Garden Theatre's closure shocks community

The news of the Garden Theatre’s unexpected closing Oct. 2 has left many residents shocked, confused and heartbroken.

The theater has been a staple in the community since its original opening in 1935 and, after many years of being shuttered, again at its reopening in 2008.

Garden Theatre representatives announced the closure on the theater’s website.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Garden Theatre Inc., due to financial challenges that have proven insurmountable,” the statement read. “Despite our best efforts to continue providing a space for creativity, community and the performing arts, we can no longer sustain the operational costs and demands necessary to keep our doors open.”

The theater underwent several renovations until closing in 1963, falling victim to the popularity of television.

The city of Winter Garden then purchased the building in 2002, turning over restoration efforts to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. The joint effort between the two organizations culminated in the successful reopening of the Garden Theatre in February 2008.

“Unfortunately, rising costs and the challenges of recent times, including significant state budget cuts, have deeply impacted our ability to secure the funding required to maintain our mission,” theater representatives wrote on the website. “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years — our audiences, donors, volunteers and artists. Your dedication and passion have been the heartbeat of this theater, and we are honored to have been part of this community for so very long. While our final curtain has drawn, the memories, friendships and artistic achievements we’ve shared will live on. Thank you for being part of our story and for allowing Garden Theatre to be part of yours.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Although Garden Theatre representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment from the Observer, Keith Davenport, Garden Theatre COO, shared some of his thoughts on his personal Facebook page. 

“Friends, I have been hesitant to respond to the Garden Theatre closure, because in the past any truthful and authentic expression of my words regarding the theater have been turned and used against the organization or me as a weapon, so, I won’t,” he said. “That said, as I am no longer an employee, I will only inform you that I, too, am affected by this closure with pain for the lost institution, tears for the young artists and our staff and board, and a horrific sadness for the performances past that will look and feel a bit different moving forward. But, my passion for what the arts in community, and, in specific, West Orange County, can do, I celebrate with the good the theater did in its various chapters over its 17 years. In 2008, Garden Theatre began to entertain, educate and bring enlightenment to a community that was ready for it. It is a beautiful facility, and the art can continue.”

Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams said the city became aware of the Garden Theatre’s closure at the same time as the public. 

“Although the city owns the building, the city’s longstanding agreement with the theater does not grant the city jurisdiction over its operations and finances,” he said. “As such, the city did not have a role in the theater’s decision to close its doors. Currently, the city is looking into the legalities and ramifications of the closure, and this process will take time. Meanwhile, what is certain is that the Garden Theatre is an important cultural resource for Winter Garden and Central Florida, and the historical Garden Theatre will remain intact as the theater.”

Restoring the Garden Theatre and presenting it to the people as a performing arts center was the fourth architectural preservation project of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.

“Led in large part by Barbara Roper, a capital campaign begun in 2003 led to the theater’s new debut in 2008,” Jim Crescitelli, director of the WGHF, said. “We are proud of its position as a gem set firmly within the heart of the downtown historic district. I speak in the present tense, because we have a feeling that it will be back. It served as a valuable player in Winter Garden’s revival, and we do not want to see it fade away.”

Groups, such as Young Star Musical Theatre, have offered assistance for those impacted by the theater’s closure. The organization offered its theater and rehearsal space to the young actors scheduled to perform in the Garden Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” previously scheduled for Oct. 24 through 27, as well as other local performances.

“We are sad to hear the recent news about the closure of the Garden Theatre,” YSMT staff said. “We know how much time, effort and heart has gone into their upcoming production of ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and our hearts go out to everyone involved. Young Star Musical Theatre wants to help any way we can. We’re offering our theater and rehearsal space, 67 S. Dillard St., right down the street from the Garden, so the show can go on and these young performers can still experience the magic of bringing their talents to the stage.”

YSMT also will be taking in the “Willy Wonka” homeschool students through December. 

Local residents already have created a Facebook page called “Save the Garden Theater!” as well as a petition to try and help.

