Hollywood Opening Night event transforms Florida Theatre, raises supporting funds

Posted on June 3, 2022 By Editor Top Stories

Patrons Roger and Merry Rassman were out with Sam and Karen Inman, Michael and Jerri Franz and Amity and Ryan Olson, the couples were on hand to strut their best Oscar attire and enjoy Florida Theatre’s major fundraiser. Party-goers bid on glamourous silent auction items, drank martinis, and enjoyed sensational entertainment during the Oscars after Party, Saturday, May 21.

Four hundred patrons walked the red carpet in their most fabulous attire on May 21 when the historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre was transformed into Hollywood Opening Night presented by Dex Imaging. They enjoyed a fabulous evening full of food, drinks, one-of-a-kind performances and more – all to benefit the theater.

Hunter Brown, Parker Bryant, Karen Carter and Mike Carter, Tracey Bryant with PC Bryant

“In a typical year the Florida Theatre earns 85% of its income from the box office and other business and fundraises the final 15% to balance the budget every year, said Numa Saisselin, Florida Theatre’s president. “Funds from our annual benefit party support about 2% of that final 15%. It’s not a big percentage of the total pie, but it’s 100% of our ability to be the special Florida Theatre that people know and love.”

Hollywood Opening Night Costume Characters

Funds realized from the benefit make it possible for the theatre to serve the community with programs such as free tickets for Title 1 schools, plan historically appropriate repairs and improvements to the building, and bring the world’s best cultural performing artists to Northeast Florida.

This year’s benefit raised $206,000 for the Florida Theatre.