The former home of Benchmark Theatre will now house The Three Leaches, The Lab and Flamboyan Theatre

One theatre’s loss is another’s gain — or in this case, three theatres’ gain. In a press release issued Thursday, indy theatre The Three Leaches announced that it was moving into the former home of Benchmark Theatre at 40 West Arts in Lakewood. The company will be joined by The Lab and Flamboyan Theatre — Denver’s first Puerto Rican Theatre Company.

Citing financial strain, Benchmark moved out of the space in May, with plans to continue productions in other venues. The small theatre at 40 West won’t stay empty long with these new tenants ready to move in.

“This is such a dream come true for The Three Leaches,” said Three Leaches Artistic Director Melissa Leach in the release. “Amber Irish and I opened this company 14 years ago with $1,000 in our pocket and passion for the arts. We want this space, along with 40 Arts West, Flamboyan and The Lab, to become a community art hub. There is such immense talent here in Denver — let’s help artists showcase theirs by creating a welcoming and affordable space to rent.”

Jon Marcantoni, founder of Flamboyan Theatre, says he is looking forward to offering a space for Latine and BIPOC artists to tell their stories and make a home for themselves.

“While we focus on Puerto Rican stories, culture, and history, we want our space to celebrate all Latin American peoples as well as diasporic communities from all over the world,” Marcantoni said. “We will be offering rentals for classes, workshops, events, and inviting other independent theatres to do co-productions with us.”

Flamboyan’s first production, Empire of Solitude, is set to premiere Aug. 9 at Buntport Theater in Denver.

The Lab off Colfax is an expansion of The Lab on Santa Fe, which has existed in the Downtown Denver Art Scene for two years. Founder and Creative Director Joshua Berkowitz says they will keep that spot there while also running the gallery inside the new Three Leaches Theater. He said The Lab plans to have three live performances a year, each with a two-weekend run.

“I will write and direct these productions, which will be heavily experimental in nature,” Berkowitz said, adding that he’s excited about the collaboration between the three companies.

“The coolest thing that The Lab off Colfax will do is to reinforce cross-pollination as the secret key to everything,” he said. “The Three Leaches, Flamboyan Theater and The Lab will be bringing together our communities and mixing the theater scene with the art scene to break down any insular norm immediately.”

Leach said The Three Leaches Theater will use the space not only for theatrical productions, but also classes, readings of new works, a writer’s club, and karaoke nights.”

“Denver isn’t getting any cheaper any time soon,” Marcantoni said. “So collaborative theatre is the only sustainable way forward for independent companies.”