The University of Colorado, Boulder has announced a $5 million gift from alumna Roe Green ('70) in support of the theater program.

The largest gift ever to the Department of Theatre & Dance includes $2 million in support of an acoustic overhaul of the current University Theatre space, which will be renamed the Roe Green Theatre; $1.5 million to establish and endow a scholarship fund for theater students, including performers, stage managers, lighting designers, directors, and other supporting roles; and $1 million to create and endow a fund to support longer-term renovations, ongoing maintenance, and enhancements to the theater. The remaining $500,000 will endow innovative "launch" programming designed to propel senior theater students to the next stage in their career, including opportunities to travel to cities like New York or Los Angeles for professional auditions, showcases, festivals, or conferences.

A longtime supporter of the arts at the university, Green previously established the Roe Green Theatre Artist Residency Program and the theater department's first endowed faculty chair.

"I like to joke that it's not a renovation but a Roe-novation," said Erika Randall, chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance. "The Roe Green Theatre will house world-class theater and dance and will be a transformative space for generations of students who are deeply invested in transforming the arts and refining their creativity. We are deeply grateful for Roe and believe that her passion for the arts will forever spark future student learning."

"Theater and the performing arts make us human," said Green. "This is how we pass on what we know."