DCPA names new chief

The Board of Trustees of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has named Scott Shiller as its new president and chief executive officer. Daniel Ritchie, who has served as both CEO and chairman of the board of trustees since 2007, will continue as chairman.

Shiller comes to the DCPA from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami where he served as executive vice president since 2007. At the Arsht Center, he oversaw major programming and marketing initiatives, which in his first year, led to a $3.3 million turnaround with a growth in average ticket sales from 43 to 70 percent and a 76 percent increase in attendance. Under his leadership, the Center’s programming continued to experience broad growth and now includes more than 500 public performances, nearly 900 ancillary events and more than 500,000 guests each year. He is committed to the creation of new work and has presented 12 world premiere plays and musicals at the Arsht Center.

As CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Shiller will work collaboratively to achieve the DCPA’s mission — to be the most engaging theater organization in the nation. At the core of this goal is a renewed focus on all of the DCPA’s audiences. “The community’s appetite for and support of theater makes Denver audiences among the best in the country,” Shiller said. “I am extremely excited to be a part of, learn from and contribute to the DCPA’s next evolution as it connects artists and audiences together.

“I’m excited to join such a robust arts community. The NEA recently ranked Colorado first in the nation in theater, concert hall and museum attendance, and the DCPA plays a major part in that success. Its reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent arts organizations coupled with its commitment to new works and national tour launches makes Denver and Colorado the envy of writers, directors and artists around the country. I’m excited to add fuel to the engine as the DCPA cements its position as a national leader.”

“Scott joins us at a pivotal time in the DCPA’s history,” Ritchie said. “Following an extensive analysis of our priorities, our emphasis will be on deepening and enriching relationships with our entire community. Scott’s leadership will enable me to focus on board matters and reauthorization of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in 2016.”

Prior to the Arsht Center, Shiller presented and produced shows in major cities across the country, serving as vice president of programming at The Chicago Theatre and LA’s Kodak Theatre, director of programming and engagement manager at Boston’s On the Line Company, and as theater and Marketing manager for Broadway in Boston. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College in 1997 and was named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. His civic involvement has been considerable: he’s served as chairman of The Carbonell Awards and The Rosie Herrera Committee; served as an active member of The Broadway League, Tony Awards, Sylvester Cancer Gala and Edinburgh Fringe Festival and supported a number of local and national charities.

“The DCPA leadership has created a strong foundation for continued artistic success,” Shiller said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

A complete biography may be found at www.denvercenter.org/scott-shiller.