A REIMAGINED CULTURAL HUB

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE LAUNCHES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO REDESIGN CULTURAL CENTER

by Morgan Cole

From avant-garde, thought-provoking productions and beloved theatrical classics to children’s productions and everything in between, Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) has been providing diverse cultural experiences in Northwest Florida for more than 30 years.

The humble beginnings of PLT date back to 1926 when a group of individuals at the old San Carlos Hotel established the Pensacola Civic Drama Players organization which performed dramatic theatre for three years before the onset of the Great Depression. In 1936, after a period of “dark years,” the organization was established through the Works Progress Administration, which provided funding to create theatre companies across the country as part of the federal government’s recovery efforts following the Great Depression. The new organization became officially incorporated one year later as Pensacola Little Theatre, Inc.

Early performances were held in the old Chamber Commerce auditorium and later at Pensacola High School, until 1949 when the theatre's Board of Directors developed a plan for a home that PLT could call its own. In January of 1952, PLT hosted its first show in a World War II-era Quonset. The theatre’s all-volunteer productions continued there through the 1970s. After more than two decades, the Quonset hut began to deteriorate and the Board of Directors felt that renovations would be too costly, so they began to search for a new home for the theatre. In 1977, the Quonset building was sold, and PLT moved into the old Florida Movie House on Palafox Street, but board members and devoted volunteers never gave up the dream of moving the theatre into its own home again.

Through a commissioned study, PLT later found that numerous local arts organizations had similar needs. After convincing the Escambia County Commissioners that a central location with space and facilities for existing and new arts groups was needed, PLT was awarded the deed to the old Escambia County Court of Records Building and Jail. Constructed in 1911, the long-abandoned landmark was renovated into what is now the Pensacola Cultural Center and in 1996, PLT proudly hosted its first production— The Wizard of Oz—in its new permanent home at the Pensacola Cultural Center in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

Today, the non-profit community theatre serves as a cultural gathering space for the community and is host to numerous musicals, comedies, dramas, children’s shows, youth acting classes as well as a

Rendering of a view of the renovated Clark Family Cultural Center. Courtesy of PLT/ Carter Quina

variety of volunteer opportunities and missionbased fundraisers throughout the year.

The cultural center remains PLT’s permanent home for its ambitious annual mainstage production schedule. Armed with a mission to use the theatrical experience to enhance the cultural agenda of our community and develop future generations of performers and patrons of the arts, PLT continues to serve as a mecca of local volunteerism and cultural opportunity for individuals from all walks of life.

In early December of 2021, PLT announced the launch of a $3 million capital campaign to redesign the Pensacola Cultural Center following a generous $1 million donation from the family of Dave and Cynthia Clark, who are long-time supporters of the theatre. In honor of the family’s gift, the cultural center will be renamed The Clark Family Cultural Center.

“The Clark family’s $1 million gift was introduced to the public by the unveiling of an outdoor digital graffiti display, live indoor performances and confetti-filled presentation of digital renderings of the facility’s proposed renovations,” PLT Executive Director Sid Williams-Heath said. “The Clark’s ties to the theatre and interest in redesigning our home to create a grander sense of arrival to Pensacola while providing a home for the arts, motivated their generosity.”

This contribution serves as the kick-off to the theatre’s newly-announced capital campaign to raise funds to renovate the Pensacola Cultural Center to include new gathering spaces, an art gallery and a rooftop lounge boasting views of Pensacola Bay.

“So far, the theatre is a little more than halfway to its goal, including 100 percent participation amongst the PLT Board of Trustees,” Williams-Heath said.

The idea was driven by the board of directors and was formalized in part with local branding experts at idgroup, which the theatre has worked with for the past year through funding from their ‘Brand on Us’ grant. The grant is awarded to one local non-profit each year and has been instrumental in helping PLT tell its story and develop awareness throughout the capital campaign. Williams-Heath explained that the campaign centers on the renaming of our city’s cultural hub—The Clark Family Cultural Center, affectionately known as The Center.

“From funding the original multi-million dollar adaptive reuse of the building in the late 80s to paying off the mortgage in 2009, the theatre’s resilience continued,” WilliamsHeath explained. “The next goal of the theatre

Rendering of a view of the new rooftop lounge atop the Clark Family Cultural Center. Courtesy of PLT/Carter Quina.

Illustrated rendering of redesigned theatre space at the Clark Family Cultural Center. Courtesy of Pensacola Little Theatre.

A REIMAGINED CULTURAL HUB

was to fund an endowment, which was successful through 2010. In 2018, the organization began to replace its entire roof, air-conditioning units, fire escape and rigging systems in preparation for the new campaign. So while the renovations have been ongoing, this reimagination of the building is a complete redesign to better suit the cultural climate and progression of Pensacola and its people.”

The $3 million in renovations to the Clark Family Cultural Center will include:

• Rooftop venue: water-front, roof-top terrace, lounge and performance space

• Theatre overhaul: Upgraded seat upholstering, lighting, flooring, color palette and acoustics

• Atrium redesign: collaborative gathering hub and public parlor

• Courtroom enhancements: new paint and drapery, versatile illumination and accessibility to the building’s exterior for increased capacity and flow

• Gallery repurposing: installation of art gallery hanging system to showcase fine art, removal of the drop ceiling and a restroom renovation

• Building-wide installations: selfguided tours throughout The Center showcasing the history of the building alongside various displays of art, culture and heritage

• Terrezza expansion: entryway addition to allow seamless interior and exterior access to the building’s old courtroom to better accommodate private events

“From the flow of the building, the acoustics of each room, the ability to collaborate in public parlors for drawing inspiration, the installation of self-guided history tours and the New York City aesthetic to complement and match the big-city talent of our artists - this renovation means growth, sustainability, and excellence for everyone we represent,” Williams-Heath explained. “By supporting our vision, that means you are preserving an iconic staple of the community while investing in the future of creativity and culture.” The theater will continue its fundraising efforts well into 2022 as they prepare to celebrate their 85th season this coming July. The Center is expected to remain operational as construction kicks off in December 2022. The theatre’s renovation will be the largest interior portion of the project, which will begin the day after PLT’s final holiday performance. Construction on the rooftop venue will follow shortly after, with a scheduled completion date of January 2023. “The community helped us create the Cultural Center 30 years ago, and now we humbly ask for your support - big or small - to help expand that vision and secure our legacy—your legacy,” Williams-Heath said.

For more information on the project and how to get involved, visit findyourcenterpensacola.com. •

Dave and Cynthia Clark present the Pensacola Cultural Center with a $1 million check. Courtesy of Kristina Wright/Pensacola Little Theatre.

Illustrated rendering of the newly-designed atrium at the Clark Family Cultural Center. Courtesy of Pensacola Little Theatre.