Sarasota performing arts theater moves forward with $8M project

The $8 million theater project at Payne Park is moving forward for Sarasota’s community theater The Players Centre for Performing Arts.

The theater formed a wholly owned subsidiary nonprofit called The Stage at Payne Park LLC that’s in charge of the capital campaign fundraising. The Players expects the remodel of the existing Payne Park auditorium to cost $8 million but is matching community donations up to $4 million.

The theater has been in pursuit of a new home since 2016 when the organization sold its downtown Sarasota property. In 2018, The Players entered an agreement with Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to build a $30 million theater complex at Waterside Village. But in March of 2022, the developers issued a statement that they had terminated its agreement with The Players.