A new community theater is rising in south Fort Myers. And founders say New Phoenix Theatre will focus on diversity, more roles for women and — most of all — an entertaining and enlightening first season.
“We feel like this is the beginning of something fresh and new for all of us,” says actor and co-founder Lori Riti. “We all come from previous experiences in the theater — some good and some not so good. So this is a chance for us to be reborn.”
The theater’s seven founders are actors and directors who’ve worked together at Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral and The Laboratory Theatre of Florida in downtown Fort Myers.
New Phoenix Theatre will be located inside a former gym in the same McGregor Boulevard plaza as The Melting Pot and First Watch, just north of Cypress Lake Drive. Construction has already started on the 5,000-square-foot space, including the installation of new walls and plumbing.
“It’s totally gutted,” says board president Brenda Kensler. “It’s a fresh build inside. It will be totally new.”
The theater will seat about 100 people for its plays and musicals. But Kensler says that can expand to about 300 for standing-room-only shows such as concerts (something else they’re looking to do).
Organizers announced the theater's upcoming season at an invitation-only event last month. The 2018-2019 season is expected to open in October with the drama “Marvin’s Room.” That will be followed by “Inspecting Carol” (December), “The Shadow Box” (January), “La Cage Aux Folles” (March), “Quartet” (May) and “Rumors” (June).
Ticket sales and specific show dates are expected to be announced later this year.
New Phoenix's founders say they want to bring more diversity to local theater, including more roles for women. “Theaters don’t always choose works that allow women more opportunities," Riti says.
In another nod to diversity, the theater stage will have a mechanical lift. “If you’re an actor in a wheelchair, you can get on our stage,” Kensler says. “I’m excited about the acceptance that you will find at this theater.”
The theater is being funded by both its founders and donations. Kensler didn’t have an exact figure yet on the cost of building New Phoenix Theatre.
Organizers expect to draw actors, audience members and volunteers from Fort Myers, Cape Coral and beyond. Auditions will be held later this year.
The theater project officially got started last year, but its founders say they’ve been talking about opening their own place for years.
“It’s a dream,” Kensler says. “It’s a dream to have your own theater and to do it the way you want to do it.”
To learn more about the theater, visit newphoenixtheatrefortmyers.org or facebook.com/New-Phoenix-Theatre-146636656030073.
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)