Sarasota Opera has received a $25,000 grant from the 1st Source Foundation to support a feature-length documentary marking 100 years of the Sarasota Opera House, originally opened in 1926 as the Edwards Theatre.

Tentatively titled “The Sarasota Opera House: A Centennial Celebration,” the film is being produced by Steve Sabato in collaboration with Rene Gilmore of ABC7’s Empowering Voices. The documentary will trace the building’s evolution from a silent-movie palace to one of the country’s most respected opera venues, drawing on archival footage, new interviews with historians, artists, and longtime patrons, and narrative storytelling.

“This centennial is more than a milestone for the company. It is an opportunity to honor a cultural institution that has helped shape Sarasota for generations,” General Director Richard Russell said, per an official press release.

The film will premiere on PBS WEDU on April 9, followed by a community screening at the Opera House on April 12 as part of an open house event. It will also be distributed through Sarasota Opera’s digital channels, educational outreach, and partnerships with local cultural organizations.

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