Seawell Ballroom Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Downtown Denver's place to party throws a bash of its own April 24

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 23, 2018//

Seawell Ballroom Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Downtown Denver's place to party throws a bash of its own April 24

ColoradoBiz Staff //April 23, 2018//

On April 24, the Seawell Ballroom will throw itself a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the downtown event space. The extravaganza promises to be an unforgettable experience, as the events team, part of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) offers extensive expertise from working on more than 200 events each year. In fact, the Seawell Ballroom was built because theatre-goers and others needed a place to throw a bash. 

"The Seawell Ballroom was added to the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex in 1998 to accmomdate DCPA's need for an event venue. [Those include] pre-show dinners, receptions, opening night events and of course, our largest fundraiser, Saturday Night Alive, which last year netted over $1 million." –Dawn Williams, DCPA director of event sales and marketing

The 10,000-square-foot ballroom, built on the top floor of the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, is named after Donald R. Seawell, the late founder of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex (DPAC). Seawell, who came to work every day until his passing at the age of 103, envisioned and shepherded the multi-theatre complex in 1972. Today, the 12-acre complex is the heart of the Theatre District and houses 10,500 seats in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Buell Theater and Boettcher Concert Hall. More than 800,000 visitors each year attend performances of the Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony, Broadway tours and the DCPA Theatre Company.

While those theaters are known for presenting celebrated productions throughout the year, the Seawell Ballroom is where festivities take place. The events include everything from weddings to corporate events to fundraisers. The staff is not only well-versed in handling the most obscure details (think aerial dancers, floating DJ booths, themed weddings) but also has kept up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies.

"The biggest change in recent years is the demand for a perfectly produced event with complex technological needs," Williams says. "We continuously learn about current trends in event production and devote a lot of resources to using the best audio and visual products available."

The Seawell Ballroom was remodeled in 2014, which included new carpeting, new chairs, LED lights and other upgrades. The venue has customized LED lighting and moving lights with more than 250 fixtures, a theatrical-grade line array sound system, HD formatted screens with 20,000 lumen HD video projectors and more. The giant windows overlook Longs Peak, LoDo, The Highlands and the Speer Bridge.

Guests of The Seawell can even check catering off their list, as Epicurean Catering provides all food and beverage as the exclusive caterer of DCPA. The Seawell Ballroom can accommodate groups from 50 to 945 thanks to the flexible space and theatrical drapery.

For smaller gatherings, there is the more intimate Directors Room just downstairs from The Seawell. The 1,600-square-foot space includes flexible seating options: meals for up to 60, receptions up to 150. The room is ideally situated for everything from a corporate meeting with a PowerPoint presentation to a private pre-show event where attendees can then attend a production in the adjacent Stage Theater.

Williams says DCPA's event management team has doubled in the past four years. 

"We are ready for just about any challenge thrown our way, and we love what we do."