Loading
FORT MYERS — Four supporters of the Florida Repertory Theatre downtown have pledged $1 million to the nonprofit theater company.
Mary and Hugh Denison and Bruce and Janet Bunch will give the $1 million over the next five years. “This is a transformational gift,” says Robert Cacioppo, Florida Rep founder and producing artistic director, in a statement. “And because it comes when we are in a strong financial position, we're able to use these funds to improve the quality of our work, invest in the stability of the organization well into its future, and enhance current programming for both theatergoers and young people all over Southwest Florida.”
Some of the plans for future growth have already started. In the fall, Florida Rep allocated roughly $350,000 of the new funds to build-out a 5,000 square foot commercial space in downtown Fort Myers at 2401 First Street for two custom rehearsal and classroom spaces. A second phase of this development, which requires an additional fundraising of $250,000, will be for office space for the administrative staff.
“After eighteen years of renting spaces too small or that required compromise to work in efficiently, we are finally in control of our own destiny,” says Cacioppo, in a statement.
Over 85,000 theatergoers see Florida Rep's work every year, and in 2015 its education and outreach programming reached a record 22,000 young people, up from 11,000 the year before. The theater has attracted wide recognition from critics as a top regional venue for theater, including several positive reviews in The Wall Street Journal.
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning business news.
Join thousands of executives who rely on us for insights spanning Tampa Bay to Naples.
