FSU / Asolo Conservatory For Actor Training Completes Renovation of Cook Theatre

Photo by Jonathan Courtemanche

In November, the Florida State University Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training has finally completed the largest part of the renovation of the Cook Theatre, which houses not only the performance season for the Conservatory but also provides a home for local arts organizations, including Banyan Theatre Company, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, and Theatre Odyssey. Built in 1995, the Cook Theatre has not received upgrades since it first opened. Thanks to very generous grants from the Community Foundation of Sarasota and The Selby Foundation and a very successful response from the community to the annual Giving Challenge, more than $62,000 was donated to the Conservatory, allowing for complete upgrades to the lighting system, recarpeting and repainting of the auditorium, and complete refurbishment of the proscenium arch.   In December, the final stage of refurbishment, refinishing of the wood floors in the auditorium, will be completed, and on December 30, the Conservatory production of David Ives’ The Liar will open in the newly revitalized Cook Theatre.