Announced January 2020
Venice Theatre has named its 432-seat MainStage proscenium theatre after Venice Theatre benefactor, Dr. William H. Jervey Jr. “The Jervey Theatre” name above the lobby was unveiled on Jan. 25, 2020, during the 2020-2021 Season Announcement Party. Producing Executive Director Murray Chase made the announcement before the MainStage productions for the 71st season were revealed to the packed house.
“Our Next Act Capital Campaign will change the potential of Venice Theatre by purely developing a space for programs we’ve been trying to implement for some time,” Chase remarked. “As we move forward with renovations, we are moving forward with developing programs for it. But this would not have been possible without the generous donations of many of the folks in this room, and, in particular, a very generous donation from one individual, Dr. Bill Jervey. He will match all funds up to $1,000,000 to pay down the loan for the purchase [of the Arts Education Center] and support the three-building campus as we get it ready for the future.”
“It is indeed the beginning of The Next Act. To that end, it’s a turning point and a special day for us. We are proud today that this auditorium will henceforth be known as The Jervey Theatre.”
Chase then welcomed Dr. Jervey to the podium where he shared these words: “These are tough acts to follow. This is probably the proudest day of my life. I am so honored. I grew up in the Hawaiian Islands, and some of my happiest remembrances are of going to our community theatre, the Diamond Head Theatre, with my parents. For those experiences to culminate in this theatre taking on my name is the proudest moment that you can imagine.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Venice Theatre has put our little city of Venice, Florida, on the map. I have every confidence that with your continued support, both in terms of your volunteerism and in terms of money, we will make Venice one of the pre-eminent world cities. We’re already doing that with aactWORLDFEST. There is no reason we cannot make Venice Theatre a true world-class destination. With that, let me say thank you again and God bless.”
Dr. Jervey left the stage to a standing ovation and shook hands with guests as they departed the theatre.
The Jervey Theatre and the benefactor’s transformational gift will encourage the community to match his generosity with donations to The Next Act Capital Campaign's goal of $7M.
It is Venice Theatre’s great honor and privilege to name the larger of its two theatres after Dr. Jervey. Its 90-seat black-box theatre retains the name of the family whose matriarch launched so many programs for children in our community, Yvonne Pinkerton. The Pinkerton Theatre and The Jervey Theatre signs are brand new: backlit white-on-black in easy-to-read type.