The Manatee Performing Arts Center operates 12 months out of the year to accommodate locals, as well as visitors who are looking for more than beach culture.

Since 2005, CEO, Janene Amick has been aggressively working to expand the mission of the Manatee Performing Arts Center from a small stage for musical theater to an iconic center for arts and culture in the Bradenton Area and beyond.

These days any number of performers and performances are happening – including comedians, magicians, dance recitals, ballet, and concerts. Behind the scenes, professional groups, civic organizations, elected officials, and the Chamber of Commerce use the space for town halls, meetings, award ceremonies, and other get-togethers.

“What we’ve tried to commit to both locally and regionally is that every weekend, there’s something to come and enjoy with family and friends,” she notes. “So one weekend it may be a concert. The next weekend it may be musical theater. Many times a season, it’s multiple choices.”

Something for everyone

If there is something she has forgotten, you can’t blame her. After all, the Manatee Performing Arts Center operates 12 months out of the year to accommodate locals as well as visitors who are looking for more than beach culture. 

Since 2005, Janene has been aggressively working to expand the mission of the Manatee Performing Arts Center from small stage for musical theater to an iconic center for arts and culture in the Bradenton Area and beyond.

These days any number of performers and performances are happening – including comedians, magicians, dance recitals, ballet and the annual Christmas “Nutcracker” program. Behind the scenes, professional groups, civic organizations, elected officials and the Chamber of Commerce use the space for town halls, meetings, award ceremonies and other get-togethers.

“What we’ve tried to commit to both locally and regionally is that every weekend, there’s something to come and enjoy with family and friends,” she notes. “So one weekend it may be a concert. The next weekend it may be musical theater. Many times a season, it’s multiple choices.”

A history of entertainment

The origins of today’s modern Manatee Performing Arts Center stretch back to 1947, when several members of the Bradenton Women’s Club, also aspiring actors, formed a community theater group, and became known as the Manatee Players.

The success of the show and the popularity of the group continued to grow. But it wasn’t until 1953 when the actors had a dedicated space in which to perform when The Riverfront Theater was constructed along the Manatee River.

But after six decades of hard use, it was time to find a new home and a new mission. Historically, “It was just that place you went to for musical theater,” Janene notes. “And we wanted to grow that base of understanding that we were providing the community so much more than just that.” In addition to state-of-the-art musical theater, the new center needed to serve the community’s artistic and cultural needs – enhancing the quality of life of the Bradenton Area’s locals and visitors.

“Entertainment is subjective,” she adds. “Some people think coming and hearing a lecture, an author coming in and doing a presentation and a talkback… To some that is entertaining, that’s thought-provoking. It may not have a musical tune to it, but that is a way that they spend their time”

So, plans for the current space were made. And in March 2013, the doors opened to welcome its first audience. Today, the demand just keeps growing. “It truly has become a facility used by the community and regionally to gather people together,” Janene adds.

Action Through Acting

No matter if you’re a serious patron of the arts or just someone who enjoys a good show now and then, the Manatee Performing Arts Center is a can’t-miss experience. And if you do, you’ve “missed out on an experience that reflects the cultural fabric of our community and region,” Janene observes.

The Action Through Acting program is a prime example that reflects the spirit of bringing our community together. It is a series of community-focused, theatrical productions selected to increase awareness of socially-relevant issues. They are an impetus for essential conversations in our community. The theme of each production highlights a crucial issue affecting our daily lives. Action through Acting is supported and enhanced by community conversations and nonprofit affiliate partners whose missions are to support, educate and provide aid to our community and surrounding areas. This season there are five productions presented using both the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater and Stone Hall: Rent, Pets! The Musical, Next to Normal, Go Ask Alice, and Driving Miss Daisy. “Not only will they be able to get to see a great show,” Janene adds, “they’re going to learn about some great local resources and what they can do to help others.”

Fun for the ages

DraMature is another program that serves one of our largest populations-seniors. This senior troupe of actors ages 55 and over is committed to serving the diverse culture of Manatee and Sarasota County’s seniors by presenting live theatrical programming that will entertain, inspire and educate audiences while showcasing its members’ talents and promoting a positive image of older adults. Skill development is learned through performing skits, songs, comedy improvisation, and learning in a workshop-style setting. DraMature performs in both the Spring and the Fall as well as engagements locally throughout Manatee County. Members are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no cost to participate.

Artistic collaborations

With the expansion of the Manatee Performing Arts Center, there’s been a growing demand for more. “In many ways, we’ve already outgrown our space,” she notes.

Is it possible to be too successful? Not for Janene. In the process, new partnerships have bloomed.

One of those partnerships is Theatre Odyssey. The Manatee Performing Arts Center is the exclusive ticketing agent for their events. They recently held their fourth One-Act Play Festival at the Asolo, but the center was able to support their efforts by serving their patrons with online, box office and marketing services.

For Janene, it’s exactly what she’s been aiming for.

“I love the business of providing opportunities for people both as amateurs and professionals to hone their skills as well as share their passion.”

To that, we can only say, “Bravo!”