School district considers opening Rangeland High auditorium for public use

Eight hundred seats along with high end lighting and sound systems.

This is the plan for Rangeland High School’s auditorium, which is just a part of the school's $144 million project.

Associate Superintendent Kevin Chapman said the district is excited about expanding the visual and performing arts footprint in Lakewood Ranch. The district still is figuring out the scope and scale when it comes to cost.

Chapman said if a few more million dollars (he estimated $2.5 to $4 million more) were added to the project, it could become a state-of-the-art performing arts theater. He said they are working with the city, county and community to see if they can secure that funding.

“Our expenses are where they are and our budget is where we are,” Chapman said. “That's why we're looking outward for some funding on this because we know how much this will benefit the community and Manatee County as a whole. This would continue to make Lakewood Ranch such a wonderful place to live.” 

Image courtesy of Parrish Community High School

School Board Member Chad Choate said it is a matter of finding people in the community who want to be philanthropic and have a love of the arts. He said by December or January the decision will have to be made. 

He hopes the school district can find the funding through public and private partnerships because if it doesn't, the decision ultimately will come back to the school board to decide what will be included. 

“People don't walk around with hats that say ‘I love arts’ so it's going to be word of mouth,” Choate said. 

Chapman said that whether or not they secure the funding, the whole school, including the auditorium, will remain on track to be completed by August 2027.

“A little bit of it could probably be done later if it had to be, years down the road,” Chapman said. “While we have plain dirt right now, there's a chance to do it now where it's probably cheaper, so we're giving it a shot.” 

Janene Amick, the CEO of nonprofit Florida Cultural Group that owns Manatee Performing Arts Center, said they are believers of the highest and best use of facilities for the community and she is eager to see more of a live performance presence in Lakewood Ranch. 

Courtesy image

Their facility has 350 seats, while the Rangeland auditorium will have between 800 and 900, similar to Parrish Community High School. Amick said there will be plenty of groups who want to utilize the space including the Manatee Players, the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, dance studios and orchestras.

Amick said she appreciates how the school district inquired about what the theater should include in order to meet the needs of the community as a whole and not just the school. 

The goal is to elevate the space — in terms of the box office, lobby, lights and sound. She said the hope is students will be trained to run the lighting and sound boards to give them skills they could utilize in the future. 

Jess Lubbers, the drama teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, said one of the main obstacles teachers like him face is getting enough manpower to create and run programs. He thinks bringing in the community to support and use the space will be a great idea.

Lubbers said within the theater there is a place for everyone, both for those involved, and for the audience. He said more people will begin to turn to live performances as more artificial intelligence and “mediocre media” fill their screens. He said it is exciting and unique.

“I’m hoping the impact is simply more opportunities for kids to get involved with something they enjoy,” Lubbers said. “Way more than theater happens on stage and I love all of it. It means more people get a chance to do and share what they love with the community.” 

Chapman said the enhancements on the auditorium are also a response to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, which is known for its elite dance and theater programs, wanting to create a campus in Bradenton. 

“What's good about it is you're not only graduating with a degree in dance or one of the arts, but they combine it with a degree in business, in communications or in education, so that you have something to either fall back on or to help supplement your passion for dance. It’s hard to make a lot of money until you finally get to the top.” 

Choate said the students who attend Rangeland High will have first priority in terms of using the space. There will be a designated district employee who will schedule out events and concerts for the students, as well as when outside groups come in and use the space. He encourages the community to help whether it be volunteering their time to be ticket takers, attend the shows, or even contribute financially. 

“People love live entertainment in their own backyard,” Amick said. “Partnering with the school district to be able to access their new auditorium for the benefit of not only the students who attend there, but for the community who lives there, I believe is a win-win.”