Sarasota's Florida Studio Theatre Announces Plans for New Theatre Building and Renovation Project

Florida Studio Theatre has announced a multi-year capital improvement campaign to renovate the 6,000-sq.-foot Gompertz Theatre and construct an 18,000-sq- foot addition with two new theatre spaces. The $5.6-million-dollar campaign is the largest capital program in the 37-year old theatre's history and will double the number of renovated stages on the theatre's campus located in Sarasota's historic downtown.

Designed by Potvin Architects in collaboration with C. Alan Architect PA and Contractors, Florida Studio Theatre will break ground in January 2012 on the new complex. The renovated Gompertz Theatre will have a soft opening in July 2012, and have a grand opening in December 2012. The Gompertz Theatre is located at the corner of First Street and Cocoanut Avenue. Schuler Shook is the theatre consultant on the project.

"When Florida Studio Theatre purchased the adjacent property where the current Gompertz Theatre stands about ten years ago, we began dreaming of what FST would one day become," said artistic director Richard Hopkins, who has been with the theatre for 31 years. "This is the opportunity to expand and extend the reach of our current programming; we will grow the mainstage series audience, we will grow the Cabaret series audience, and grow our other programming, including improv, education, children's theatre and new play development. We have spent years examining our core and what we do well, and The New Gompertz Theatre campaign will allow us to keep doing that." ,p> The New Gompertz Theatre project will allow FST to meet the demands of its programs and to reach even more of Sarasota's broadening audience. Those demands could take FST's audience and impact from 160,000 people to a projected 200,000 people per year. It will also allow for exciting new artistic ventures because of the expansion and addition of two new theatre spaces.

The construction project will include the following in the new 24,000 sq. foot facility:

• Expanded interior lobby space
• New large restrooms
• A full service cafe and bar
• Covered veranda seating and street-level seating
• Fully renovated Gompertz theatre auditorium featuring an increase in seating capacity to 230, increased accessible seating for handicapped patrons, larger stage space and wing space
• A new Cabaret Theatre, seating 130 people on two levels
• A new Lab Theatre, seating 100 people
• A new Actors' Loft featuring new dressing rooms, restrooms, green room, and additional facilities.