Theater Venue Rental

The Sarasota Opera House has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Welcome to the Sarasota Opera House! Located in the heart of historic downtown Sarasota, the Sarasota Opera House and its adjoining multi-use event areas will lend an elegant ambiance to your theater performance or special occasion.

The restored William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre, along with the Harold and Kay Ronson Grand Atrium, the Simonsen and Montminy Opera Club, the Selby Foundation Lobby, the Lee and Bob Peterson Great Room, the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard, and more, provide a variety of options for your theatrical performance, corporate event, celebration, private party, or any other special date. Whatever your expectations, let us be an integral part of an event that will dazzle your audience. 

Whatever it is, we’ll bring your ideas to life in the heart of the historic Sarasota Opera House. Complete the Venue Rental Request form or contact our rental team at [email protected]

Important Notice: No rentals are permitted during Sarasota Opera's Fall and Winter seasons (October-November / January-March).

William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre

Constructed in 1926, our beautiful theater seats 1,119 guests and had undergone an extensive renovation in 2008 that brought it to new standards of technology, comfort, and elegant beauty. 

Click here for a detailed capacity and rental fee schedule.

Click here for a detailed technical specifications.

Felding Hall & Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard

Our landscaped courtyard features wrought iron fencing, flowering plantings, and a fountain – making it an appealing outdoor space for dinner or cocktails. Opening directly onto the courtyard, Felding Hall offers space for hosting an intimate dinner.

Harold and Kay Ronson Atrium

Restored to its 1920s grandeur, the soaring grand atrium offers the perfect space for your reception, elegant feasting dinner, or special event. The atrium is often enjoyed in combination with the adjoining open courtyard, and the Selby lounge area which overlooks the atrium. 

Click here for a detailed capacity and rental fee schedule

William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Lobby

Overlooking the Grand Atrium, the William G. and Marie Selby lobby and lounge offer the perfect space for small to medium size receptions or dinners. Often used in combination with the adjoining opera club or grand atrium the Selby lounge area has great flexibility when an unexpected increase in guests may require additional space.

Simonsen and Montminy Opera Club

Our opera club is the perfect space for the small to medium size private social event. A favorite for birthdays, showers, and anniversaries. The opera club can also be opened to expand and compliment the Selby lounge area as needed. 

Jonas Kamlet Library

The Jonas Kamlet Library is an excellent space for business presentations and meetings. Equipped with a large screen video monitor and seating for eighty-five guests, this space could be the ideal location for your next business event.

Lee and Bob Peterson Great Room

Our largest space, the Peterson Great Room, is flexible seating just over 300 hundred guests for board meetings, lectures, or dinner and dancing.

Click here for a detailed capacity and rental fee schedule.