• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

The Players Centre shares plans for Lakewood Ranch move

The Center Stage Capital Campaign was introduced at a London Bay Homes model in The Founders Club.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 9:05 p.m. April 9, 2019
  • Arts + Culture
  • Share

The Players Centre for Performing Arts unveiled its plan April 9 for its new campus, located in the Waterside Place Development in Lakewood Ranch. 

To share its plans and celebrate the new Center Stage Capital Campaign, The Players Centre gathered its closest supporters at a London Bay Homes model in The Founders Club. Guests enjoyed appetizers, drinks and a performance by Kathryn Parks, in addition to learning about the new plans. It was also shared that Tippy and John Holz are the co-chairs of the $30 million campaign. 

The new 70,000 sq. foot campus will sit on 4.5 acres and host three buildings. These include a 480-seat main stage auditorium with balcony seating, a 125-seat black box theatre, a 100-seat cabaret theatre with dining and The Arnold Simonsen Players Studio where education takes place. 

Going into its 90th season next year, the Players hopes to break ground by the end of this year. Its current property has been sold, but the show will go on – some of the season will be set in its current location, and they will use other properties to perform if necessary.

It will also be keeping a studio in Rosemary Square to keep a presence in downtown Sarasota. 

Artistic Director Jeffery Kin, Donna DeFant, Co-Chairs Tippy and John Holz and Morgan Gerhart
Artistic Director Jeffery Kin, Donna DeFant, Co-Chairs Tippy and John Holz and Morgan Gerhart
Steve Gibson, Glo Reber and John Gleeson
Steve Gibson, Glo Reber and John Gleeson
Paul Kline, Evie Remmo, Bette Lou Cookson and Dick Teckenbrick
Paul Kline, Evie Remmo, Bette Lou Cookson and Dick Teckenbrick
Co-Chairwoman Tippy Holz, Michale Bernard, Annette Miller and Co-Chairman John Holz
Co-Chairwoman Tippy Holz, Michale Bernard, Annette Miller and Co-Chairman John Holz
Kathy Fraley, Artistic Director Jeffery Kin and Gayle Logan
Kathy Fraley, Artistic Director Jeffery Kin and Gayle Logan
The event was hosted in a model home in The Founders Club
The event was hosted in a model home in The Founders Club
Adrian Fox and Win Peniston
Adrian Fox and Win Peniston
Plans for the new campus were set up around the home.
Plans for the new campus were set up around the home.
Plans for the main building were set up for guest's to view.
Plans for the main building were set up for guest's to view.
Appetizers and drinks were served throughout the event.
Appetizers and drinks were served throughout the event.
Paul Flynn, Gina Watters and Dana and Matt Watkins
Paul Flynn, Gina Watters and Dana and Matt Watkins
Chris and Robin Renders with Joseph Kaminsky
Chris and Robin Renders with Joseph Kaminsky
Steve Gibson welcomes guests to the model home.
Steve Gibson welcomes guests to the model home.
Artistic Director Jeffery Kin introduced Kathryn Parks.
Artistic Director Jeffery Kin introduced Kathryn Parks.
Kathryn Parks performed two pieces.
Kathryn Parks performed two pieces.
Morgan Gerhart is the first advancement director for The Players.
Morgan Gerhart is the first advancement director for The Players.
Tippy and John Holz were announced as co-chairs of the Center Stage Capital Campaign.
Tippy and John Holz were announced as co-chairs of the Center Stage Capital Campaign.
Morgan Gerhart and Linda Gross
Morgan Gerhart and Linda Gross

 

Latest News

Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat
Plastic bottles have been separated from other recyclables as they travel along a conveyor line at the Circular Services materials recovery facility in Sarasota.
  • June 3, 2026
From shelf to floor: A plastic bottle's journey
A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.
  • June 3, 2026
Longboat Key pushes against Gov. DeSantis property tax reform proposal
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
  • June 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Post Office mail theft investigation continues

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Arts + Culture

Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows
Pianist Michael Stephen Brown will replace Robert Levin as a faculty member at the Sarasota Music Festival and will perform on June 6 at Holley Hall.
  • June 1, 2026
A slimmer Sarasota Music Festival aims to be as satisfying as ever
Arts and Central, the Rosemary District restaurant opened in 2024 by father-and-son team Dan Henson Jr. and Dan Henson, is one of more than 50 restaurants participating in the 21st annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.
  • May 27, 2026
Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week kicks off its 21st edition June 1-14
Kallista Schneiderman and Kelly Haramis rehearse for their upcoming performance of "Grease is the Word" at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, which runs from June 2-7.
  • May 27, 2026
Sarasota's Squeaky Wheel Fringe keeps making noise
Hermitage Fellow and Grammy Award winner Rona Siddiqui teams up with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell for Hermitage Sunset Music on the Beach on Thursday, May 28.
  • May 26, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 28-June 3
Ann Morrison played the titular role in the Broadway touring production of "Kimberly Akimbo" for 10 months.
  • May 21, 2026
Sarasota actor Ann Morrison is forever young

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free