance brought more than 1,200 people through our doors, and to the arts district. Su Teatro has also worked with many community non-arts organizations in order to host their activities as well as performances for school groups and families.   Su Teatro serves as an anchor for the Arts District on Santa Fe’s economic activities. Su Teatro activities draw thousands of people to the arts district, above and beyond First Fridays. Restaurants, stores and galleries benefit from the additional traffic that our programming creates. Since Su Teatro moved into the Denver Civic Theatre activities rose from zero to 40-45 weeks annually of programming. Su Teatro collaborates, Su Teatro innovates and Su Teatro activates.   Su Teatro provides, through the Cultural Education Institute, in-school and after school programs that include performances, workshops and residency activities with guest artists. We work with schools throughout the Metro area including, neighbors such as the Denver Inner City Parish, New Generations School at West High School and Kunsmiller Arts Academy. As I watch the students take the stage and begin to transform, I ask why not? Why can’t our kids tell their stories, hear about their ancestors and walk out with their heads held high?   Su Teatro is a Latino arts organization, and that is what we know and that is what we program, but a funny thing happened on the way to multiculturalism: we became a place where all cultures come together, where everyone is welcome and everyone shares space.   I grew up in segregated Denver, not too long ago. I remember when there were certain places you didn’t walk, certain stores you didn’t shop, certain things you couldn’t dream. In 40 years, our journey has taken us from the margins to the mainstage, and the opportunity to represent Denver to the outside world by being present in the heart of the city. El Corazon de la Ciudad. Every day we approach our work and our relationships, with the knowledge that we were asked to take on this task. It has been a daunting task, transforming our organization and our community. More than anything Su Teatro is a homegrown product, we bear those scars and badges. We are from Denver and carry that everywhere we go. We have worked diligently to carry out our charge and are honored to be in this position. As always we have endeavored to bring pride to our community. Once again I thank you for bringing us to this point. This process will be a tremendous step in allowing us to move forward.