History

Founded in 1982, Town Hall Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Our mission is to enrich the cultural, social and educational life of the community through professionally-produced live theatre, concerts and other cultural events, and through year-round educational programs for children and adults.

When it was built in 1920, our building served as the hub of life in Littleton. It originally was the City of Littleton’s Town Hall. Our lobby housed the city’s fire truck; the basement where we build stage scenes was Littleton’s jail; and our second-floor auditorium is where the city council met, court was held and residents turned out for plenty of community dances. City offices dominated what is now the Stanton Art Gallery.

The City moved into the new city center in 1976 and efforts began almost immediately to raise the money to convert the building into a performance oriented community center. In 1980, a group of local citizens decided our growing city — and all of south metro Denver — needed a performing arts center. They mounted a fundraising campaign, and two years later, a newly expanded and remodeled building called the Town Hall Arts Center staged its first season in the upstairs, 260-seat theatre.

Today, THAC is governed by a volunteer board of ten that oversees our staff, comprised of a Chief Operating Officer and eight full-time and seven part-time employees. The organization was founded and continues to operate on the belief that the immediate availability of excellent performing and visual arts significantly enriches cultural, social and educational life. THAC provides quality live entertainment in the genres of theatre, music and dance. The Denver Post has called THAC “one of the most appealing intimate theaters in the region.”

As the hub of arts and entertainment for the city, THAC also anchors Downtown Littleton’s historic and vibrant Main Street, a three-block district largely occupied by locally owned retailers and restaurants. Each year, THAC accounts for more than 25,000 visits to Downtown Littleton and contributes more than $500,000 directly to the area’s economy, according to an economic impact study conducted by the City of Littleton.

During our season from September through June, THAC produces six main stage shows and a series of concerts and special events. THAC’s Education Program includes Arts on the Move, which takes plays — including those involving student participation — directly into schools and provides a field-trip opportunity to our center. The Actors’ Playground program provides classes in acting, singing, movement, stage combat and script analysis/writing for students ages 5-17.