Backlot Project is a go...

"The Backlot is an exciting new cooperative arts and education facility providing accessibility to the arts, sports and education for underserved audiences and children of all ages. We strive to provide an environment in which participants are allowed to create and experiment with ways to engage the fringe and the mainstream, the marginal and the conventional. An atmosphere in which individuals can actively create or merely experience. Where artists can exercise their brains. Where strangers can become friends, building healthy personal relationships with people of all ages, cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic situations.

The Backlot opens it's doors to a vast array of artists and organizations, working with them through mentoring and assisting them in developing the resources necessary to bring their dreams and visions to reality and to an audience. We encourage workshop productions in theatre and music for audience feedback. We welcome extensions of successful productions from around the country. We feature and develop new audiences for independent films as well as classics and cult favorites. We promote and display exemplary works representative of the local applied and decorative arts. We introduce new and unique talent in the form of acoustic music performances, improvisational comedy and poetry readings. We encourage applied thought, learning and hearty debate through the availability of workshops, seminars, informative presentations and moderated discussions. We endorse sports training and competition to nourish and embolden the body and the soul. We promote diversity by means of outdoor multicultural festivals and arts events that are affordable and accessible to the general public from all neighborhoods. Finally, it is an objective of The Backlot to provide an environment that functions as a clearinghouse for information about the local arts, tourism and attractions. To work in cooperation with local agencies like the Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Arts Council to create a fusion of thought and action leading to improved marketability, profitability and economic stability for the community as a whole. To help build bridges between existing organizations and cooperative ventures like multi-venue ticket deals and access to centralized ticketing and information. To establish a gateway through which individuals can approach Sarasota as an exciting travel and entertainment destination as well as a viable and interesting place to settle, work and raise a family.

Theatrical productions proscenium, arena thrust, and in-the-round; rehearsal space, set and costume fabrication and storage, workshop productions for Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and transfer productions from successful runs at other local theatres. "

Musical events
Educational and self help workshops
Live and acoustic music
Acting, film production, music and dance instruction
Ongoing digital film screening series
Outdoor art shows, festivals, street fairs and markets
Corporate meetings and seminars with teleconferencing capabilities
Film studio marketing and development test screenings
Variety of good casual dining options
Broadcast sporting events
Low cost annual and vacation rentals in a creative environment
Catered parties and sit down dinners
A central clearinghouse for information and tickets for a vast array of arts and tourism related activities
Worship services
Ballroom Dance exhibitions
Low cost housing for guest artists, visiting educators, presenters and Backlot patrons
DJ'ed dance parties and entertainment
Teen events and educational outreach
Cooperative office space for arts organizations and non-profits with shared business support services including telephone, fax, internet, copying, box office and volunteer management, cooperative advertising rates and credit card processing, bulk mailing and secretarial support.
Olympic Weight training and boxing education and youth outreach.


For Information call Mark Marvell- Managing Director (941) 400-8401, or Mark@BacklotArts.com


The Backlot plans include a black box theatre building, a multi-use commercial building, about 1,600 affordable housing residential units, and 31 single family homes on Old Bradenton Road slated to sell for $125,000 to $150,000. For more on the project, go to www.BacklotArts.com.