Boulder prides itself on its arts scene, but the city has long suffered from a lack of low-cost performance space. Enter The Spark, a performing arts venue founded by locals Dillon Kenyon and Marla Schulz in 2019 to offer an outlet for creatives.
“We wanted to provide an affordable space for artists,” Kenyon explained during a recent facilities tour with Boulder Weekly. “I met so many artists working side jobs or teaching [who] could not afford to make their own art because Boulder is so expensive. This was before COVID, and the Dairy Center was always full, so we decided to take matters into our own hands.”
They eventually settled on a building just off Foothills Parkway on east Pearl Street to house rentable art space. The location eliminated the need for travelers to drive through downtown Boulder, which was important for Kenyon and Schulz since they hoped to attract clients from all over Boulder County and Denver.
“When we took over, it was a huge warehouse with no walls or bathrooms — it was just one big room,” Kenyon recalls. “Our goal was to make the space as neutral as possible … we host everything from youth theater to burlesque. We are willing to do whatever you want as long as you are respectful, help us clean and pay the rent.”
Warehouse to wonderland
Their first major project was obtaining a $20,000 grant from the City of Boulder to install gender-neutral restrooms, which Fenyon says wasn’t enough to cover the entire construction cost, but was “a nice start.” From there, they transformed the warehouse into a functional arts venue, complete with two dance studios and a flexible 100-seat theater space.
“All of the rentable spaces have sprung floors designed so dancers can practice and perform without injury,” Kenyon says. “We have noticed that houses in Boulder are rarely full for shows, so The Spark is an ideal size because it is not too big, making selling out a realistic possibility.”
The Spark has become a hub for a variety of arts organizations, including Boulder Performing Arts Co., The Dance Front and Synthesis Theatre Company. Additionally, independent artists and smaller organizations use the space for rehearsals and performances.
“We typically work with 20 to 50 organizations at a time,” Kenyon says. “It varies, but we have a lot of repeat renters who love the flexibility and affordability of our space. Summers had been relatively slow, but we now have a large number of people using our space, which is fantastic, so we reduced our programming to make more room for other organizations.”
In addition to renting space, The Spark stages its own theater productions, where students perform alongside experienced professionals who serve as mentors. This mentorship model allows students of all ages — from middle schoolers to adults — to learn directly from active theater artists, bridging the gap between educational and professional theater.
The organization recently announced its 2024-2025 season, which includes Carrie: The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Eurydice, Cinderella and The Prom. All of these shows will feature both children and adult mentors working side by side. Mentors are paid or volunteer, and students pay flexible tuition based on their financial situation.
“The Spark is not for everybody; not every adult wants to help coach teenagers, but the people who do love it,” Kenyon says. “We stop to break things down, and the adults talk about their process, which bumps up the quality of the productions, so they don’t feel like youth theater.”
‘It costs a lot to be here’
Despite successful shows, The Spark faces steep operational challenges. The organization pays $12,000 per month in rent ($144,000 per year), accounting for roughly half of its $300,000 annual operating budget. The building owner suspended rent payments during the peak of the pandemic and forgave half of the accumulated rent, which they are still working to repay.
“We move a lot of money, and as a nonprofit, we have to be open about it, but it costs a lot to be here,” Kenyon says. “That’s the reality, and our taxes went up 62% last year, so that’s an extra $1,000 a month. We’re making it work because that’s the cost of doing business in Boulder.”
In addition to these financial hurdles, The Spark also faces a major obstacle when it comes to marketing.
“Our biggest challenge has been getting people to believe that we’re a legit place,” Kenyon says. “When a new business starts, there is always the question of whether it will survive, so the most difficult part has been getting the word out so people know who we are.”
Looking ahead, The Spark hopes to secure additional grants — including critical dollars from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, a taxpayer-supported funding mechanism serving seven Front Range counties, for which they are now eligible. Current needs include upgrades to equipment and infrastructure like outdoor signage and website improvements.
“My number one goal is to become financially stable, so we can pay everyone what they are worth and allow anyone to participate without worrying about money,” Kenyon says. “We aren’t there yet, but that’s the dream — the team is working hard to make it a reality.”
For more on The Spark’s upcoming productions, classes and camps, visit thesparkcreates.org.