2024 Renovation
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The Story of TNP’s Transformation
In 1998, The Naples Players opened the doors to the Sugden Community Theatre in partnership with the City of Naples, anchoring what was then a struggling downtown. The facility quickly became a cultural cornerstone, igniting the revival of 5th Avenue South and helping to shape the vibrant arts scene we know today. For more than 25 years, this building served as a hub for performances, education, and community gathering—but as Naples grew, so did the demands on the space.
In 2023, TNP launched the most ambitious project in its history: a $22 million renovation and expansion designed not just to restore the aging building, but to reimagine what a modern community theater could be. Backed by generous donors and community partners, the project added over 10,000 square feet of new space, including a third theater dedicated to education and wellness programming. A new balcony expanded mainstage seating, while state-of-the-art upgrades improved acoustics, lighting, and accessibility across the entire venue. The facility was completed in 2024.
New features include the nation’s only Sensory Viewing Booth, new efficiency initiatives, and improved patron amenities—such as larger lobbies, a volunteer lounge, café, rehearsal studios, and expanded costume and scene shops. Every improvement reflects a commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and community connection.
The Naples Players is Florida’s only LEED-certified theater, modeling energy efficiency and environmental stewardship at the heart of downtown. This transformation wasn’t just about brick and mortar—it was about honoring TNP’s legacy while creating a space ready to serve the next generation of artists, students, and theater lovers in Southwest Florida.
That work has already earned national recognition. In 2025, the renovation received the Grand Aurora Award for design and construction excellence, including top honors for sustainability and adaptive reuse. These awards celebrate the project’s innovation, its thoughtful integration into the historic character of downtown, and the way it balances modern performance technology with a welcoming, human experience. The Grand Aurora is the highest distinction in a field that spans hundreds of projects across 12 southeastern states, making this recognition a clear signal that our theater stands among the very best.
But our story isn't done! You can play a part in our exciting future...
Do you recognize our lobby?
Look at the photo above, and then look at the photo below. Do they seem like the same view? Believe it or not, they are! This is just one of the dramatic transformations that happened during our renovation...
Fly-through Construction
This renovation wasn’t just a facelift—it was a rebuild from the inside out. Nearly every wall, floor, and system within the original facility was carefully demolished and reconstructed, allowing us to replace aging infrastructure with modern, sustainable, and fully accessible design.
From below the foundation to the rafters above, the building was reimagined to better serve our artists, audiences, and community for decades to come.
Facility Fast Facts
- 45,000+ square foot, state-of-the-art performing arts facility
- $22 million renovation completed in 2024
- Added more than 10,000 square feet of new space
- Designed to support artists, audiences, students, and volunteers for generations
Performance Venues
- Kizzie Theater: 452 seats
- Tobye Studio Theater: 104 seats
- Glass Studio Theater: flexible seating for 105+
- Brallahan Studio: intimate space for up to 50 guests
Backstage and Production Enhancements
- Expanded scene shop over 2,000 square feet
- Upgraded costume and props shops
- Dedicated dressing rooms and volunteer lounge
- Accessible catwalks and tension grids
Technology and Accessibility
- Advanced lighting, sound, and control systems throughout
- Nation's Only Sensory-Friendly Viewing Booth
- Wheelchair-accessible seating across all venues
- On-site Access Concierge to assist patrons
Sustainability
- Florida’s only LEED-certified theater
- Native landscaping and improved stormwater systems
- High-efficiency building systems that reduce energy use and operational costs
Champions of Our Future
This remarkable transformation was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of our donors, whose belief in the power of community theatre turned vision into reality. Their support fueled every innovation, every new space, and every improvement that now welcomes our audiences, artists, and students each day. These partners invested not only in a building, but in the future of arts, education, and community in Naples. We are proud to honor them here, where their impact will be felt on stage and throughout this vibrant cultural home for generations.
What Was Included?
Our New Patron Spaces
☕ Welcoming Lobby & Café
Our bright, glass-enclosed lobby features a public café—perfect for relaxing before a show or catching up with friends in the heart of downtown.
🎟 Redesigned Box Office
Now more convenient than ever, our new box office is integrated into the lobby—making it easy to purchase tickets or ask questions while enjoying the space.
📚 Second-Floor Library
Explore a curated collection of scripts and theater books—open to patrons, students, and curious visitors.
🌇 Rooftop Terrace
Take in the views from our rooftop terrace, available to donors.
New Spaces for Our Volunteers
💼 Usher Lounge
A comfortable and private space just for our usher volunteers—perfect for relaxing, preparing, or catching up with fellow team members before or after your shift.
🎭 Green Room
Designed for cast, crew, and volunteers, our green room offers a private space to unwind, reset, and feel at home backstage. Our newly renovated dressing rooms provide performers with spacious, comfortable, and accessible areas to prepare for each show.
💡 Thoughtful Design
With improved lighting, personal storage, and updated amenities, these spaces are designed to support focus, creativity, and ease backstage.
🤝 Built with Appreciation
These new spaces are a reflection of how much we value our volunteers—providing the comfort, community, and support they deserve.
Expanded Technical Spaces
🧵 Costume & Props Shops
Our new workshops give designers and volunteers the space and tools to craft costumes and props with greater efficiency, detail, and creativity. The 3rd Floor costume shop features a glass "curtain wall" for viewing fabric in natural lights.
🛠 Scene Shop
The expanded scene shop allows for the safe, professional construction of sets—supporting larger productions and quicker turnarounds between shows.
🎚 Control Rooms
Newly upgraded lighting and sound control rooms give our technicians enhanced capabilities to deliver crisp, immersive theatrical experiences.
⚙️ Tension Grids & Catwalks
With wider catwalks and professional tension grids, our backstage infrastructure is safer, more flexible, and built for modern technical demands.
Project Design & Construction Team
The original and renovation design & construction teams are listed in the lobby along the wall of the Price Theater, heading toward the entrance to the Kizzie Theater. Many members of the original team were retained 25 years later for the renovation.
Leave your mark!
Naming Opportunities
Supporters can leave a lasting mark on the theater’s future through a range of naming opportunities that celebrate their generosity in meaningful ways. From public spaces and production equipment to classrooms and artistic programs, these recognitions connect donors directly to the experiences they help create. One of the most personal ways to participate is through our "Name-A-Seat" program, which allows donors to place their name or honor a loved one on a seat in one of our theaters.
