The Sarasota-Bradenton area has long been a haven for artists and musicians seeking a community that embraces thought-provoking creativity and vibrant expression. It’s why the region proudly retains its title as the “Cultural Coast” of Florida, which boasts an expanding $340 million nonprofit arts and culture industry seating thousands of local patrons and tourists at impactful year-round performances. Since 1929, The Players Centre for Performing Arts has served as the driving force preserving and popularizing the theatrical disciplines across the area. We’re the community’s creative anchor because of your longstanding commitment to us.
William Skaggs, our CEO hired in September 2020, speaks of regularly hearing The Players Centre described as a “family,” which is what we’ve strived to embody for nearly 92 seasons as a community theatre invested in the region. Everyone – ticket takers to ticket buyers and production teams to countless volunteers – plays a key role creating a community that will help us impact more than 60,000 people annually through high-quality shows, classes and more. That’s our plan and purpose, as we partner with you. Together we will raise $26.5 million through our ongoing Center Stage Capital Campaign to break ground in June 2023 on The Players Centre’s new home in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place.
Playing your vital role
Our goal is to intentionally shine the spotlight on Lakewood Ranch, creating a cultural hub that benefits the community and surrounding region – just like we’ve done in Sarasota for nearly a century. The Players Centre’s expansive two-stage, multi-use facility in Waterside Place will be the largest arts organization east of I-75 in an easily-accessible location for patrons across the Sarasota-Manatee Area. While we aim to stage creative performances in our new facility by 2025, that can’t be accomplished without you.
Every contribution, whether it’s your valuable time or a generous gift to the Center Stage Capital Campaign, helps our 12-member staff and numerous volunteers generate programs that impact people ages three and up across the community. We can grow the performing arts in this area through your involvement. Audition for a show or register as a volunteer! Keep up with various events by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
This isn’t just a project to construct a performing arts center in Lakewood Ranch, but a community effort in which business leaders to families have a stake in reshaping the landscape of a highly desirable area.
Our next act begins now in your community
We plan to continue fundraising and community engagement past The Players Centre’s groundbreaking ceremony through ongoing galas, informational events and festivals. Look out for a virtual reality tour of the new space coming soon. Announced on May 6, our powerful shows will move forward at our remodeled 5,400-square-foot, 152-seat performance space in The Crossings at Siesta Key – just in time for our 92nd Season set to be unveiled in July. Take a class or workshop at The Players Studio or buy tickets to our array of outdoor shows.
Help us continue The Players Centre’s legacy as the first performing arts organization in the area. The entire community is a stakeholder in our stage – and that includes you.
