Florida Studio Theatre Presents The Next Act Gala, 11/29

Florida Studio Theatre will celebrate the grand opening of the Gompertz Theatre on November 29, 2012 with The Next Act Gala. The theme of the event is 'Reflecting on Theatre Past and Future' and will celebrate FST's 39 years of contemporary work. Carol M. Poteat – Buchanan and Patricia Courtois, two of FST's longtime supporters, will serve as the co-chairs of the event.

The event kicks off at 5:30pm with pre-show cocktails that will take place in the Israeloff Lobby of the new Hegner Theatre Wing. Attendees will have the chance to take tours of the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre and the two additional spaces: the New Cabaret Theatre and the John Court Theatre. Moving into the evening there the Spelman award recipient will be announced, followed by a special performance. Ending the evening will be dinner at The Frances, a new restaurant opening under the Palm Avenue Parking Garage.
Tickets to the event are $250 per person and will be a great way to support FST and its programming, while having a spectacular evening. Sponsorship Opportunities are currently available.

Florida Studio Theatre is grateful to its media sponsor Sarasota Magazine and its print sponsor Spotlight Graphics for supporting the event.

The New Gompertz Theatre Campaign

The New Gompertz Theatre is designed by Potvin Architects in collaboration with C. Alan Architect PA and NDC Construction. Schuler Shook of Chicago served as Theatre Consultants in the months leading up to construction and Siebein Associates, Inc are serving as Acoustical Consultants.

The $6.8 million construction campaign includes:

$4.2 million for renovation of The New Gompertz Theatre
$1 million to pay for the property
$1 million for endowment
$633,000 for capital reserves

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 237, 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 on two levels
A New Actors' Loft featuring new dressing rooms, restrooms, green room, and additional facilities, plus a Rooftop Garden for actors and running crews

FST's construction project has the following projected timeline:

August 10, 2012: Performances began in the renovated Gompertz Theatre for Perfect Wedding, the second show of the 2012 Summer Season
November 29, 2012: Grand opening of the New Gompertz Theatre, cafe, and lobby space
December 7, 2012: Opening of Mainstage show number 2 in the Gompertz Theatre
January 4, 2013: Grand opening of the new Cabaret theatre space
January 2014: Grand opening of the John Court Theatre space [2013/2014 Season]

 

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