History of Bas Bleu Theatre

The Little Theatre That Could

  • 1910

    The Giddings’ Western Steel Headgate Company was erected in 1910 by Frank Giddings. The company made large control gates for irrigation systems, specifically for the sugar beet industry.

  • July 14, 1992

    On Bastille Day in 1992 Wendy Ishii and Eva Wright founded Bas Bleu Theatre Company. Friends shared conversation and inspiration, discussing the idea of a literary salon where community could come together to discuss arts, theatre, music and more.

  • March 1993

    The flagship theatre opened at 216 Pine Street in Old Town, Fort Collins, Colorado. The old storefront was renovated into a 49-seat theatre.

  • October 1994

    Bas Bleu Theatre produced Fort Collin’s premiere production of Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape” and “Happy Days.”

  • 2003

    Bas Bleu Theatre had outgrown their first home, needing to expand onward and upward. In 2003 the $1.5M capital campaign began to purchase and renovate the historic Giddings Building at the corner of Pine and Willow Streets into a 99-seat theatre and lobby art gallery. This building sits in the historic heart of the community very close to the site of the original Fort Collins and the beautiful Cache La Poudre River.

  • 1992-2004

    Bas Bleu Theatre hosted over 460 events, 1,075 performances, and over 36,000 patrons in the first twelve years of business.

  • 2004

    The Giddings Building, located in the arts and culture district today known as “Beet Street” is renovated, turning from producing augers to actors in 102 days. Bas Bleu Theatre opens with “Angels in America” by Tony Kushner in a community-wide collaborative project with OpenStage Theatre, Colorado State University Theatre Program and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

  • 2009

    Bas Bleu Theatre entered a unique ten-year private/public partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, receiving $220,000 to provide rent-free space to the public. First of its kind model that could help cities nationwide to sustain the arts

  • 2010

    Bas Bleu Theatre Company Agency Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado is established. This fund grows overtime to ensure Bas Bleu Theatre continues to thrive.

  • 2011

    Colorado Economic Development Commission approved Bas Bleu’s proposal for the Enterprise Zone Project, encouraging job creation and providing additional tax incentives for our donors.

  • The historic Giddings Building at the corner of Pine and Willow Streets

    2012

    Bas Bleu Theatre successfully completed Phase 1 of the Capital Campaign, a feat showing broad donor and public support. Celebrated with a “Burn the Mortgage” party for all who helped achieve this goal.  

  • 2022

    Bas Bleu Theatre celebrates its 30th Season. In the past thirty years Bas Bleu has won more than 100 local, national and international awards for its work and produce, performed or exhibited countless events and performances. Bas Bleu has become a community leader in initiating and fostering collaborative projects with local, regional, national and international arts, civic and educational organizations.