The story of the Lake Worth Playhouse took an unexpected twist this summer with an anonymous $1 million gift — a transformational donation that will help ensure the theater’s next act.
With the gift, the Playhouse now has a permanent endowment — a dependable stream of annual funding to fuel its artistic vision, protect its historic building and grow educational programs for the community’s next generation.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this gift,” says Shoshana Davidowitz, executive director of the Lake Worth Playhouse. “As we continue to serve as a cultural anchor for Lake Worth Beach, this endowment ensures that future generations will always have a place to experience the magic of live theater.”
Her goal, she says, is to leave the theater in a better place — both financially and structurally — especially as the 102 year old building continues to age.
“Our programming is strong,” she says. “But we want to ensure we’ll be around in another 100 years, and this gives stability to the organization.”
Rather than use the money for immediate expenses or day-to-day operations, Davidowitz says the endowment will be invested to earn dividends and act as an insurance policy for the theater’s future.
Davidowitz says the fact that someone was willing to invest that much money into a community arts organization says a lot about the importance of arts in the community.
“I put it out to the universe,” she says, “and we were lucky enough to find someone with the ability to donate who supports our cause.”
The money will act as a financial cushion and allow her and the staff to concentrate on the “art of making art.”
“This frees us up to focus on putting out a great product — or great production,” she says.
As a community theater (“Where Community Takes the Stage”), most staff and performers are volunteers who dedicate their time out of love for the craft. The Playhouse has a loyal base of patrons who come often and faithfully, and the theater programs its shows with its audience in mind.
Many patrons may not be able to afford subscriptions to larger venues, but they can see live theater here for $44.
An anchor on Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth Beach, the theater has a storied history — from its beginnings as a silent film and vaudeville house, to surviving the 1928 hurricane, to becoming the oldest Art Deco building in Palm Beach County. It’s also where its most famous alumnus, Burt Reynolds, got his start when the theater was located on the third floor of City Hall.
Today, the Playhouse is one of South Florida’s premier non-profit community theaters, producing musicals, plays, films, radio plays, educational programming and special events. Its leaders say it remains committed to providing affordable, high quality arts experiences and fostering creativity through open auditions, volunteer opportunities and educational programs.
While ticket sales, grants, sponsorships and annual donations support day to day operations, the new endowment establishes a permanent financial foundation that will help sustain the organization going forward.
Artistic Director Daniel Eilola calls the endowment “a crown jewel — a real highlight for the Playhouse.”
The theater has recently made upgrades, including renovations and new seating, and Eilola says he’s enjoying watching the transformation.
“All our years of hard work and delivering some of the best theater in South Florida have paid off,” he says. “It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to pull off 10 productions each season.”
“We do community theater at a high level,” he says. “So it’s great to be recognized and given an assist.”
Annual distributions from the fund go to support main stage productions, preservation and capital improvements, youth education and outreach programs and long term artistic growth and community engagement.
Davidowitz emphasizes that contributions to the endowment are welcome and will help ensure the Lake Worth Playhouse continues to thrive for future generations. The endowment is designed to grow over time, allowing future gifts to expand its impact.
They would also like to find sponsorships to create a family series.
Despite the million-dollar gift, both Davidowitz and Eilola remain humble and true to their roots.
“It’s special to have this opportunity,” Eilola says. “This couldn’t happen to a more deserving organization.”
For him, the payoff is being able to hire talent, give them opportunities, and watch how it fills people’s hearts with joy and purpose. “I see what it means in their eyes,” he says. “That’s what excites me most. And now, thanks to this gift, I believe we’ll be here 100 years from now.”
Looking ahead, Eilola says he’s most excited about the “unexpected.” “We never know who will walk in the door,” he says. “It’s always exciting to have new talent, new skills and new people who become part of our extended family.”
Currently auditioning for next season’s shows, Eilola — who stumbled upon the theater when he first moved to Florida 13 years ago — says, “It’s so exciting to see new faces, and we look forward to what’s in store.”
He encourages people to get involved, whether by seeing a show or auditioning for one. “We want to keep things fresh, exciting and inclusive — and create killer shows.”