Venice Theatre is the second largest community theatre in the nation and the heart of the arts in South Sarasota County.
The Next Act is our Capital Campaign for the expansion and improvement of our production and education campus.
New classroom and rehearsal spaces will give our community more chances to explore the power of the arts. Help our students expand their horizons by playing your part through naming a studio, stage, and even a building.
With the generosity of area resident Carole Freeland Raymond and your help, this month we launch our Community Appeal by encouraging everyone to give any amount toward her $500,000 match. As we close in on our new, post-pandemic $7M campaign goal, we hope that everyone will pitch in and play their part.
Thank you to our Next Act donors and corporate partners!
Heart of the Arts Society $500K+
Dr. William H. Jervey Jr.
Carole Freeland Raymond
Spotlight Society $100K+
Dr. Frank Bruno
Selby Foundation
Silver Foxes
Doug and Mary Taylor
Star Society $75K+
Diane and Bob Greenlee
Premiere Society $50K+
David and Ann Mason
Dennis and Ruthanne Neeser
Steve and Redenta Picazio
Center Stage Society $25K+
June Novak Bock
Murray and Lori Chase
Helen V. and Kevin J. Collins
Beth Cotner and Jack Alogna
George DeLuisi
Lynn Field
Bill and Rosemarie Johnson
Laura Kopple
Kathryn and Joe LaDu
Ernest and Polly Skinner
Lisa Taylor
Jean and Tom Trammell
Jim and Joanne Williams
Tim Wisgerhof
Ensemble Society $10K+
Dan Cole
Lynn and Jim Crandall
Judith Dean
Barbara Freeman
Shirley Gawne
Kristofer Geddie
Barry and Patricia Lawrence
Gar Reese
Patty Schmitt
Paul Andis and Diane Simmons
The Wasmund Family
Eric Watters
Troupe Society $5K+
Donna Bardgett
Keith and Gayle Cain
Don Cavern
City of Venice
Maria and Warren Goodwin
Carl and Mary Johnson
Kathryn Killinger
Jim Stern and Marco Knapp
Allan Kollar
Carol and Gene Kraus
Sally Lowry
Stephen and Donna Miller
Mark Nehiba
Sweet Sparkman
Engel & Voelkers
Virtuoso Society $2,500+
Kent and Ulla Crickard
Neil and Michelle Kasanofsky
Wings Society $1000+
Benny Sato Ambush
Cheryl Anderson
John Andzulis
Deborah Arnold
Earl Baumruck
Nate Blaweiss
Ed and Carolyn Boudreaux
Camille Cline
Chris Cole and Cara Herman
Gary and Joanne Cook
Jim and Suzi Courtright
Sandy Davisson
Kelly Duyn
Rose Hofferbert
Carroll Hunter
Janet and Robert Knudsen
Marianne Koerner
Kim Kollar
Vicki Kupec
Judith Lindauer
Magnum Builders
Joan Mangold
Linda Mangold
Jane Marcin
John Morse
Bruce O’Neill
Nikki Pietryka
Nancy Ploughe
Peter Roach
Bill and Pat Saro
Rhonda Sudik
Melvin and Charlotte Van Dyke
Brad Wages and Daniel LaPorta
Stage Manager Society $500+
Paul Borgmann
James Brigger
Cindy Carruth
Karen Clevenger
Laurie Colton and Evan Farrar
Brian Freeman
Mary Hartnett
Tom and Kathy MacDonald
Luke Manual McFatrich
Madeline McGrail
Lisa Million
Barb Mullen
Ed Myslevicek
Doris Pacelli
Maryann Regal
David and Barbara Willis
Bartender Society $250+
Bill and Sara Atz
British Open Pub
Tullio and Suzanne Coccia
Carol Dore Depgen
Alyssa Goudy
Theresa Hyde
Sandy Kenny
Jean Miller
J. P. and Judy Newell
Sertoma Club of Venice
Venice Theatre Bartenders
From The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation recently awarded over $1M in grants to 17 nonprofit organizations which provide essential services and enrichment to our local area. Grants awarded focus on preserving and advancing the safety, security, accessibility, and efficiency of facilities and services provided by these … Continued
Ed Scott, Venice Style Sometimes, when you step far away from your everyday routine, the people you meet help you understand why what you do is so special. When Murray Chase traveled and worked in Europe this summer, he visited and learned about small Italian towns and cities, each of which had its own identity. … Continued
By Luke Manual McFatrich For The Gondolier VENICE — Venice Theatre is continuing its renovations and improvements to its three-building campus. From the renovation of the new Arts Education Center, to the new roof, HVAC, and safety measures for the Technical Arts Building, and to the remodeling of the theatre lobby, Venice Theatre’s The Next … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun, Staff Report VENICE — There are new renovations, and names, inside Venice Theatre. Along with a variety of improvements that are continuing through an ongoing construction, areas inside have been named. There is the Joanne Bruno Lobby; the James E. Bauer Executive Suite; the Picazio Family Business Center along with The Merry Islander … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun STAFF REPORT VENICE — Work is underway inside Venice Theatre as Magnum Builders of Sarasota starts renovating the theater’s lobby. There are no other slated shows until July, so Venice Theatre is using the time as an opportunity to start “work on renovations more than 20 years in the making,” it said in … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun STAFF REPORT VENICE — Venice Theatre is going to see new improvements in coming months. According to a news release, Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors has partnered the theater “and will spearhead new growth initiatives across its campus.” SSAI is a “multi-disciplinary architecture and planning firm” based in Sarasota. The announcement was made … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun STAFF REPORT VENICE — For Venice Theatre, the year 2020 started with the Next Act Capital Campaign as local philanthropist William H. Jervey pledged $1 million to match community support. Recently, he provided a $250,000 check — from 6 feet away — to the theater’s Producing Executive Director Murray Chase as a part … Continued
We love our patrons and want your experience at Venice Theatre to be as enjoyable and as comfortable as possible. The quality of our shows are the most important thing, of course, but we also want you to be taken in by the ambiance of the theatre as soon as you walk through our doors. … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun By Laurie Colton, Venice Theatre VENICE — Venice Theatre announces its 71st season of shows. The theater also announced that it has named its 432-seat MainStage proscenium theater, The Jervey Theatre, after benefactor, Dr. William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice resident Dr. Jervey recently offered $1,000,000 to Venice Theatre to encourage the community to … Continued
Venice Gondolier-Sun STAFF REPORT VENICE — Venice Theatre officials signed papers Friday closing their deal on the purchase of the Arts Education Building — formerly known as the Hamilton Building. The $1.06 million deal sale from the city of Venice will lead to a renovation to the 9,518-square foot building, according to Venice Theatre officials. … Continued
CH-4124–Venice Theatre, Inc. meets all requirements specified by the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Acts. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.