>> FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS, THE FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATER HAS ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO THE DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS AREA. BUT RIGHT NOW, ITS FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN. TICKET SALES ALONE. DON’T BALANCE THE BUDGET. >> NEW AT 7, I GOT AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE IMPACT THE THEATER HAS ON OUR COMMUNITY AND THE CHALLENGES THEY’RE WORKING TO OVERCOME IN THE YEARS AHEAD. IF YOU’VE BEEN TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS, YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN THE HISTORICAL OUR GATE THEATRE SIGN. IT’S PRETTY HARD TO MISS. >> AUDIENCES HAVE WALKING THROUGH THESE DOORS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. >> INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN LIKE MALEY ADAMS. I’M REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE LOVE BEING A FELON AT AND T SHI AND NEARLY 400 OTHER STUDENTS ARE HERE FOR AN EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE. LOOKED INTEREST INTRODUCING YOUNG MINDS LIKE MILO HUFFMAN’S TO THE MAGIC OF THE STAGE TO HE’S NO STRANGER TO PERFORMING FOR PLAY. >> AND YOU GET KIND NERVOUS. BUT LIKE LIKELY TO START SOON. AND SOLOMON, IT’S LIKE YOU’RE CALM AND YOU’RE FINE. WE’RE GLAD I’M SORRY. >> FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATER IS A NONPROFIT THEATER AND YES, WE SELL TICKETS. WE SELL LOTS OF TICKETS. THIS THEATER WILL BE FULL OF ALMOST 100, 400 HAPPY CHILDREN TODAY SEEING SHOW BUT TICKET SALES ALONE. DON’T BALANCE THE BUDGET. CHRIS FARRELL IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATER. THE STATE OF FLORIDA COMPLETELY CUT FUNDING FOR THE ARTS 2 YEARS AGO. THEY BROUGHT BACK A SMIDGEN OF IT LAST YEAR, BUT VERY, VERY LITTLE. SO IN ESSENCE, WE GONE 2 YEARS WITHOUT FUNDING. GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS. >> TOOK AWAY FUNDING FOR THE ARTS IN 2024. GULF COAST NEWS TOLD YOU GOVERNOR DESANTIS TOOK AWAY MORE THAN 32 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE ART STATEWIDE. AT THAT TIME, THE GOVERNOR BLAMED THE CUTS ON FRINGE FESTIVALS. ON TOP OF THAT, WE’RE STILL OUT OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC. >> COMBINED THAT UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE 3 HURRICANES AND HIS MANY YEARS. >> SO HE AND HIS TEAM WORK YEAR-ROUND TO RAISE FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATER BRINGS 100,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS. THREE-QUARTERS OF THOSE PEOPLE SHOP AND DINE DOWNTOWN IN RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. >> CONTRIBUTING TO A VIBRANT CULTURAL EXPERIENCE DOWNTOWN. PLUS, NOT ONLY IS THAT THE FIRST EXPOSURE TO THEATER FOR MANY OF THESE KIDS, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. >> YOU HAVE RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AS ARE ACTING AND TURNS AND OTHER INTERNS BACKSTAGE WHO ARE LEARNING ABOUT THEATER AND GROWING THEIR CAREERS REACHING MORE THAN 35,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES EACH YEAR THROUGH CAMPS, CLASSES, SCHOOL VISITS AND CONSERVATORY PROGRAMS. YEAH, I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD GET LIKE A CHANCE. A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE OVER THE LAST CENTURY HERE HAS LIKE SO PEOPLE LIKE HAVE IT FULL DATA BEFORE AND IT’S IT. >> FOR ME, PEOPLE SHOULD THAT GIRLS FELT FOR FOOD. >> AND, YOU KNOW, THE FLORIDA REP IS HOLDING ITS 28TH ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA CELEBRATION LATER THIS MONTH. ALICE, AND I’LL BE THERE. I’M SAYING IT’S COMING UP THIS WEEK AND CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? GULF COAST NEWS AS A SPONSOR REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT? WE’RE ALSO GOING TO INCLUDE A LINK TO LEND YOUR SUPPORT AND LEARN MO
Florida Repertory Theatre works to overcome funding challenges; how you can help
Updated: 8:35 PM EDT Mar 23, 2026
The Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers is facing financial challenges due to state funding cuts, impacting its ability to continue enriching the community through arts and education. Ticket sales alone don’t balance the budget, said Chris Verrill, executive director of Florida Rep. The theatre, a nonprofit organization, attracts nearly 100,000 people annually, contributing significantly to the local economy as visitors shop and dine in nearby establishments.The theatre’s financial woes are compounded by the state of Florida’s decision to cut funding for the arts two years ago, with only minimal funding restored last year. Gulf Coast News reported Governor Ron DeSantis removed more than $32 million from arts funding statewide in 2024, attributing the cuts to fringe festivals. WATCH OUR REPORTING FROM 2024 BELOW: Additionally, the theatre is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and three hurricanes in recent years. Despite these challenges, the Florida Repertory Theatre continues to enrich the community by reaching over 35,000 young people and families each year through camps, classes, school visits, and conservatory programs. Students like Maelee Adams and Mylo Huffman are among those who benefit from educational performances, experiencing the magic of the stage for the first time. “I’m really excited because I’ve loved theatre for a long time,” Adams said. Huffman shared his experience, saying, “Like before a play you get kind of nervous, but, like, once you’re, like, once you start singing, it’s like you’re calm and you’re fine. You’re glad that you sang it.”Verrill emphasized the importance of the theatre’s role in the community, stating, “Florida Repertory Theatre brings 100,000 people every year to downtown Fort Myers. Three-quarters of those people shop and dine downtown in restaurants and shops.” He added, “Not only is that the first exposure to theatre for many of these kids, which is a beautiful thing. You have recent college graduates as our acting interns and other interns backstage who are learning about theatre and growing their careers.”The Florida Rep. is set to hold its 28th annual benefit and gala celebration later this month, aiming to raise funds to support its mission and upcoming season. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
The Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers is facing financial challenges due to state funding cuts, impacting its ability to continue enriching the community through arts and education.
Ticket sales alone don’t balance the budget, said Chris Verrill, executive director of Florida Rep. The theatre, a nonprofit organization, attracts nearly 100,000 people annually, contributing significantly to the local economy as visitors shop and dine in nearby establishments.
Kirk Erwin
Chris Verrill, Executive Director of Florida Rep., talks with Channing Frampton about sustaining the theatre
The theatre’s financial woes are compounded by the state of Florida’s decision to cut funding for the arts two years ago, with only minimal funding restored last year. Gulf Coast News reported Governor Ron DeSantis removed more than $32 million from arts funding statewide in 2024, attributing the cuts to fringe festivals.
WATCH OUR REPORTING FROM 2024 BELOW:
Additionally, the theatre is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and three hurricanes in recent years.
Despite these challenges, the Florida Repertory Theatre continues to enrich the community by reaching over 35,000 young people and families each year through camps, classes, school visits, and conservatory programs.
Students like Maelee Adams and Mylo Huffman are among those who benefit from educational performances, experiencing the magic of the stage for the first time. “I’m really excited because I’ve loved theatre for a long time,” Adams said.
Kirk Erwin
Maelee Adams at the Florida Rep for a show
Huffman shared his experience, saying, “Like before a play you get kind of nervous, but, like, once you’re, like, once you start singing, it’s like you’re calm and you’re fine. You’re glad that you sang it.”
Kirk Erwin
Mylo Huffman at the Florida Rep for a show
Verrill emphasized the importance of the theatre’s role in the community, stating, “Florida Repertory Theatre brings 100,000 people every year to downtown Fort Myers. Three-quarters of those people shop and dine downtown in restaurants and shops.”
Florida Repertory Theatre
Young performers taking part in a theatre education program
He added, “Not only is that the first exposure to theatre for many of these kids, which is a beautiful thing. You have recent college graduates as our acting interns and other interns backstage who are learning about theatre and growing their careers.”
The Florida Rep. is set to hold its 28th annual benefit and gala celebration later this month, aiming to raise funds to support its mission and upcoming season.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.