Stage Demolition, Part 3

The re-bar and concrete of the stage is deposited in the lot behind the Opera.

Bare dirt in the theater!

View from the scenery bay looking at where the stage used to be.

From stage, looking into the scenery bay (The auditorium is out of frame to the left).

Stage Demolition, Part 2

Stage Demolition, Part 1

During August, work will begin on the rebuilding of the orchestra pit. This is the first of three posts recapping the demolition of the stage over the last few months. As always, click on each photo for a larger version. enjoy!

Hole in the back wall of the theater

Company Manager Sarah Thomas contemplates the new hole cut in the back wall of the theater for equipment access at the start of construction in March.

One Goes Up, One Goes Down

As work progresses on the Opera House, the nearby Sarasota Quay is demolished.

Measure twice, cut once

The construction crew makes sure they get it right while working on the McCorkle Lounge concession.

Blue Skies

Re-roofing the Opera House in May.

Stripped Balcony

Back on May 4, Major Gifts Officer Jennifer Berges came into the theater and took some fantastic shots of the balcony steel using her digital camera.

Sarasota Opera Awarded Kresge Grant

Sarasota Opera has reached a major milestone in our "Building on the Vision" Capital Campaign with the award of a $500,000 challenge grant by the Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan. The grant is made towards the renovation of the historic Sarasota Opera House and is contingent upon our reaching its $20 million renovation goal by June of 2008.

Read the Sarasota Opera Press Release and more about this at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Bradenton Herald.

New skylight frame

On June 19 a new frame was installed for the skylight. It is now wrapped with a blue tarp, giving the whole atrium a blue glow.

Renovation Recap #6: Opening up the atrium

In the three photos below, you can see the framework between the second and third floor being removed, the open atrium with a temporary cover where the skylight will be, and a final shot of the atrium open to the sky.

Renovation Recap #5: Skylight demolition

In April, the old skylight, which was installed after a hurricane in the late 1920's, was finally retired to make way for a new skylight which meets current building codes.

Youth Opera sings its way through Tuscany

Youth Opera member Zoë Fry recaps the Youth Opera's exciting trip to Tuscany in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Renovation Recap #4: Chandelier removal

One of the main features of the Opera House pre-renovation was the chandelier in the lobby. Early on, it was taken down and put into storage to make way for the opening of the three story atrium. Have no fear though, it will be rehung in a new location in time for the reopening of the Opera House in March of 2008.

Renovation Recap #3: Theater March 19 to May 24

The theater from March 19 - May 24

March 19, 2007

March 21, 2007

March 27, 2007

April 17, 2007

April 24, 2007

May 24, 2007

Renovation Recap #2: Seats come out!

Happy 4th,
The morning after Red Carpet Weekend, the theater seats started to be removed. Within four or five days the theater was empty, and looking a lot smaller.

Renovation Recap #1: Red Carpet Weekend

Since we have thousands of photos from the past few months, I though it would be best to dedicate the next few posts to recapping some highlights of the renovation to date.

On March 3-4, 2007 Sarasota Opera threw a weekend long celebration to mark the closing of the Opera House for renovations. The events culminated on the evening of March 4 with a special dinner for leading supporters of the Building on the Vision campaign, followed by the Spring Gala Concert. The concert showcased music from throughout the history of Sarasota Opera's life in the Opera House and concluded with a stage breaking in front of the capacity crowd. To cap the evening, everyone returned to the tent in front of the Opera House for one final toast!


L to R: Place settings at the RCW dinner, guests under the tent, Executive Director Susan Danis welcoming everyone to the celebration


L to R: Maestro Victor DeRenzi getting ready to break the stage as patrons look on, Singers and donors join in a final performance of Verdi's "Va, pensiero", Harvey Hinrich takes a swing at the stage while Virginia Toulmin and board member Betsy Hinrichs look on.


L to R: Stage Director Stephanie Sundine at the Afterglow Party, Mattison's bananas Foster flambe crepe station, Board member John Elliott

Photos all taken by Pat Hansberry and Melanie Mckeever.