In order to program a safe and meaningful 2021 limited-season, Boulder Opera has recently partnered with The Spark—a robust performance and educational space located in the heart of Boulder. We decided to interview none other than Dillon Kenyon, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Spark, to gain insight into what The Spark is all about, and how they have championed an out-of-the-box approach for safe live-performances in the Boulder community.
Boulder Opera Company: I just want to start out by saying, thanks for taking the interview, and we are obviously looking forward to getting to know you.
Dillon Kenyon: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. We're happy to have you guys and happy to spread the word.
BOC: Awesome. Give me just a little bit of background about yourself, Dillon, and how you ended up in Boulder and how The Spark came to be.
Dillon: So I ended up in Boulder in 2012 because my parents live at Chautauqua, so we decided to move out here as I grew up in Southern California. I have a master's degree in social work that I got in Boston. I went back to California and worked at a small private boarding school there. I did everything from living in the dorms to creating a performing arts program for their summer programs where I was the assistant director. So I've, I have that kind of management style sort of thing.
BOC: Wow.
Dillon: I've done a lot of youth theater as a director. When I was a director for private schools, I directed here in Boulder for Rocky Mountain theater for kids, and then in Boston, I directed for the Watertown children's theater. I did a lot of that while I was in grad school. So I've, I've always been in the theater and I've always done it. I like working with people and very much like being a collaborator, a people person. Then I had this mental health background as well, which I love because I think it kind of gives me balance. So that's kind of my, my background.
BOC: You have quite an extensive background. And it's, I think it's really cool that you have the synthesis of the psychology and the arts. Could you talk about how the synthesis of the arts and psychology manifests itself in your career?
Dillon: Yeah, totally. I think it has a huge aspect on how I work, how I interact with people and how I am as a director. So, I'm definitely more of a, like, let's get all on an even playing field, throw out ideas, and then I help people manifest things. I like bringing out people's strengths. That is definitely my psychology/social work background.
BOC: That makes sense. You know, that really seems like a great strength of yours. I think that's a very unique cocktail, so to speak, to have. If I could just transfer over, I want to know what is The Spark and why Boulder?
Dillon: I founded it with my friend Marla. We created the spark for two reasons. There's a huge need for space in Boulder. And we saw that need, and we thought this is awesome because we also wanted the ability to have a space where we could do what we wanted to do.
So I was, you know, I've worked for a lot of people and I've really enjoyed and really learned. And I was like, it's time for me to be able to be like, This is mine. Let's do this now. Um, so kind of those two things, it came together. Um, it's really important to me that we create a space that's affordable because I see people coming into Boulder that are artists and want to do their work, but it's too expensive. And so artists can't make money. They have to do a class if they're teaching like a dance class and they have to charge each person $20 an hour, but it costs $80 an hour to rent the space. They're making like 10 bucks, like that's not okay. But right now there's such a huge need. So I'd say we are definitely a community space. We are definitely a collaborative space or a space where people get to come in and say, hey, this is what I need. And it's our job to try to help you do that.
BOC: I mean, it's clear. I agree with you, there's room in this market and in this landscape for more art venues and more art programmers. You're such an accessible venue for all of the demand here, which is really unique. So, a follow-up to that question is, what kind of programming is at The Spark? What kinds of concerts and activities do you have planned?
Dillon: So our programming, which I love too, like it's very equal. Our programming is a hybrid of community theater, professional theater and an educational program for students—like high school or middle school students that are looking to do this in college or professionally. So we put on and we put on musicals, that's who we are, we're musical people. Another thing is we create more jobs. We pay our actors to perform with us and be mentors and teach these students who really want to do it too. So that's kind of our programming. We offer some dance classes. We offer some, um, music classes. We offer some acting classes, but the, you know, the big chunk of it is this hybrid musical format. People understand the importance of building a community, which then is reflected at The Spark where we're giving artists the opportunity to do that, within our space.