However, Jessica Huckabey, an independent theatrical producer who owns nonprofit Central Florida Stages INC and who brought “Moonshine and Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas Tale” to the theater last year, said a petition isn’t the best way to help the theater.

“Like you, I do not want this venue to close,” she shared in multiple messages on Facebook. “However, I want to take this opportunity to educate the public on how theater works so that you, the audience, can better support theater makers and also assist in making sure theater and entertainment remains in the Garden Theatre.

“The building ‘The Garden Theatre’ and the nonprofit that was running it, ‘The Garden Theatre INC’ are NOT one and the same,” she said. “This creates a bit of confusion in the public eye. The building itself is owned by the city of Winter Garden. They have simply given permission to the nonprofit business entity to manage and operate within the space. The nonprofit theater company itself can, and likely will, be replaced. However, this is not simple. The theater company ‘The Garden Theatre INC’ has already, or will be, completely dissolved. This means that this nonprofit will no longer be operational and that all of their debt will simply be absolved, minus their obligation to make final payroll to their employees. This means they have no obligation to pay back any money they owe to anyone, including ticket holders, donors, creditors, etc. I don’t personally know anything about their operations or intentions. They may still try to pay certain things, but they are not legally obligated to, as far as I know. They are basically ‘bankrupt,’ which for a nonprofit means they have to close.”

Huckabey said many people have formed opinions on the theater’s operations, and this has created huge strife. 

“Honestly, it is irrelevant,” she said. “People make mistakes. Sometimes, they are irreversible. That’s unfortunate but true. At this point, we should applaud this company for their years of dedication to the arts and leave it at that.”

She said the nonprofit will wrap up its operations and hand the building back to the city, who will then determine what nonprofit gets to operate the building next.

Huckabey said her nonprofit is prepared with a team to come in and keep the building operational. However, the organization must have cooperation and permission to do so.

She said the community can best support by advocating for her organization to take over. Those who have questions or comments or wish to provide assistance can email [email protected].

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Garden Theatre representatives previously said the organization suffered a tremendous hit from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto of about $900 million in state projects, including $32 million in cultural and museum grants and related funding, as he signed the 2024-25 $116.5 billion state budget.

Theatre South Playhouse, led by executive director Hillary Brook, said the closure is a sobering reminder of the fragility of nonprofit arts organizations. 

“The Garden Theatre is a cultural landmark that has provided opportunities for our community since 2008,” she said. “I personally hold this beautiful building dear to my heart for providing both of my children with the beginning of their professional careers on its stage. The arts foster creativity, growth and inclusive unity — experiences that are becoming increasingly rare. If we don’t take immediate action, we risk losing more vital spaces. Our state leaders, representatives and, most importantly, our community need to rally behind the arts before it’s too late.”

Previous Garden Theatre staff also have taken to Facebook to express their feelings following the closure, hinting at the theater’s previous struggles with topics including diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“What happened to the Garden is not unique and could and does quickly happen to other arts organizations,” Nick Bazo, previous education director at the Garden Theatre, shared on his Facebook. “We need to reexamine the antiquated board structure of most of our arts organizations. We need to revamp our funding structures and find better ways to get investment from our communities.” 

Following turnover in several highly visible roles at the theater in 2022, the theater’s board of directors announced the temporary cease of operations to focus on “conducting an in-depth review of our organizational structure and operations.” 

In March, Garden Theatre leaders issued a formal message on social media acknowledging and apologizing for “the past harms that have been done to the Orlando theater community.”

As part of the theater’s readjustments, theater officials said the board and staff completed training, including DEI training, through the Edyth Bush Institute with Rollins College. 

Throughout the past few months, the theater also appeared to have achieved tremendous strides with its success of many shows, such as “Pippin,” which focused on accessibility and the talented contributions of deaf actors and creatives for audiences to experience the duality of the hearing and non-hearing world. The theater also partnered with the Central Florida Audio Description Initiative to bring audio description to local audiences who are blind or have low vision.