The Debut Of The Asteria: CMU's New Theater Is A Big Deal

Photos courtesy of Colorado Mesa University

This fall, something big is opening on the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) campus. Not only is the new CMU theater literally big, but it signifies big things ahead for CMU students, faculty and the greater Grand Junction community.

According to Robin Brown, CMU vice president for development and CEO of the CMU Foundation, the new 860-seat Astoria Theatre is a “world-class” facility. “There’s nothing like it in our region,” she explains, emphasizing its stateof-the-art technology and design, and its ability to host traveling Broadway shows alongside CMU productions, local music, dance and theater and national touring acts.

Asteria is Greek for “the stars.” In Greek mythology, Asteria was a Titan goddess, ruling over the constellations and shooting stars. “The name was chosen to align with CMU values that inspire us to look towards humanity’s highest ideals and to bridge divides through the collective experience of live performance,” as shared in a statement from CMU.

While most people will experience only the theater’s front of house, with a capacity of 860 seats on three levels and the largest stage between Denver and Salt Lake City, the theater’s back of house is extra special. The theater has two loading docks, an expansive set design studio with a paint booth, a filtration system, 20 power drops from the ceiling for power tools and room to construct one full set, while another is being used on the stage.

“Every time we bring in theater tech students, they are blown away by what is behind and above the stage. They can’t believe there are stairs to the catwalk,” laughs Brown.

Other behind-the-scenes features include numerous dressing rooms, of varying size and luxury, and many bathrooms to accommodate all the personnel involved in a production.

For the audience chamber and other public spaces, the architect chose a desert theme, inspired by the Western Colorado environment. The terrazzo floor in the lobby features the Colorado and Gunnison River confluence, while a three-story “great wall” is made of sandstone. Inside the theater, light emanates between the boxes, reminiscent of desert slot canyons, while on the exterior flyhouse, the large multistory box above the stage, tiny LED lights are embedded to look like stars at night.

While all of these features will please the theater-going public, the facility’s most important role remains educational. “It’s a teaching theater,” says Brown. “Students will be learning in a cutting-edge theater of this magnitude. It’s one of the best in the industry.”

Future plans include using the theater to anchor a new commercial and entertainment district which will include additional campus housing.

With a total budget of $54 million, Brown emphasizes that the project wouldn’t have happened without state and foundation funding. Local support has been critical as well, and there are still naming and giving opportunities available.

“When we put this proposal before the state, the only person who thought it would happen was President Marshall. Then it happened and we had to build it within two years,” shares Brown.

“The theater is changing the lives of so many people, from students to community members,” she adds. “Everyone should come see something here.”

Patrons are invited to get dressed in their best and walk the red carpet to celebrate the opening of the Asteria Theatre on September 27, 2024 with opening night of the theater department’s production of Amadeus.