Gompertz to add Hegner Theatre Wing

A new era for the kicked up some sand Wednesday to mark the start of the renovation and expansion of the Gompertz Theatre. 

The Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre, 1st and Cocoanut streets, will renovate 6,000 square feet and add an 18,000 square feet addition to be known as the Hegner Theatre Wing, after Richard and Betty Hegner and their Hegner Family Foundation.

The cost is an estimated $5.8 million to complete the wing and the renovation, Hopkins said. The wing includes a lobby, restaurant, cabaret theater, laboratory theater and support facilities for the actors, Hopkins said. The new wing will be built in the parking lot next to the Gompertz

The project initially had its doubters, given the tough economy, Artistic Director Richard Hopkins said, recalling a friend of his proclaiming: "Yeah, it'll be a cold day in hell when you get that together."

"Welcome to a cold day in paradise," Hopkins offered the crowd on the unusually blustery day in Sarasota.

Hopkins also thanked the architects, John Potvin and Alan Anderson, for working with him to develop the vision, even during the "creative abrasion." 

"Some people just say I'm a jerk, but I call it creative abrasion," Hopkins joked.

But seriously, Hopkins thanked all involved for listening to the needs of the audience, staff, actors and more to design the best buildings.

The design evolved to be what Hopkins called a proud "descendant of the ." 

Theater Board Chairman Dennis McGillicuddy echoed Hopkin's compliments to the architects. 

"We're going to make a statement and improve the visual aspects of downtown Sarasota," McGillicuddy said.

Commissioner Jon Thaxton said the arts is an under-estimated powerhouse in Sarasota, of which theater is a major contributor.

"The arts in Sarasota are a driving economic force, and I think all too often we as commissioners, we look out of our boundaries, to find business and enterprise to bring into Sarasota and overlook the very strategic and substantive forms of economic development that we have," he said.

"I think if you would put the arts industry together in Sarasota, you would probably be talking about the No. 3 employer in the entire county, only to be surpassed by and ," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The renovation will be completed in phases, according to the theater's Web site:

• July: Soft opening of renovated Gompertz Theatre during summer season

• December: Grand opening of new Gompertz Theatre, cafe, and lobby space during winter mainstay season

• January 2014: Grand opening of new cabaret theater

• January 2015: Grand opening of new lab theater

The expansion and renovation will allow the theater to increase its audience capacity from 160,000 to 250,000 a year over the next five years, Hopkins said.

The theater is continuing to raise funds for the project in a $6 million campaign. 

Here are some ways the theater offers to give:

"BUILD A FOUNDATION

With a $500 contribution to the New Gompertz Theatre Campaign, receive a PERSONALIZED BRICK in the front walkway. Celebrate your own FST tradition or remember a loved one.

HAVE A SEAT
For a contribution of $1,000, we'll inscribe a SEAT PLAQUE in the Gompertz Theatre. If you'd like you can even specify the seat you want to sponsor (based on availability, only 200 plaques available).

GIVE AN ENDURING GIFT
Gifts of $5,000 and above will be honored on a prominent display inside the lobby or through another available naming opportunity.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
There are still several naming opportunities available. Please contact Jon Donk, Development Manager, at at (941) 366-9017 x326 or jdonk@floridastudiotheatre.org to talk about how you can support the campaign today."