Asolo Repertory Theatre facts for kids
FSU Center for the Performing Arts
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| Address | 5555 N Tamiami Trail |
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| Location | Sarasota, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°23′0.3″N 82°33′30.5″W / 27.383417°N 82.558472°W |
| Type | Performing arts center, repertory theatre |
| Opened | January 10, 1958 |
The Asolo Repertory Theatre, also known as Asolo Rep, is a professional theater company in Sarasota, Florida. It's the biggest theatre in Florida that works with the Actors' Equity Association. This is a union for actors and stage managers. It's also the largest repertory theatre in the southeastern United States. A repertory theatre means they have a group of actors who perform different plays.
Asolo Rep has its own group of actors but also invites guest artists. They work closely with Florida State University's special acting program. This program is called the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. The theatre is located in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. This center has several theatres. It is part of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art property. Asolo Rep celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 2008–2009 season.
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History of the Historic Asolo Theatre
The first home for the Asolo Repertory Theatre was a very old theatre from Asolo, Italy. This town is near Venice. An Italian show organizer named Antonio Locatelli ordered it in 1798. The theatre was built in the old audience hall of a castle. This castle belonged to Caterina Cornaro, who was once the Queen of Cyprus.
The theatre is shaped like a horseshoe. It has four levels of private boxes. It was designed to look like another famous Italian theatre, La Fenice. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a great Italian actress named Eleonora Duse performed there often.
In 1930, the Asolo Theatre was taken apart and stored away. In 1949, the director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art found out about the theatre. He thought it would be a perfect addition to the museum. The State of Florida agreed and bought the theatre. It was packed into crates and shipped to Sarasota, Florida.
In 1952, the theatre was put back together in a gallery at the Ringling museum. Later, in the late 1950s, people decided to rebuild it. They wanted to make it possible to stage modern theatre shows. So, the rebuilt theatre combines its historic look with a modern design.
The Asolo Theatre opened on January 10, 1958. Its first show was Die Entführung aus dem Serail, an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The New York City Opera presented the show. Julius Rudel directed and conducted it. Famous singers like Robert Rounseville and Beverly Bower starred in the opera.
The theatre has since moved to another spot on the Ringling grounds. It is now called The Historic Asolo Theatre. The Asolo Repertory Company still performs a few shows there each year. However, it is no longer their main location. Most of their shows are now performed at the Mertz Theatre. This theatre is in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts, which is across the street. The Rep Company also works with other theatre groups, like Miami New Drama.
History of the Mertz Theatre
The Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre also came from another country. It was brought to America from Scotland. There, it was known as the Dunfermline Opera House. The Mertz Theatre was officially opened on January 27, 1990. The 2009–2010 season marked its twentieth anniversary. This was celebrated with a special Scottish-themed event.
Talented Artists
Many talented artists have worked at the Asolo Repertory Theatre over the years. These include actors, directors, and designers. They have all helped make the theatre's shows amazing.
See also
- Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training
