The Mertz Theatre interior was originally built in 1798 in Asolo, Italy, for the Queen of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro.
The structure was moved from Italy to Florida in the 1950s after being acquired by the Ringling Museum.
The theatre interior contains authentic 18th-century wood and structural elements preserved from the original Venetian site.
The Asolo Rep is the only professional theatre company in the United States that operates within a state-owned art museum.
The theatre is designed to mimic the intimate layout of traditional European opera houses.
Asolo Repertory Theatre is Florida's premier professional resident theatre, housed within the historic Mertz Theatre at the Ringling Museum of Art campus. The venue features an 18th-century Venetian opera house interior that was dismantled in Italy, shipped to Sarasota, and painstakingly reconstructed piece by piece. As the state's largest professional theatre, it produces a diverse season of contemporary and classical plays. The company maintains a close artistic partnership with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Its stage is located within the same complex as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, providing access to extensive cultural exhibits. The venue utilizes a thrust stage configuration, placing the audience in close proximity to the actors.
The ornate, historic interior of the Mertz Theatre, particularly the balcony tiers and the painted ceiling.
Arrive early to walk through the Ringling Museum courtyard, which is beautifully lit during evening performances.
Check the playbill in advance to see if student actors from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory are featured in supporting roles.
Utilize the complimentary assistive listening devices if you have difficulty hearing dialogue in the tiered balcony seating.
Do not attempt to walk from the parking lot in formal footwear if the ground is wet; the museum grounds are extensive and involve significant walking.
Mainstage season typically runs from autumn through late spring; closed for full productions during the summer months.
Business casual is standard, though evening performances often see more formal attire; quiet behavior is expected during the performance.
