How Can Outdoor Lighting Transform a Community Landmark

When the St. Petersburg City Theatre announced in 2016 that it was in too much debt to continue running, an important piece of history was nearly lost forever. As the “oldest, continually operating community theatre” in Florida, the St. Petersburg City Theatre has touched the lives of countless residents since it first opened in the 1920s. From retired soap opera actresses to soldiers training during World War II, the stage of the St. Petersburg City Theatre has seen it all.

In addition to putting on musicals like Memphis and The Pajama Game, the theater is also well known for its summer camp programs that enrich the lives of children across the St. Petersburg area. This summer alone children will be putting on three shows: Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz, and Madagascar. After debating closing down just a few months ago due to overwhelming and unexpected debt, nobody is taking this year’s summer performances for granted.

The “#SAVECITYTHEATRE” campaign has gained a great deal of attention throughout the community, and many residents and businesses are doing what they can to contribute to the theater’s comeback. People like Lisa Marone and Mardi Bessolo view St. Petersburg City Theatre as one of the cultural jewels in the area, and they are fighting are to fundraise, connect with sponsors, and help the theater thrive once again.

Nick Schriver, the owner of landscape lighting company Decorating Elves, also sees the promise of the St. Petersburg City Theater. To support the theater’s revitalization efforts, Schriver and his team are using outdoor lighting to help transform the theater’s appeal and aesthetic appearance. Decorating Elves is proud to be donating all of the materials, time, and manpower to create a “lighting face lift” in the hopes of creating new interest for the theater.

Outdoor lighting is a very powerful way to support the “#SAVECITYTHEATRE” campaign. A professional outdoor lighting arrangement can draw positive attention to a building and transform the way it looks to help create a new and attractive atmosphere. To make this possible for the St. Petersburg City Theatre, Decorating Elves will be lighting up the front trees, placing holiday lights on the sign, and lighting the trim of the building itself. By donating their expertise, the lighting experts at Decorating Elves will help to make St. Petersburg City Theatre a cornerstone of the community once again.