Palm Beach Theatre Group Moves to Cuillo Centre for the Arts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The arts have a new home in Downtown West Palm Beach. Palm Beach Dramaworks is the latest tenant to set up shop on popular Clematis Street.

The non-profit theatre group is moving from its location on Banyan Boulevard to the Cuillo Center for the Arts on Clematis Street. The theatre will now be called the Don and Ann Brown Theatre in honor of its new benefactors, who donated $2 million to help Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Wednesday morning, they uncovered the theatre’s brand new marquee, bearing their names.

"We are thrilled and delighted,” explained Ann Brown. “You know, some people have said when they heard we are going to live in Southern Florida, that there wasn't a great cultural life here. Well they are wrong. Palm Beach Dramaworks is the jewel in the crown."

That jewel will shine brighter in a renovated theatre with 218 seats, more than double their old theatre’s capacity.

"We're excited beyond words,” said Sue Ellen Beryl, the managing director and one of Palm Beach Dramawork’s three founders. “Fortunately, with the Browns' support we've been able to push this project forward but just being in our new home is the most exciting thing of all."

The non-profit theatre group started in 2000 with Beryl, Producing Artistic Director William Hayes and Company Manager/Actress Nanique Gheridian. The staff has since grown to 20.

"We were very limited with the work we could do,” said William Hayes, as he walked through the theatre, “very small shows. This new space opens up a whole new body of work."

That includes larger productions, calling for more elaborate sets, like "All My Sons" which will open November 12th.

Before our maximum height was about nine feet,” said Technical Director Josh Aune. “We’ve got up to 33 feet here. It’s a whole different ballgame now.”

The actors are already busy going over their lines in a new rehearsal room, eager to perform in their new venue.

"A little nervous, a little excited, all those things altogether,” explained Nanique Gheridian. “I’m so proud, so proud to share the stage with our amazing South Florida actors."

To learn more about Palm Beach Dramaworks,  click here.