DCPA CEO SHILLER RESIGNS; RITCHIE TO FILL ROLE AGAIN

DCPA head Shiller cites di≠erences in vision for his departure; Ritchie to reassume role.

Scott Shiller, president and CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, has resigned, and board chairman Daniel Ritchie will reassume the role. Shiller joined DCPA a year ago, leaving Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and becoming the second CEO in DCPA’s history, succeeding Ritchie, a local philanthropist who has been board chairman for nine years.

Scott Shiller, president and CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, has resigned, citing a difference in vision for the organization’s future.

Chairman Daniel Ritchie will reassume the role.

Shiller joined DCPA about a year ago, leaving Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and becoming the second CEO in DCPA’s history, succeeding Ritchie, a local philanthropist who has been board chairman for nine years.

Shiller offered a letter of resignation, effective May 31, to Ritchie on Friday.

“While I have enjoyed my time in Denver and am proud of what our team has accomplished this season, I can no longer serve the organization due to significant divergence in my vision for the company and that of the leadership of the DCPA Board of Trustees,” Shiller said in the letter.

Shiller said he’s proud of the financial, operational and program achievements he orchestrated in his term.

The outgoing CEO pointed to record-setting $37 million in ticket sales for its “Broadway line programming,” which was $4 million over the DCPA’s budget goal. The Broadway series also filled seats, Shiller said in the letter, to 82.6 percent of capacity, DCPA’s highest-ever number and a “significant increase” over last year.

Shiller, in the letter to Ritchie, did not go into details on the visionary differences which led to his departure. In an e-mail to The Denver Post, he said he would let the letter “speak for itself.”

“The Denver Center takes great pride in the substantial progress the organization has made under Scott’s leadership,” Ritchie said in a news release.

“We will work to expand his vision to reach into the community to reflect the growing diversity of the Denver metro area.”

Ritchie’s repeat performance as CEO will be temporary, as he works with the DCPA board and executive staffers in the search for a new chief.