Urbanite Theatre: Bold Stories. Fearless Voices. Intimate Space.

Since its founding in 2015, Urbanite Theatre has become one of Sarasota’s most daring and dynamic cultural voices. With only 65 seats, this small but mighty company delivers big impact—creating visceral, shared experiences that challenge assumptions, provoke conversation and connect communities.

At its core, Urbanite is committed to lifting up the boldest new voices in theatre. Its mission is rooted in inclusive, artist-first storytelling, daring honesty and the powerful connectivity that can only come from an intimate space. The theatre has built a national reputation for championing new work by women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists—establishing itself as a home for stories that might not otherwise find a stage in the American South.

Terri Weagant

“Urbanite Theatre was founded on the belief that intimate theatre can make a massive impact,” says Producing Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace. “Our space might be small, but our stories are anything but.”

“We’re drawn to plays that make you lean in—works that challenge assumptions, break your heart a little and remind you what empathy feels like.”

Season 12: Stories That Stay With You

Urbanite Theatre’s 2025–2026 Mainstage Season promises another thrilling lineup of bold, contemporary works that speak directly to our times.

John Gentry and Tim Gevas

The season begins on October 31, 2025, with the regional premiere of Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix, a hauntingly funny and heartfelt story about fatherhood, queerness, loss and the monsters within us.

Next up is Job by Max Wolf Friedlich (January 9 – February 15, 2026), a psychological thriller that dives into generational divides, digital ethics and the anxiety of modern life.

In spring, Urbanite presents The Apiary by Kate Douglas (March 20 – April 19, 2026), a futuristic and darkly comic tale about the near-extinction of bees and the survival of humanity.

Closing the season is Urbanite’s first-ever musical, Who Is Eartha Mae? (May 29 – June 21, 2026), created by and starring Jade Wheeler. This dazzling one-woman show explores the life and legacy of the legendary Eartha Kitt—an artist, activist and icon who defied the limitations of her time.

The Urbanite Experience

There’s nowhere to hide at Urbanite Theatre, not for the actors, and not for the audience. That’s the beauty of it. The intimacy transforms every performance into a shared act of discovery.

Summer Dawn Wallace

“The intimacy of our theatre changes everything,” Wallace says. “You can hear breath, see tears, feel the energy shift in the room. It’s raw, it’s immediate, it’s human.”

Each Urbanite production is an invitation to sit close, listen deeply and leave changed. With its fearless programming and passionate storytelling, Urbanite continues to redefine what small theatre can do—reminding us that sometimes, the most powerful stories happen just a few feet away.