The Players Centre News www.theplayers.org
838 North Tamiami Trail • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941.365.2494 Fax: 941.954.0282
Sept. 1, 2016
THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
ANNOUNCES ARCHITECT AND BUILDER FOR NEW PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN
WATERSIDE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD RANCH
Sarasota, Florida – After a three month interview process with 11 architect firms and 3 builders, the Board of Trustees of The Players Centre for Performing Arts has selected Schenkel Shultz/Westlake Reed Leskosky as their Architect and Willis Smith Construction to design and build their new performance space in the Waterside Village of Lakewood Ranch.
The new Players Centre for Performing Arts is slated to include a 480-seat main stage auditorium with balcony seating, a 125-seat black box theatre, a 100-seat cabaret stage with a dining experience, a rooftop bar, and the main campus for the Arnold Simonsen Players Studio, the education arm of the organization. CJ Fishman of Fishman & Associates, Inc. will be assisting as the food service consultant for the project.
“We are very excited about the newly selected team,” said Michelle Bianchi Pingel, Managing Director/CEO of The Players Centre. “We will be holding a Meet & Greet of our Architect and Builder on Friday, September 30, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 at The Polo Grill. There will be great food as well as entertainment provided by Jeanne Larranaga, Julianne Randolph and Berry Ayers. The entire community is invited! Please come to meet the team, engage the architects—we want the community involved in this process.”
“We are truly honored to have been selected as the architect for The Players Centre for the Performing Arts,” said Kenneth G. Dean AIA, Partner Schenkel & Shultz, Inc. It will be our responsibility to diligently listen to and support The Players’ vision to create a unique cultural destination with truly flexible and dynamic indoor and outdoor performance spaces that engage the new Main Street in the Waterside Village project–to create a cultural environment that encourages arts education, allow for celebrations, and to create lifetime experiences for the citizens of all ages in the greater Sarasota community and beyond.”
“Willis Smith Construction is honored to have been selected by the Board of Trustees of The Players Centre for Performing Arts as the Construction Management firm to build the their new complex,” said David Sessions, President. “We are excited to be part of the wonderful 87-year legacy of The Players Centre by bringing this fabulous landmark facility to the new Waterside Community of Lakewood Ranch.”
CJ Fishman of Fishman & Associates, Inc., a Venice based Commercial Food Service Design Company, stated, “It is an honor to be asked by The Players to be their Food Service Consultant on this exciting project in Lakewood Ranch. The rich history of The Players and their commitment to the Arts and Culture of our community makes them one of the premier venues that enhance our well-being. The new theatre with its expanded capacities and capabilities will be a landmark destination for current and future generations to enjoy.”
About The Players Centre for Performing Arts
The Players Theatre, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is Sarasota’s first and oldest performing arts organization – and the second oldest in Florida. Opened in 1930, The Players Theatre has been built on the inspiration and aspirations of the incredible talent in the area. The Players presents a diverse and entertaining slate of high quality, volunteer-driven theatrical experiences that educate, stimulate, and enrich the entire community.
The Players Centre For Performing Arts
838 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota FL 34236, 941-365-2494, Fax: 941-954-0282
www.theplayers.org. Box Office: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and one hour prior to curtain time.
The Players Box Office is located on Tamiami Trail between 10th Street and Blvd. of the Arts.
