Executive producer of city-owned theater organization says ‘it was clear it was in the best interest of the theater.’

Rich Cowden has abruptly left his position as executive producer of the city-owned Aurora Fox Arts Center after just 2½ years. And no one is saying why.

Cowden has confirmed to the Denver Gazette that he tendered his resignation on Feb. 2 “when it became clear it was in the best interest of the theater,” he said, adding that he will not be free to elaborate more fully until he ties up some loose ends with the city.

“What I can say on record at this point is that my time at the Fox came to an earlier and more abrupt end than I’d hoped,” he said. “But I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish in a short time.”

Those accomplishments, in brief: “Major renovations, higher attendance and far greater community engagement than when I arrived,” said Cowden.

The executive producer is the chief administrator of a city-owned arts facility with strict financial oversight and deep bureaucratic arteries. Cowden was chosen in August 2023, ending a prolonged hiring saga that had stretched to 14 months.

He took over during an extended period of self-imposed creative dormancy and administrative reorganization at the Fox. That interlude created great unease and worries whether the Fox would be able to draw its rapidly changing core audience back.

Cowden hit the ground running, seeing through a series of overdue renovations that included a major restoration of the 80-year-old building’s iconic, 60-foot-neon marquee at 9900 E. Colfax Ave.

The Fox’s bedrock theater programming bounced back with strong offerings that have included “Gem of the Ocean,” an award-winning comedy called “Art” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” That comeback hit a roadblock when the Fox wasn’t able to follow through on its ambitious commitment to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “20th Century American Cycle” – a promise made by Cowden’s predecessor. An announced production of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” was scuttled when the Wilson estate withdrew the rights.

Meanwhile, Cowden significantly expanded the scope of the Fox’s programming, launching the “Fox Flix” family movie series and the “Aurora Rhythms” concert series, along with free concerts in partnership with the Colorado Folk Arts Council.

Cowden had long been the announced director of the Fox’s current stage production of the absurdist classic “Waiting for Godot,” but those duties were long ago shifted to Rodney Lizcano. That the play, which opened Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 22, had been in preparations for months might indicate that Cowden’s status has been uncertain for some time.

No one at the city of Aurora is saying anything about the matter, citing personnel confidentiality. That includes Production Manager Jen Orf, who has been largely responsible for whatever stability the Fox has enjoyed since before the shutdown. Her email currently announces a Jan. 23 “out-of-office” date, with no mention of a return.

“I had a superb team alongside me, and I know the theater is well-positioned to thrive,” said Cowden. “I’m excited for its future. Aurora — particularly the East Colfax corridor — is a better place when its signature cultural landmark is healthy.”

The Aurora Fox opened in 1946 as a film palace that burned down in 1981 and was reopened as a community theater in 1985. Its physical rejuvenation under Cowden has included a $500,000 city allocation for building upgrades that included disability compliance, carpet replacement, a lobby repainting, and –  the holy grail for audiences – new and larger seats. That decreased capacity in the main theater from 240 to 215.

Cowden is aware that his surprise departure will have many searching for a more definitive explanation as to why.

“The only other thing I’d ask is that people not be led to infer that this was due to some sort of sexual, political or predatory issue,” he said. “It was nothing of the sort.”

The Fox operates under the umbrella of the city’s Library and Cultural Services wing. Ginger White Brunetti, its director, said, “I certainly enjoyed working with Rich and greatly appreciate what he did to generate buzz at the Fox and elevate the Aurora Arts District. I’m hopeful we can maintain the momentum he helped create. That’s my aim.”

She added that there is no timetable for launching the search for Cowden’s replacement.

“It’s early days, but I’m thinking about that actively,” she said.

The Cowden era will be remembered for its strong start, and confounding end. Especially given the energy, enthusiasm and hope that his tenure first portended.

“In terms of moving forward, I just want to stand on top of that big Fox marquee on East Colfax and shout to the world that we are going to stabilize,” Cowden said at his introduction.