Member Spotlight: Sunrise Theatre
Written by: Willi Miller
The Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce has had a long and eventful history and it shows no sign of changing its course. When it opened 96 years ago, it was the largest theatre on the east coast of Florida. It was the main attraction for anything that was happening culturally until the early 1980s when downtowns faced challenges they couldn’t overcome. Added to that was a commitment not to convert the historic building into a movie theater.
Later the same decade, Main Street Fort Pierce came to be and decided the Sunrise Theatre had to be rescued for the sake of the city. A massive effort that spanned almost two decades brought it to its January 6, 2006, grand reopening. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Pierce, the theatre is its beautiful old self and at the same time a state-of-the-art facility that seats 1,200 in the main area and has a smaller Black Box Theatre for smaller events, including the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society’s Jazz Jams and Comedy Corner.
Anne Satterlee, marketing director for the Sunrise Theatre, explained that one mandate for the renovations was to “maintain the ‘historic’ look and feel of the original theatre. The building was listed on the historic register prior to renovations, so all modifications and additions had to be approved per historic guidelines.”
Added to the original 25,000 sq. ft. was a new construction of 20,000 sq. ft. to create what is now a popular multi-functional downtown facility. Satterlee said, “These new additions were adding stage space, retail on the first floor (which is now the Black Box) and the second-floor bar, dressing rooms, and catering area.”
Programs booked into the Sunrise Theatre can be rentals or in-house programming. Rentals happen mostly in the spring and summer, Satterlee said. In season, more than 50 percent of audiences are from out of the county.
The biggest draws are the big-name legacy acts: Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Jay Leno, Johnny Mathis, Beach Boys, Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band, and others.
Memberships that offer early-ticket purchase perks are available and single tickets go on sale to the public later. Ticketing can be done online but Satterlee said most tickets are sold in person or by phone.
Erick Gill, communications director for St. Lucie County and a former employee of Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, said
“I know first-hand how important a theater is to the economic engine of a downtown. … Having a performing arts space that hosts events that appeal to all ages is not only important to the community’s quality of life, but it also plays a huge part in bringing tourists and out-of-town dollars into your city.”
Erick Gill, Director of Communications, St. Lucie County
On Gill’s personal wishlist, the Allman Betts Band coming in October.
For information: Call the Box Office at 772-461-4775 or visit sunrisetheatre.com.
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