Vero beach Theatre Guild

The Vero Beach Theatre Guild (VBTG) is a community theatre organization with a storied history in the city of Vero Beach, Florida. Established in 1958, the Guild was initially formed following earlier theatrical endeavors by the Business and Professional Women and other local groups. In its early years, the Guild presented plays at various venues such as the old naval base, junior high school, and high school, with props, costumes, and sets often being stored and built in the garages of volunteers. In 1962, the VBTG introduced the Genie Awards, named in honor of Eugene C. Davis, the Guild's first director, to recognize excellence in theatre. Two years later, in 1964, the Guild secured a 99-year lease with the City of Vero Beach to build its own small building in Riverside Park. This facility served as a space for rehearsals and storage, although performances continued to be held at the high school stage. The year 1965 marked the founding of the Vero Beach Community Theatre Trust, which aimed to raise funds for a new, larger theatre to serve Indian River County. This effort culminated in the opening of the new Vero Beach Community Theatre in 1973 with the comedy "Tom Jones." The theatre was later renamed Riverside Theatre, and the Guild served as its resident acting company for the next 12 years. In 1985, the Guild left Riverside Theatre due to a shift in leadership and direction that favored professional theatre. The Guild then relocated to a former church on San Juan Avenue, which was transformed into a theatre with the help of 16,000 volunteer hours. The new location opened with the play "John Loves Mary," echoing the Guild's inaugural season. The 1990s saw significant growth and improvements for the Guild. In 1992, after extensive fundraising and grants, the Guild underwent major renovations and reopened in 1993 with the play "Rumors." The Guild celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, an eventful year that also included structural upgrades following damage from hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. In 2011, the VBTG established a cooperative relationship with the Vero Beach Charter High School, allowing the school to use the Guild's stage for productions. This period also saw the expansion of the costume department and increased off-site storage. By 2013, the Guild had outgrown its existing facilities, prompting a capital campaign for the East Wing Expansion, a three-story complex to house new dressing rooms, rehearsal space, and costume storage. Construction began in 2015, and the new addition was ready by the summer of 2016. The Guild's commitment to presenting challenging and contemporary works was evident in 2017, with the introduction of large-scale musicals to its modest stage and the election of five new Board of Directors members. In 2018, the Guild underwent further physical transformations, consolidating its storage facilities. By 2019, the VBTG had transitioned to a year-round operation, offering seven main stage productions and three staged readings as part of its Apron Series. As it celebrated its 65th season in 2022, the Vero Beach Theatre Guild reflected on its decades of contribution to the arts and the community. The organization continues to look forward to many more decades of fostering creativity, ingenuity, and emotional experiences that have become the hallmark of the Vero Beach Theatre Guild.