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.
Want a tour?! We'd be happy to take you backstage before your next show...
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
The newly renovated home of The Naples Players is more than just a theater—it's a 45,000+ square foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve artists, audiences, students, and volunteers for generations to come.
Completed in 2024 after years of planning and a carefully phased construction process, the $22 million renovation added over 10,000 square feet of new space while reimagining every corner of the original structure. Today, the building houses three fully equipped performance spaces: the 452-seat Kizzie Theater, the intimate 104-seat Tobye Studio Theater, the flexible Glass Studio Theater with seating for 105 or more; and the Brallahan Studio, for intimate performances with seating up to 50.
Backstage, the transformation is just as impressive. The expanded scene shop spans over 2,000 square feet, with upgraded costume and props shops, dedicated dressing rooms, a volunteer green room, and ADA-compliant catwalks and tension grids to support professional-level productions. More than 5,000 square feet of storage space now supports the careful organization of sets, props, and wardrobe essentials.
Technologically, TNP has elevated every performance with advanced lighting, sound, and control rooms, and created one of the most accessible arts spaces in the country—including a custom-designed Sensory Viewing Booth, wheelchair-accessible seating throughout, and an on-site Access Concierge to assist guests.
As Florida’s only LEED-certified theater, the facility also reflects TNP’s deep commitment to sustainability, with native landscaping, improved stormwater systems, and high-efficiency building systems throughout.
This renovation is more than a milestone—it’s a foundation for the next chapter of artistic excellence, community connection, and cultural leadership in Southwest Florida.
Do you recognize our lobby?
Look at the photo above, and then look to your right. 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...
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, ADA-compliant 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 - to your right - 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.
Naming Opportunities
Naming opportunities ranging from $500 to $5,000,000 are still available! From Solar Power to the Shakespeare Garden, from the Education Wing to the Tension Grids, we can find the best way to honor you or your family.
You can also commemorate your love of the theater, or honor someone special, by making a gift to Name a Seat in one of the three new performing spaces at The Naples Players. Thousands of patrons, volunteers, and other guests will pass through the Kizzie Theater, the Tanya and Denny Glass Educational Theater, and the Price Studio Theater, and your dedication will be evident to all – for years to come. Pricing:
The Kizzie Theater – $1000 to $5000
The Price Studio Theater – $500 to $1000
The Glass Educational Theater – $500
Payment plans:
Want to pay for your seat over several years? No problem. Simply call us to set up a payment plan: 239-263-7990!
