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, or Asolo Rep, is a professional theater company in Sarasota, Florida. It is the largest "Equity" theater in Florida. Equity means it works with the Actors' Equity Association, a union for actors and stage managers. Asolo Rep is also the biggest "repertory theatre" in the southeastern United States. A repertory theatre performs several different plays or shows in one season.
Asolo Rep has its own group of actors but also invites guest artists. It works closely with Florida State University's acting program. This program is called the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. The theater is located in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. This center is a large complex with many theaters. It is on the property of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The 2008–2009 season was Asolo Rep's 50th anniversary.
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History of the Historic Asolo Theatre
The first home for the Asolo Repertory Theatre was a very old theater. It was originally in a town called Asolo, in Italy. This town is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Venice. An Italian show organizer, Antonio Locatelli, ordered it to be built in 1798. The theater was placed inside the old castle of Caterina Cornaro. She was once the Queen of Cyprus.
This theater has a special horse-shoe shape. It has four levels of seating boxes. Its design was inspired by a famous opera house called 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 heard about the theater. He thought it would be a perfect addition to the museum. The State of Florida agreed and bought the theater. It was packed into crates and shipped all the way to Sarasota, Florida.
By 1952, the theater was set up in a gallery at the Ringling museum. In the late 1950s, people decided to rebuild the theater. They wanted it to be able to host modern theater performances. So, the rebuilt theater combines its historic look with a modern design.
The Asolo Theatre first opened its doors on January 10, 1958. The first show was an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart called Die Entführung aus dem Serail. The New York City Opera presented this show. Julius Rudel directed and conducted the performance.
The historic theater has since moved to another spot on the Ringling grounds. It is now known as The Historic Asolo Theatre. The Asolo Repertory Company still performs a few shows there each year. However, it is no longer their main stage. Most of their shows are now performed at the Mertz Theatre. This theater is part of the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts, which is across the street. The Asolo Rep also works with other theater companies. For example, they have worked with Miami New Drama at the Colony Theatre.
History of the Mertz Theatre
The Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre also came from far away. It was brought to America from Scotland. There, it was known as the Dunfermline Opera House. Architects Swanston and Davison built it in 1921.
In the 1980s, the opera house was taken apart to make room for a shopping mall. After being stored for more than ten years, it was brought to Florida. It was carefully put back together to become a working professional playhouse. A Scottish architect, James Dunbar-Nasmith, who had saved the building's interior years before, helped with this.
The Mertz Theatre was officially opened on January 27, 1990. The Provost of Dunfermline and Elizabeth Mertz were there for the dedication. The 2009–2010 season marked its twentieth anniversary. This was celebrated with a Scottish-themed event in January.
Artists Who Have Worked at Asolo Rep
Many talented actors, directors, and designers have worked at the Asolo Repertory Theatre over the years. They have helped create amazing shows for audiences.
See also
- Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training
