Asolo Rep Achieves Phase I Fundraising Goal

February 16, 2022 – Sarasota

Asolo Repertory Theatre has reached its goal for Phase I of the Staging Our Future Capital/Endowment Campaign and is well into construction. Phase I covers a new structure at the Robert and Beverly Koski Center on Tallevast Road, including the Margot and Warren Coville Rehearsal Hall and other new spaces vital to the Asolo Rep strategic plan for advancing artistic excellence, expanding educational and community enrichment programs, and evolving Asolo Rep revenue streams.

“To see the way our artistic and engagement programs consistently reach our highest standards while continuing to evolve—we just couldn’t be more proud of our team and our community,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “But we’ve reached a point where we’ve outgrown our existing infrastructure, and we need these new spaces to continue to support our growth and vision for the future.”

New construction is set to be completed on schedule in June 2022. Details on a ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow shortly.

Fundraising for Phase II of the campaign has begun, with $7 million remaining to complete the next leg of the project. Phase II will fund necessary renovations to the existing Koski Center buildings, providing comprehensive creative infrastructure that includes additional rehearsal space, classrooms, studios, physical therapy and medical support facilities, artistic offices, and a dedicated on-site suite for costume fitting, construction and storage.

“We haven’t been sitting still for the past two years,” Campaign Co-Chair Ann Charters noted. “Our wonderful architects, Sweet Sparkman, and contractor, Tandem Construction, have been hard at work this whole time. Phase I construction is coming in on time and on budget.”

The total project budget for Staging Our Future is $21 million, including a $5 million endowment for operating expenses for the new and newly renovated spaces. Asolo Rep has currently raised 85% of this endowment goal.

“Despite the pandemic, support for this campaign has never wavered,” Asolo Rep Managing Director Linda DiGabriele observed. “Our community champions recognized early on that this project will not only increase our creative capacity, but also drive robust economic activity in the region. In season, Asolo Rep employs more than 100 actors, designers, artisans, stage managers, educators and more.”

As of February 10, 2022, more than 90 generous donors have contributed to the Staging Our Future Campaign: 

Anonymous, Peggy Allen and Steve Dixon Edward and June LeBell Alley, Patricia and Richard Anderson, Pat and Bob Baer, Ron Banyay, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Bob and Beverly Bartner, Gerald and Sondra Biller, Terry O. Brackett, Mary Braxton-Joseph and Ambassador James Joseph, Susan and Jim Buck, Elizabeth Butler and the Gary Butler Family Foundation, Lynn Chancer, Tom and Ann Charters, Community Foundation of Sarasota County President’s Fund, William Cotter, Margot and Warren Coville, Carole Crosby/Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Family Foundation, Steve and Wilma Davidson, Linda DiGabriele and Gary Sweetman, Henny and Dennis Dirks, Elizabeth Dodt, Michael Donald Edwards, L’Tanya Evans, Robert and Iris Fanger, Shirley Fein, Kathleen France, Herman and Sharon Frankel, Allie Freedman, Edward T. Gardner and Liza J. McKeever-Gardner, Carol Gilbert and Matty Matheson, Jerome Goldstein/Goldstein Family Foundation, David and Linda Green, Ron and Rita Greenbaum, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Debbie and Larry Haspel, Angel Hissom, George and Judith Hofmann, Richard Huber/Huber Family Foundation, Charlie Huisking/Huisking Family Foundation, Daniel Idzik and Kathleen Osborne, Marlene Isaacs, Barbara Jacob, Mike and Roxie Jerde, Dr. Randell Johnson and Bobby Jensen, Deb Kabinoff, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Kauffman, Francis M. Kelly, Carolyn Keystone and Jim Meekison, The Koffman Family, Beverly Koski, Ruth Kreindler, Ivan and Marilyn Kushen, David and Lucie Lapovsky, Shari Lazarus, James and Benjamin Luczak, Flora Major, Randy and Susan Mallitz, Nancy Markle, Tom and Paula McInerney, Joyce F. Menschel, Janet Michaelson, Harriet Morgan, Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth, John and Antje Munroe, Sean and Melanie Natarajan, Dr. Paul E. Nelson and Dr. Judy C. Pearson, Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County, David Peterson, Lee and Bob Peterson, Peter and Joanne Powers, Tom and Jane Rattigan, Flori Roberts, Maurice Richards and Jack Kesler, Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees, The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Stephanie Shaw and Dr. Stan Pastor, Mort Siegel, Ted and Mary Ann Simon, Nannette Sloan, Wes and Nancy Stukenberg, Hobart and Janis Swan, David and Beth Swirnow, Mike and Madelyn Tetmeyer, Jim and Michal Wadsworth, Eileen Walker Watts, Leon and Marysue Wechsler, Susan and Charles Wilson, Edward and Mary Lou Winnick, Margaret Wise, Joan H. Wood, Geri and Ron Yonover, Judy Zuckerberg and George Kole.

Learn more about the Staging Our Future Campaign

Those interested in scheduling a tour or learning more about becoming a part of this campaign and the Asolo Rep mission should contact Development Director Benjamin Luczak at benjamin_luczak@asolo.org.