The Historic Richey Suncoast Theatre
Richey Suncoast Theatre is a historic former movie theatre built in 1925 and later restored for use as a playhouse and community theatre in New Port Richey, Florida. It is named for silent film star Thomas Meighan and opened as the Meighan Theatre on July 1, 1926 with a screening of Meighan's movie The New Klondike. Meighan himself was not present but sent a congratulatory telegram.
In 1930 sound was added to the theatre. Meighan himself appeared to push the start button for the sound. The theatre closed in 1934 due to the Great Depression. It reopened in 1938 under the name The New Port Richey Theatre.
Meighan's interest in Florida developed after talks with his Realtor brother James E. Meighan. In 1927, he built a home in New Port Richey, Florida where he spent his winters. He intended to shoot his film We're All Gamblers there, however, filming was moved to Miami. The Meighans also hoped to draw other celebrities to the area. Meighan had a vision for New Port Richey to be an eastern U.S. version of Hollywood. This plan failed as the property boom in Florida busted in the 1920s and the 1929 stock market crash set off the period known as the Great Depression.
In 1972 the theater re-opened as a community theater featuring live productions under the name Richey Suncoast Theatre. The first production was Fiddler On the Roof in September 1972.
OUR MISSION
Provide the community with education of the arts, performance of the arts, art leadership events, and a venue for artists to display their talents.
OUR PURPOSE
Richey Suncoast Theatre will set the tone for the arts in our community. It will provide a safe, non-biased, and neutral space for people to create, collaborate, and perform. It will provide a place to learn through educational programs, for individuals to perform their greatest pride of work, and to collaborate with others to enhance their roles as artists, teachers, and performers. We will build partnerships and collaborations that combine our strengths to rebuild this theatre into a place that engages young and old, artists and spectators, and dreamers and doers.
We will host workshops and masterclasses using teachers with an expertise to excel. We will feature the amazing local arts schools (public and private) to promote each other. We will open auditions, direction, and creative teams to our community artists. We will open the theatre as an event venue for local businesses and artists to feature their work. And, we will provide opportunities to partner with our local restaurants, wineries, breweries, event planners, other community theatres and talent productions to enhance the theatre going experience.
Expanding our community outreach to the Greater Tampa Bay region.
Seating Chart
Our 328 Seat Theatre features 1 balcony of 4 box seats, a balcony, and main floor.
Facility Rental
Dance Recitals, Music Concerts, Board Meetings, and Fundraisers, weddings, and more! Our theatre has a variety of opportunities for you to use our facilities and peripheral services which do or do not have to include lighting/sound design, concessions, beer/wine, box office, and board room!
Find Parking
Spend more time having fun downtown, and less time looking for a place to park!