🎭 The Next Chapter for Rise Above

From Borrowed Stages… to Building a Creative Home

Every chapter of Rise Above has required faith.

For the first 4½ years, we didn’t have a home.

We rented spaces.
We rehearsed wherever we could.
We built sets in borrowed rooms.
We performed wherever doors would open.

And still — our performers thrived.

Five and a half years ago, we moved into our current space — our first true home.
For the first time, our performers had a rehearsal room, a consistent stage, and a place that felt like theirs.

And now, we’re ready for the next step.

Growing Into What’s Next

We are expanding from 4,500 square feet to nearly 7,000 square feet.

More room.
More opportunity.
More impact.

This move allows us to:

Increase rehearsal capacity
Improve technical capabilities
Expand programming
Serve more performers
Elevate the audience experience

It’s a strategic step forward — building strength and sustainability as we continue pursuing the long-term vision for Rise Above’s permanent future.

This is momentum.

We Know How to Build

Yes — it’s a former restaurant.

And yes — so was our current space.

We’ve become experts at seeing potential where others see walls and wiring.

Converting this space into a fully functioning theater will require:

Stage construction
Lighting and sound infrastructure
Electrical upgrades
Dressing rooms and backstage build-out
Seating installation
Lobby transformation

We’ve done this before.

But this time, we’re building bigger.

Why This Step Matters

Some organizations wait until everything is perfect.

We build forward.

Every space we’ve occupied has prepared us for the next one.
Every move has expanded our reach.
Every challenge has strengthened our mission.

This new location gives us the capacity we need right now.

We’ve Never Waited for Perfect

Rise Above started with a vision — not a building.

And because of this community, we’ve grown from borrowed stages to a creative home.

Now, we take the next bold step.

Bigger space.
Greater impact.
Stronger foundation.

And we build it together.

👉 Join the Build
👉 Give to the New Space Fund
👉 Learn About Naming Opportunities

The future isn’t something we wait for.

It’s something we build.

🎭 Launching the Build: 24-Hour Giving Challenge

As we step into this next chapter, we’re kicking off the renovation with a powerful community moment.

📅 April 15–16, 2026

🕛 Noon to Noon

Rise Above is proud to participate in The 2026 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation..

For 24 hours, every gift up to $100 will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

That means:

$25 becomes $50
$50 becomes $100
$100 becomes $200

This Giving Challenge activates our entire community — families, alumni, patrons, and friends — to help launch the transformation of our new 7,000 sq ft home.

But here’s what makes this moment even bigger:

While the match builds momentum and broad participation, this renovation also requires leadership-level investment. We are actively seeking major donors and corporate partners who want to help fund stage construction, lighting infrastructure, dressing rooms, and essential build-out costs.

The Giving Challenge is the spark.
Leadership gifts build the structure.

Mark your calendar.
Plan your gift.
Share the mission.

On April 15 at noon, we rise together.