BOC: That's amazing. It speaks to, you know, your investment and your determination, which I love. So you mentioned the pandemic. Everyone wants to know this, you know, fellow organizations, future patrons: How did you adapt to continue operating during the pandemic when it first hit and what specific safety protocols have you implemented to accommodate live performances?
Dillon: We're lucky because of the garage doors in our theater space. So that like in itself has been a lifesaver. So the garage doors are open on either side of the stage and they can open all the way completely. There's a garage door on the side of the house as well, and there's also a garage door backstage. So even our backstage is not completely closed in. Then we built risers to be put outside the sides of the stage. So instead of it being a proscenium, it's now a thrust. So you can put the audience on two sides and those audience are actually sitting outside.
Soon, we will also have tents. So we have not tested this yet, but you see them at the restaurants. Then for our shows, we seat people socially distanced. We put everybody in groups like their own household groups. And then we actually went and put the chairs in and with a measuring tape, measured where the next group would be six feet away, etc. So not only are audience members socially distanced, but the doors are open. So it's like you're sitting outside. We also have heaters because it's cold and it's Colorado. So we got space heaters, and then there's a heater that goes right over the audience, which is really nice. We also sell blankets and beanies. So if you're really cold, we have blankets. And then of course we have like oodles of hand sanitizer and we have a professional cleaning crew that comes in as well. Not to mention—you can safely watch our concerts from home! We have high-speed internet available for live-streaming concerts! Presenters can wireless connect to our system or plug in directly (we have a direct plug/outlet in the theater). We are happy to connect anyone with the company we work with for streaming purposes. At the end of the day, what's most important is to have ventilation and make sure everybody is masked.
BOC: We are thankful to see your venue go above and beyond in accommodating for health and safety guidelines for patrons and audience members.
Dillon: Yes, we did five shows this year and not a single one of them had a COVID case. There was not a single one. So, we're pretty confident in how we're doing it and we will remain extremely vigilant, you know, in that way. So that's our theater space.
BOC: Wow. Extremely reassuring. It's just like really nice to hear you guys going the extra mile and being very entrepreneurial about how to go about doing this safely. Thank you for doing that as a community member. So, this next one is a funny question. I know you said you like opera and musicals. We have three different productions coming up with you guys. Between The Marriage of Figaro, L’enfant Et Les Sortilèges, and Puss in Boots, what is your favorite and what are you most excited to see?
Dillon: That's a good question. I haven't seen a ton of opera, but I know, I know some of the music, um, like Puss in Boots. I have children of my own, and I love theater for youth. So I love the story. But, Figaro, man, that's hard to beat that one. I think I'm going with The Marriage of Figaro.
BOC: Well that's perfect because that's the one coming up most soon in March. So that's a great answer! Well, final question: Do you have any tips for our audience to help maximize their concert experience?
Dillon: Well, it's Colorado. I would say dress in layers. Our heaters do help a lot, so I would say just be prepared. Think of it more as an outdoor theater experience. When you're inside and you're actually warmer, it's not as cold. But I think it's a pretty great experience for the audience. All of our patrons that came were so happy to come in and they're like, I love it. It feels so safe because you know, the tall ceilings, lots of air moving around. So they feel safe there, which is important.
BOC: I think that's a great way to cap it off because I feel like it's a testament to the safety that you guys are upholding and prioritizing, in addition to, as you've just gone over so beautifully, all of the things that your organization and venue is doing to really help keep the arts alive here in Boulder—especially in such a time of need. So I just want to thank you again for your time.
Dillon: We're just really happy to have you guys there.
BOC: Well, thank you so much. Thank you Dillon, for your time and for your ability to host us and help us facilitate our mission to bring opera to Boulder.
Dillon: Awesome. Thank you. Nice to talk with you!
If you are interested in attending our first production at The Spark—The Marriage of Figaro—you can learn more here or buy tickets below: