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THE HISTORY OF THE CULTURAL PARK THEATRE

   As Cape Coral has grown by leaps and bounds over the past sixty years, so too has one of the city’s leading cultural organizations. Cultural Park Theater, one of the brightest jewels in the city’s cultural crown, is closing in on its fiftieth anniversary by setting attendance records in its glittering 185-seat auditorium. Our “50th” is still three years away but it’s not too early to begin blowing our horn in celebration. First, though, a little bit of history.

It was 1963, to be exact, when the Cape Players took the stage for the first time. At age four, this fledgling group incorporated as the Cape Community Theater, a name which they retained for 33 years.  Absent a permanent home, the group performed in schools (mostly Cape Elementary) and other locations, including a storefront in Coralwood Mall.

At one point the group wanted to cash in on its success by building its own theater. They floated bonds to raise money but were dealt a severe blow when the general contractor who was hired to build the theater deserted the company, leaving them high and dry.

Like a band of valiant warriors coming out of the woods to save the maiden in distress, in came the Cape Coral City Council.  Its members came to the rescue of the wounded theater company by completing the building on Cultural Park Boulevard that we now occupy. We moved into our present location in 1991 and will be forever indebted to the city for its foresight and generosity. We think the track record we have accomplished in these past twenty years is a sign of our gratitude.

But enough about ancient history and onto something a little more current. The success of Cultural Park Theater in the past year is indication enough of how Cape Coralites have applauded our work. The best sign of thanks are the number of ticket-buyers who attend our increasingly longer and more challenging season. Last year we set a record when we attracted almost 12,000 patrons and this year we’re already on a path to surpass that number. Not too bad when considering the relatively small capacity the house holds, yet a theater that is one of the most handsome and well-equipped in all of Lee County.

While the theater’s full-time staff is limited to three hardy souls, we’re proud to say that Cultural Park Theater allows nearly 400 actors, directors, choreographers, technical and stage crew, costumers, set designers and builders to ply their craft with the sole intention of making our work appealing to a growing audience. This season’s 10-production season is drawing to a close and plans are well underway for another entertaining summer season.

As proud as we all are of our accomplishments, the staff and members of Cultural Park Theater are especially proud of being able to serve Cape Coral, a vibrant community that has its own success story to weave.