The theatre was originally designed by the architect John M. Eberson, a pioneer of the 'atmospheric' theatre style.
It was shuttered for nearly 20 years, from 1983 until the city purchased and restored the building in the early 2000s.
The venue utilizes a state-of-the-art sound system integrated into a structure built nearly a century ago.
The restoration project preserved the original facade and lobby layout to maintain its historical 1920s identity.
The Sunrise Theatre is a restored 1923 Mediterranean Revival-style performing arts venue located in the historic downtown district of Fort Pierce. It originally opened as a vaudeville and silent movie house before undergoing a major multi-million dollar restoration that concluded in 2006. The venue features a 1,200-seat main auditorium designed for acoustics and sightlines. It hosts a diverse calendar including national touring acts, Broadway-style productions, concerts, and comedy shows. The facility includes an attached art gallery and a black box theatre for smaller, experimental performances. It serves as a central anchor for the economic and cultural revitalization of the city's waterfront corridor. The architecture retains original decorative elements, including ornate ceiling detailing and period-appropriate fixtures.
The marquee and the historic arched entrance on South 2nd Street during the evening when the neon lights are illuminated.
Arrive early to explore the rotating exhibits in the attached art gallery before your show begins.
Check the venue's official website for 'behind-the-scenes' tour availability, which occurs sporadically throughout the year.
Park in the designated public lots surrounding the block to avoid limited street parking congestion.
Do not attempt to purchase tickets through third-party scalpers, as the venue only verifies tickets issued through their official box office system.
The box office and gallery operate on a seasonal schedule that fluctuates based on the current performance calendar; the theatre is occasionally closed to the public on dates without scheduled events.
Smart casual attire is generally encouraged for evening performances; avoid disruptive behavior or using recording devices during active stage shows.
