FST celebrates the grand opening of the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre

The old bathrooms at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre instigated the multimillion dollar renovation and expansion. Appalled by the state of the dilapidated bathrooms, Georgia Court made a donation. In honor of her late husband, John C. Court, the new bathrooms are deemed “Georgia’s Johns.” The new cabaret is named the John C. Court Cabaret.

FST broke ground in January on the renovation of the theater. The existing 6,000-square-foot-space was renovated and 18,000 square feet were added. Staff members picked up paintbrushes to finish Gompertz in July for a soft opening. The grand opening will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 29, with “The Next Act Gala.” The new Gompertz Theatre, the Green Room Café and the lobby space will all be open Dec. 5, during the production, “The Best of Enemies.”

The John C. Court Cabaret will open in January, and The Bowne Lab Theatre is set for completion in January 2014.