In June all Arts & Culture funding was vetoed by Governor DeSantis for the 2025 fiscal year which began on July 1st, 2024. TSP had been granted $25,000 in General Programming Support and with this veto, that funding was withdrawn. Recently a prominent theater here in Central Florida was forced to close it’s doors suddenly due to a similar loss in state funding and the rising costs post Covid. I can not stress enough how this is not an isolated incident. Many theaters across the state are facing similar struggles. And Theatre South Playhouse is no exception. In full transparency, our rent is close to $11,000 per month and continues to climb by 5% every year and producing live professional theatre can cost upwards of $20,000. As a non-profit, 501(c)(3), we rely on public and state funding in order to continue our programming. We make every effort to avoid having to raise our prices to keep our programming accessible, to ensure that our rent is covered, and to have the ability to pay our staff and cast members a livable wage. I implore our community and patrons to rally together and help us raise the funds needed to keep our theatre open. Theatre South Playhouse is a publicly supported, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing top quality theatrical arts to the community. All donations are 100% tax deductible as allowed by law.

Founded in 2009, our Executive Director Hillary Brook started Theatre South Orlando out of a small office at the Rosen JCC. With a philosophy that when students are inspired by working with diverse professional artists, anything is possible. Theatre South not only became a safe place for young people to learn their craft, but also a place for local artists to share their gifts while providing a place of mutual respect for this community. In 2016 Theatre South Orlando became non-profit under the new name Theater South Playhouse. Our space in the Marketplace at Dr. Phillips was opened that same year and our stage was named The Antoinette David Theater, dedicated to our former founding Board Member and beloved parent and supporter, the late Antoinette David. Today Theatre South Playhouse has evolved into a professional theater, an academic conservatory and a community center for kids, teens and adults to learn their craft. We are a group of diverse artists dedicated to helping shape this community and teaching the values of mutual respect for all.