The Players Centre Honors Long-Time Board of Trustees Chair Donna DeFant

November 18, 2022 – Sarasota

The Players Centre congratulates immediate past-chair Donna DeFant on her long and impactful run as head of the Board of Trustees.  

Donna DeFant started at the Players Centre in 2010 acting on stage in musicals and plays. She also lent her time and talent backstage as a dresser, as a stitcher in the costume shop and prop mistress for several of The Players Broadway Series Shows. Donna was Assistant Director for 12 productions and directed two plays over the years including an outdoor adaptation of Spoon River Anthology.  

In 2013 she joined the Board of Trustees, in 2015 became Secretary, and in 2017 the Chair of the Board of Trustees and continued for the next five years. DeFant helped The Players navigate through the sale of its former home, Covid-19 and the conversion of its temporary space in The Crossings at Siesta Key mall.  

The Players would like to thank DeFant for her unwavering support and tenacity in guiding Sarasota’s original theatre through the many challenges of the past few years. Her strength has allowed this community staple to continue providing visitors and locals with life-changing theatre experiences.  

Donna will continue as a Trustee in the capacity as Immediate Past Chair for the 93rd season along with Bill Porter as Chair, Bill Rusling as Vice Chair, Sarah Glendening as Secretary, Joe Kaminksy as Treasurer, Tom Tollette as Vice Treasurer, and the following trustees: Brian McCarthy, Tracey Coakes and Amy Weinberger. The Player Centre Advisory Council for the 93rd season is: Michael Brown, Terry Kozlowski, Dawnyelle Singleton, Barry Godin and student board member Fontaine Chambers.