Fort Collins, Arts & Culture
Debut Theatre plans performing arts center in former Fort Collins movie theater
The company’s announcement envisions a 120-seat black box and a 300-seat main theater, alongside classrooms and rehearsal studios. Its $3 million campaign is planned in two phases, with the second running through 2028.
Debut Theatre Company plans to convert an 18,000-square-foot former movie theater at 2525 Worthington Circle in Fort Collins into a performing arts center, according to the company’s campaign announcement and a city building permit application.
The permit has not been issued. The permit record indicates a change of use for the space. Plans filed with the city describe studios primarily for instruction and rehearsal in Debut Arts Centre’s youth performing arts programs for students in grades K-12. The permit says the studios are not intended to serve as public performance or assembly spaces. It values the work at $784,853.
Debut’s announcement describes two theaters, including a black box with seating for 120 and a 300-seat main theater, along with classrooms, rehearsal studios, workshops, a costume shop and other spaces. The announcement says the complex would offer affordable rehearsal and performance space to other nonprofits and schools. Debut announced its $3 million capital campaign on Oct. 10, 2025. The campaign has two phases: a $1 million first phase during 2025–2026 for offices, a black box theater, classrooms and workshops, followed by a second phase of $2 million or more through 2028 for the main theater.
Debut’s announcement says building owner Les Kaplan has provided the space rent-free in perpetuity, a gift the company values at $250,000 annually. Kaplan plans to invest more than $1 million in structural upgrades, according to the announcement. Edward M. Warner and Jacalyn D. Erickson pledged a $250,000 matching grant challenge through Dec. 31, 2025, the announcement says.