New Seats, New Possibilities at The Ellie
Big changes are coming to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House this summer!
Denver Arts & Venues will replace the hall’s original 20-year-old seating with brand-new seats designed to improve comfort, reduce noise, and enhance the audience experience for years to come.
As part of this change, The Ellie’s current seatback captioning system will also be removed. For more than 20 years, Opera Colorado audiences have enjoyed one of the only systems of its kind in the world here at The Ellie. We know many patrons value these captions deeply, and we also know how important they are to connecting to the stories we tell on stage.
Opera Colorado and Denver Arts & Venues are exploring new captioning solutions designed to create a more reliable, accessible, and flexible experience throughout the entire opera house. Throughout the summer and fall, we’ll continue sharing updates, testing solutions, and gathering your feedback.
FAQ
Because the system is highly specialized and uncommon, replacement parts, software support, and repair options are no longer available.
Absolutely! Captions are a top priority for Opera Colorado, and they will continue to be part of your opera experience. We are currently testing several options, including enhanced above-stage titles, stage-side captioning, and more.
Visibility throughout the hall is a major focus of our testing process! We are evaluating solutions from every seat to create the best possible experience for audiences throughout the theater.
Testing and evaluation will continue throughout the summer and fall leading into the 2026-27 Season. We will continue to refine captions throughout the season.
Yes! The current plan includes offering captions in English and Spanish. Additional accessibility and language options may continue to evolve as new systems are tested and refined.
Yes, we are happy to share that the orchestra section will have cupholders.
Share your feedback with us
As we test and refine new seating and captioning solutions at The Ellie, your feedback will play an important role!
If you’d like to share your thoughts, please complete the brief form below.
Helpful feedback might include:
- Your experience using captions at The Ellie
- Seating areas where captions have been easier or more difficult to view
- Accessibility considerations that are important to you
- Questions or concerns you’d like us to consider
We truly appreciate your time, feedback, and partnership as we explore the possibilities!