Island Players: 75 Years of Anna Maria Community Theater

Founded in 1949, The Island Players continues its mission to provide artistic stage productions for Anna Maria Island and surrounding communities. The organization, recognized as the oldest community theater in Manatee County, presents five performances annually between October and May.

The theater's home, a historic building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue, dates to around 1912. Originally the residence of the William H. Gillette family, the structure arrived by barge down the Manatee River. Over the decades, the building served as a municipal center, school classroom, church, tourist information center and a service club during World War II.

Termite damage threatened the building in the mid-1970s. Then-Mayor Harry Cole faced the challenge of a landmark structure with prohibitive maintenance costs. The Island Players, then considering building their own theater, struck an agreement with the city. This deal saved the building and funded major renovations, including a raised stage, 137 tiered seats and carpeting.

The Island Players have consistently maintained the playhouse. In 2009, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society awarded the theater a preservation plaque, visible in the lobby, for its ongoing commitment to the landmark. The "Island Playhouse" is officially recognized as a Florida Heritage Site.