Anna Thompson, a longtime fixture of the Denver theatre scene, passed away on October 5 after a long illness. Most recently the operations manger for the Denver branch of Norcostco, Thompson spent the early part of her career as a scenic and lighting designer in the Midwest and Northeast before moving to Denver in the early 80s. She taught and designed at the Loretto Heights College and the University of Northern Colorado as well as local theatres such as the Arvada Center and the Union Colony Civic Center. She also designed industrials and conventions for such clients as Wang, Electromedics, the Pork Producers of America, the grand opening of the Colorado Convention Center, and the Prehistoric Journey exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Thompson made the move from teaching and designing to the business of theatrical supply by first working for Theatrix in Denver and later by creating the Denver branch of Norcostco. For the past 10 years, Thompson worked with customers on the phone or in their theatres answering questions, giving advice, and creating solutions for an array of technical and design problems.
In keeping with her dedication to the entertainment technology industry, Thompson has left provisions for the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology to create the Anna M. Thompson Scholarship Fund for the advancement of Women in Technical Theatre. Anyone interested in contributing to the fund may send donations to:
The Anna M. Thompson Scholarship Fund
C/o The Bank of Denver
Attn: Ginny Maes
1534 California Street
Denver, CO 80202