The Sarasota Players has announced that Payne Park Auditorium will be its new home, with construction slated to begin by fall of 2025 and the goal of opening in late 2026.

After a long search for a permanent location, The Players—which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year—secured a 30-year lease for the Payne Park Auditorium. The company plans completely renovate the building, converting it into a 200-seat performance venue that maintains the structure’s original 1960s aesthetic while introducing modern elements.

“Our goal is to create a flexible, comfortable space that will accommodate plays,
musicals, and community events,” says William Skaggs, The Sarasota Players' CEO. 

Designed by Fleischman Garcia Maslowski Architecture, the adaptive space will allow for a variety of productions and events. It will have approximately 250 parking spaces. The estimated renovation cost is approximately $2.5 million.

“We want to ensure a financially stable future for The Sarasota Players while creating a theater that will serve our community for generations to come,” says Skaggs.