Urbanite Theatre

Urbanite Theatre is a dynamic black-box theatre located in Sarasota, Florida, renowned for its intimate venue and dedication to presenting thrilling theatrical works. Established in 2014, the theatre was founded by Summer Dawn Wallace and Brendan Ragan, who met at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training in 2011 while completing their Master of Fine Arts in acting. Their shared vision of an artist-first theatre company led to the creation of Urbanite Theatre, with the aim of filling the gap in Sarasota's cultural landscape for challenging and contemporary theatrical productions. The founders' vision gained further momentum with the addition of Harry Lipstein, a passionate theatre maker and talented architect. The trio's collaborative efforts quickly turned Urbanite Theatre into a sold-out sensation in Sarasota. Since its inception, Urbanite Theatre has produced an impressive array of performances, including over 50 plays, three new play festivals, five world premieres, two United States premieres, and numerous regional premieres. Urbanite Theatre's mission is to create visceral, shared experiences by fearlessly promoting the boldest new voices in theatre. The organization prides itself on inclusive, artist-first storytelling, daring honesty, and the powerful connectivity that comes from its intimate performance space. The theatre is committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion, believing that a workforce composed of different backgrounds and experiences contributes to a more creative, innovative, and productive atmosphere. The theatre has a strong stance against discrimination and is dedicated to building an equitable, anti-racist, and inclusive environment. This commitment is reflected in its respect for diversity across various human qualities such as ethnicity, race, color, country of origin, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, beliefs, political affiliations, socioeconomic status, experiences, and any form of disability. Urbanite Theatre's leadership includes Summer Wallace as the Producing Artistic Director, with a dedicated administration team and board of directors that guide the organization's direction and uphold its values. The theatre also acknowledges the indigenous communities native to the region, specifically recognizing that it operates on the unceded ancestral land of the Calusa and Seminole people. Urbanite Theatre continues to be a significant cultural force in Sarasota, offering a platform for innovative and thought-provoking theatre while also supporting the professional and personal growth of its employees and the broader community.