The Arapahoe County coroner’s office said Tuesday that Shadow Theatre founder Jeffrey Nickelson likely died of natural causes. Nickelson was found to have had “severe three-vessel coronary artery disease,” his death report said. Nickelson, who resigned as the theater’s artistic director in June, was discovered in his car Saturday and pronounced dead at the Medical Center of Aurora. He was 53. The complete autopsy results are not expected for 10 weeks.
A celebration of Nickelson’s life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 215 S. Santa Fe Drive. Organizers request that no one wear black “and to dress in vibrant colors, as we will be celebrating his life,” family friend Ladi Crenshaw said, “just as his wishes were.”
The event, called “Eagle Fly,” will include testimonials, poems and songs. Donations will be accepted for the start of the Jeffrey Nickelson Memorial Fund. While Su Teatro’s new arts center has not yet begun construction, organizers say the existing room can accommodate 300. For more information, call 720-620-2316. John Moore, The Denver Post
