Manatee Performing Arts Center Expanded Facilities
The Bradenton theater has announced new productions and a significant expansion project for its campus.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Arts Theater — General
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The Manatee Performing Arts Center has launched new productions of Carrie: The Musical and Dear Evan Hansen. Simultaneously, the organization is constructing a major four-story expansion to increase rehearsal and educational capacity.
Why it matters
The expansion addresses a critical lack of rehearsal and educational space required for the center's growing programming needs. The new facility will serve as a permanent home for local arts organizations in the Bradenton community.
The new four-story facility spans 28,600 square feet, with a total project cost of $12.6 million. Supporters including Sara and Steve Bayard have contributed to the $11.55 million currently raised for the project.
The players
Manatee Performing Arts Center
This organization is a community theater located in Bradenton that hosts live performances and arts education.
Sara and Steve Bayard
These donors are major contributors who have provided financial support for the new building project.
The details
Carrie: The Musical is being staged in the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater, while Dear Evan Hansen is playing in Stone Hall. The theater productions utilize LED backdrops and screens to project social media content as part of the staging.
Timeline
The center opened its doors on Third Avenue in 2013.
Carrie: The Musical runs from Oct. 15 through Nov. 1.
Dear Evan Hansen runs from Oct. 22 through Nov. 1.
The new building is scheduled to open in early March.
Industry Dynamics
This expansion project reflects a broader trend of community theaters investing in dedicated infrastructure to sustain long-term educational programming. It marks a significant shift from solely performance-focused venues toward multi-functional arts campuses.
Residents can purchase tickets for current shows through the center's official portal. The new building will eventually provide more opportunities for local participation in educational and rehearsal programs.
The takeaway
Supporting local arts infrastructure ensures that community theaters have the resources to sustain complex modern productions. Theater-goers are encouraged to check venue listings to confirm performance schedules at the different campus halls.
What happens next
The new facility is scheduled to open in early March.
Further reading
Learn more about local productions at the Arts Theater section.
More information
To book your seats for upcoming performances, visit the Manatee Performing Arts Center ticketing portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sarasota Magazine.
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