Tampa Theatre has received the largest private gift from an individual in its 100-year history, a donation from Tara Ruberg in support of the nonprofit\u2019s $30 million Second Century Campaign. In recognition of the gift, the theater\u2019s starry night sky ceiling above the Duncan Auditorium will be named the Tara & David Ruberg Night Sky.<\/p>\n
Architect John Eberson designed the ceiling as part of the atmospheric theater style he pioneered in the 1920s. Eberson designed the auditorium to evoke an outdoor courtyard beneath a twinkling night sky, an original feature of the theater when it opened in 1926.<\/p>\n
Construction is underway on the restoration of the historic auditorium and the addition of 3,000 square feet of dedicated education<\/a> space, part of Tampa Theatre\u2019s campaign to restore, modernize and expand the building.<\/p>\n \u201cShe sees this theatre the way we do: as something worth carrying into its next hundred years,\u201d Devin Dominguez, Tampa Theatre\u2019s vice president and director of development, said in announcing the gift.<\/p>\n Additional campaign projects include upgrades to the stage and backstage areas to improve ADA accessibility for performers, employees and volunteers and a full restoration of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, an original feature dating to Tampa Theatre\u2019s days as a silent movie palace.<\/p>\n Tampa Theatre also plans to convert second-floor office space above its historic marquee into The Peacock Room, a lounge intended for gatherings before and after films and for special events. The theater has not disclosed individual project costs or said whether the new space is expected to generate additional event or hospitality<\/a> revenue.<\/p>\n