For more than seven decades, Venice Little Theatre, now known as Venice Theatre, has been one of Venice, Florida’s most beloved cultural landmarks. Since opening in 1950, the theatre has grown from a small community performance group into one of the most respected community theatres in the country. Today, Venice Theatre describes itself as the largest community theatre per capita in the United States, with a professional staff, a large volunteer base, and a long record of artistic achievement. (Venice Theatre)

A Community Theatre with Deep Venice Roots

Venice Theatre began as Venice Little Theatre, bringing local performers and audiences together through live stage productions. Its first production, The Torch-Bearers, was performed in 1950, a fitting beginning for a theatre whose mission has always centered on community participation and the joy of live performance. (Scene Sarasota)

In the early years, the theatre reflected the classic “little theatre” movement: local people building sets, acting on stage, volunteering backstage, selling tickets, welcoming guests, and creating something meaningful together. Over time, that small-town spirit grew into a major arts organization serving Venice, Sarasota County, and visitors from across the Gulf Coast.

A major turning point came in the 1970s, when the organization moved into the former Kentucky Military Institute building on Tampa Avenue. According to historical summaries, Venice Theatre acquired the building in 1973, transforming the space into a permanent home for live theatre in downtown Venice. (Wikipedia)

Growth into Venice Theatre

As the organization expanded, the name Venice Little Theatre eventually became Venice Theatre, reflecting its broader reach, larger productions, and growing reputation. The theatre now presents a wide range of programming, including musicals, dramas, comedies, concerts, cabarets, family productions, education programs, and community events. (Visit Venice FL)

Venice Theatre has also become known beyond Florida. It has hosted and participated in major theatre events, including AACTWorldFest, a global community theatre festival presented with the American Association of Community Theatre. The festival is scheduled to return to Venice in June 2026, continuing the theatre’s role as an international gathering place for community theatre. (aact.org)

Resilience After Hurricane Ian

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian caused major damage to Venice Theatre’s building. Rather than stopping, the theatre continued its mission, using temporary spaces and community support to keep performances alive while rebuilding. Coverage from the American Association of Community Theatre described the theatre’s quick commitment to recovery after the storm, while local reporting called it “the little theater that wouldn’t die.” (aact.org)

That resilience is now part of the theatre’s modern history. It reflects the same community spirit that helped Venice Little Theatre begin in 1950 and continue for generations.

Awards and Recognition

Venice Theatre has received many awards over the years for performance, production quality, community impact, and audience popularity. Its awards page lists honors from local publications, regional theatre organizations, and national theatre festivals. (Venice Theatre)

Some notable awards and recognitions include:

• 2019 — Venice Readers’ Choice, 1st Place: Best Local Live Theatre, from the Herald-Tribune.
• 2016 — Venice Readers’ Choice, 1st Place: Best Local Live Performance, from the Herald-Tribune.
• 2016 — Readers’ Choice Award for Classical Entertainment, from the Venice Gondolier Sun.
• 2015 — Readers’ Choice Awards for Live Entertainment and Classical Entertainment, from the Venice Gondolier Sun.
• 2014 — Venice Readers’ Choice, 1st Place: Place to See a Live Performance, from the Herald-Tribune.
• 2013 — Internship Employer of the Year, from Berea College.
• 2010 — Venice Readers’ Choice, 1st Place: Place to See a Live Performance, from the Herald-Tribune.
• 2008 — Venice Readers’ Choice, 1st Place: Place to See a Live Performance, from the Herald-Tribune.
• 2008 — Best of Venice Award: Best Live Performance Venue, from The Venice Gondolier.
• 2003–2004 Season — Best of the Best Award, from Sarasota Magazine.
• 2003–2004 Season — Best Local Live Theatre in Sarasota County, from Watermark.
• 2003 — Special Award for Original Music at the AACT National Festival for The Good Woman of Setzuan.
• 2001 — Best Stage Management at the Southeastern Theatre Conference for Fool for Love.

A Lasting Legacy in Venice

From its beginnings as Venice Little Theatre to its present role as Venice Theatre, this organization has helped define the cultural life of Venice, Florida. Its history is a story of volunteers, artists, audiences, teachers, students, donors, and neighbors working together to keep live theatre thriving.

For residents and visitors alike, Venice Theatre remains more than a place to see a show. It is a landmark of creativity, resilience, and community pride.

Venice Theatre Performances: Last 5 Years

2025–2026 Season

• Don’t Touch That Dial
• Nunsense, A Musical Comedy
• Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show
• The Sound of Music
• The Amish Project
• A Christmas Carol
• Honky Tonk Laundry
• The Rainmaker
• The Cake
• Annie
• How I Learned to Drive
• Winnie-the-Pooh
• Emma
• Pinky’s Players Present Movies from the Heart

The 2025–2026 season listings show productions running from August 2025 through May 2026, including Winnie-the-Pooh, Emma, and Pinky’s Players on the current Venice Theatre events calendar. (Our Town Sarasota)

2024–2025 Season

• My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra
• The Mousetrap
• The Torch Bearers
• Agnes of God
• 9 to 5, The Musical
• Syncopation
• A Christmas Carol
• Venice Laughs
• Don’t Touch That Dial
• Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady
• The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
• The Silver Foxes
• Alice in Wonderland
• The Learned Ladies
• Pinky’s Players

Venice Theatre’s 75th season page lists the 2024–2025 season as running from August 2024 through May 2025 and includes these productions. (Venice Theatre)

2023–2024 Season

• Golf With Alan Shepard
• Reefer Madness
• Pickleball
• The Addams Family
• A Christmas Carol
• Calendar Girls
• The Spitfire Grill
• Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville
• The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On
• Broadway by the Sea
• Bank Job

This lineup is supported by Venice Theatre’s production photo gallery for 2016–2026 and contemporary season coverage noting that the 2023–2024 season used the temporary Raymond Center and Pinkerton Theatre spaces after Hurricane Ian damage. (Sarasota Magazine)

2022–2023 Season

• A Christmas Carol
• Hamlet POV / related festival production activity
• Select performances and recovery programming following Hurricane Ian

This season was disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, which severely damaged Venice Theatre’s mainstage. The theatre continued programming during the rebuilding period, including festival and temporary-space productions. (aact.org)

2021–2022 Season

• John & Jen
• Young Frankenstein
• Getting to Know… Once Upon a Mattress
• An Act of God
• Almost, Maine
• The Mystery of Irma Vep — A Penny Dreadful
• The Great American Trailer Park Musical
• She Kills Monsters — Young Adventurers Edition
• Assisted Living the Musical: The Home for the Holidays
• A Christmas Carol
• Johnny Wild & The Delights’ Christmas Spectacular
• Ain’t Misbehavin’
• Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
• Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
• The Last Five Years
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Blackbird
• Hamlet

Venice Theatre’s past-events archive lists many of the 2021–2022 productions, including Hamlet, To Kill a Mockingbird, Blackbird, The Last Five Years, Beauty and the Beast, Lady Day, and Ain’t Misbehavin’. (audienceaccess.co)