Venice Theatre, at the center of historic downtown Venice, Florida, was devastated by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Originally founded in 1950, it grew to be the largest community theater, per capita, in the United States before the devastating storm damaged its mainstage Jervey Theatre.
We were originally contacted by the Venice team in April 2024 and awarded a letter of intent for Flyhouse to join the rebuilding project.
A few months later, just as our team was about to begin production of the new motorized systems, all work was paused; the theater lost its primary funding commitments from the county government.
Starts and stops in the sunshine state
The project remained on hold while the organization looked for new sources of financing, and for more than a year it seemed it might never happen.
Suddenly, in January of this year, we were notified that all on-site construction could restart and remaining work proceed, with a goal of completing the project by end of year. Our team quickly got back to work with full focus on meeting the revised project’s timeline.
Our shop fabricators began on the five new Flyhouse Counterweight Assist Hoists and controls with programmable recall trim positions, as well as production of the new automated line shaft fire curtain with a new smoke pocket and custom rigging.
Since early September, our team has been onsite ensuring that project goals are being met. We are installing a new counterweight system with a new guide wall, two lock rails, 29 new single purchase line sets, a capstan winch, along with all the Flyhouse gear that began production earlier this year.
Once complete, the new Jervey Theatre will feature a new grid beam trolley and hoist system to help productions during load-in, all new curtain track and stage drapery, and two new front of house trusses operated by D8+ rated chain hoists to allow even more flexibility for performances.
All along the way, the Flyhouse crew has been impressed by the dedicated and passionate local theater community in Venice, FL. We are so proud to be part of a team entrusted with this long-awaited project. Venice Theatre’s 77th season is underway and the new Jervey Theatre is set to open with their production of Kinky Boots in February 2027.
