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A production of the:
For press passes, please e-mail
your request and credentials
to: info@TCIFilmFest.com
your request and credentials
to: info@TCIFilmFest.com
Other events may be added. Check the website
for updates.
for updates.
Riverside Theatre
Built in 1973 on a 54-acre tract of land designated by the
city of Vero Beach as a cultural park, Riverside Theatre
was erected with $1.5 million raised solely from private
donations. For the first few years of its existence, the
Riverside Theatre building served primarily as the home to
the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, the local community theatre
group, and occasional bus & truck tours. In 1980, the
Riverside Children’s Theatre (RCT) added education and
programming for children to these activities, though it
wasn’t until 1985, with the hiring of a full-time education
director that classes and productions starring local
children truly began. In 1983, the Friends of Riverside
Theatre, a fundraising group, started the Celebrity Series
with an appearance by Ray Charles, and this series, and
appearances by celebrities, became an integral part of the
Theatre’s programming.
The most pivotal moment in the history of the Theatre,
however, took place in 1984 when the Theatre’s Board
suggested that the Guild, a group that was using the
Theatre a majority of the time but not selling enough
tickets to provide much income for upkeep, hire
professional directors for their productions. Angered by
this request, the Guild took their productions and went
elsewhere. The Theatre’s Board then created and set in
motion a plan to make Riverside a producing professional
theatre. Equity guest artist contracts and the hiring of an
artistic director were the first steps down this trail. The
inaugural season for the Riverside Theatre Acting
Company followed close behind in 1985-86. By 1987-88,
Riverside had its first letter of agreement with Equity and
had established itself as the first and only Equity theatre
company on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Now in its twentieth
season, Riverside has moved on to a LORT C (League of
Resident Theatre) contract, and has grown to be one of
the largest producing professional theatres in the State.
As Riverside grew, so did its facilities. In 1986, a
rehearsal hall was added to the west of the Theatre
proper. In 1991, the Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse
(AWYP) became the home of Riverside Children’s Theatre
and additional funds helped break ground for a scene
shop adjacent to the northeast corner of the main Theatre
building. In 1998, the Anne Morton Theatre (AMT),
Riverside’s second stage, opened. Built primarily as the
home for RCT productions, the AMT also serves as the
site for Riverside 2, the Acting Company’s second stage
series, and the Actors’ Cabaret. In 1999, still more
construction renovated the backstage areas and original
dressing rooms and moved all the administrative offices
out of the Theatre and into the Leonhardt Administration
Wing.
All these additions pale however in comparison with what’
s to come. In 1999, a Long Range Facilities Planning
Committee surveyed staff, patrons and the Board as to the
Theatre’s long term facility needs. This survey found that
renovation of the audience chamber and the addition of a
lobby were the primary concerns of the Riverside faithful.
In the summer of 1999, architects were hired to address
these concerns. Feasibility studies, three different
schematic designs, and fundraising ensued.
Finally on September 1 of 2005, a Building Permit for the
all new Riverside Theatre was granted.
www.RiversideTheatre.com
city of Vero Beach as a cultural park, Riverside Theatre
was erected with $1.5 million raised solely from private
donations. For the first few years of its existence, the
Riverside Theatre building served primarily as the home to
the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, the local community theatre
group, and occasional bus & truck tours. In 1980, the
Riverside Children’s Theatre (RCT) added education and
programming for children to these activities, though it
wasn’t until 1985, with the hiring of a full-time education
director that classes and productions starring local
children truly began. In 1983, the Friends of Riverside
Theatre, a fundraising group, started the Celebrity Series
with an appearance by Ray Charles, and this series, and
appearances by celebrities, became an integral part of the
Theatre’s programming.
The most pivotal moment in the history of the Theatre,
however, took place in 1984 when the Theatre’s Board
suggested that the Guild, a group that was using the
Theatre a majority of the time but not selling enough
tickets to provide much income for upkeep, hire
professional directors for their productions. Angered by
this request, the Guild took their productions and went
elsewhere. The Theatre’s Board then created and set in
motion a plan to make Riverside a producing professional
theatre. Equity guest artist contracts and the hiring of an
artistic director were the first steps down this trail. The
inaugural season for the Riverside Theatre Acting
Company followed close behind in 1985-86. By 1987-88,
Riverside had its first letter of agreement with Equity and
had established itself as the first and only Equity theatre
company on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Now in its twentieth
season, Riverside has moved on to a LORT C (League of
Resident Theatre) contract, and has grown to be one of
the largest producing professional theatres in the State.
As Riverside grew, so did its facilities. In 1986, a
rehearsal hall was added to the west of the Theatre
proper. In 1991, the Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse
(AWYP) became the home of Riverside Children’s Theatre
and additional funds helped break ground for a scene
shop adjacent to the northeast corner of the main Theatre
building. In 1998, the Anne Morton Theatre (AMT),
Riverside’s second stage, opened. Built primarily as the
home for RCT productions, the AMT also serves as the
site for Riverside 2, the Acting Company’s second stage
series, and the Actors’ Cabaret. In 1999, still more
construction renovated the backstage areas and original
dressing rooms and moved all the administrative offices
out of the Theatre and into the Leonhardt Administration
Wing.
All these additions pale however in comparison with what’
s to come. In 1999, a Long Range Facilities Planning
Committee surveyed staff, patrons and the Board as to the
Theatre’s long term facility needs. This survey found that
renovation of the audience chamber and the addition of a
lobby were the primary concerns of the Riverside faithful.
In the summer of 1999, architects were hired to address
these concerns. Feasibility studies, three different
schematic designs, and fundraising ensued.
Finally on September 1 of 2005, a Building Permit for the
all new Riverside Theatre was granted.
www.RiversideTheatre.com
Directions to the Theatre from
North A1A
Directions to the Theatre from
South A1A
Directions to the Theatre from
Interstate 95
Directions to the Theatre from U.S. 1
North A1A
- A1A South to Vero Beach
- Turn right on State Road 60 (Also
known as Beachland Blvd.) - Turn left at the 2nd Traffic Signal
(Riverside Park Drive)-You should see
the Theatre Marquee on the left side of
road before the turn. - The Theatre is the 2nd building on the
left. - The parking lot for the Theatre is on the
right.
Directions to the Theatre from
South A1A
- A1A North to Vero Beach
- Turn left on State Road 60 (Also known
as Beachland Blvd.) - Turn left at the 2nd Traffic Signal
(Riverside Park Drive)-You should see
the Theatre Marquee on the left side of
road before the turn. - The Theatre is the 2nd building on the
left. - The parking lot for the Theatre is on the
right.
Directions to the Theatre from
Interstate 95
- South or North to Vero Beach exit 147-
State Road 60 - Take State Road 60 east thru town
- Cross the Indian River heading toward
the Ocean - Turn right at the Traffic signal at the
base of the east side of bridge
(Riverside Park Drive) - The Theatre is the 2nd building on the
left. - The parking lot for the Theatre is on the
right.
Directions to the Theatre from U.S. 1
- South or North to Vero Beach
- At intersection of State Road 60 go east
- Cross the Indian River heading toward
the Ocean - Turn right at the Traffic signal at the
base of the east side of bridge
(Riverside Park Drive) - The Theatre is the 2nd building on the
left. - The parking lot for the Theatre is on the
right.
Theatre History
Directions
3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963 772-231-6990