The City of Winter Garden is poised to select a new presenting partner for the Garden Theatre on Plant Street, the historic venue that closed in October 2024 after years of financial difficulties.
Seven organizations submitted proposals when the city issued its Request for Qualifications earlier this year, as we reported in February. The selection committee met on April 13 and ranked them as follows:
- DNA Event Creative (445 points)
- Osceola Arts/O Arts (386)
- Victory Productions (372)
- Young Star Musical Theatre (362)
- Theatre South Playhouse (328)
- Theatre 13 LLC (299)
- Halo Theatre of Orlando (161).
As you can see by the numbers, DNA Event Creative‘s (Website) lead over the field was substantial. City staff will now bring the rankings and recommendations to the Winter Garden City Commission for formal approval at the April 23 meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Public comment will be taken at that time.
If approved, the presenting agreement would run from April 23, 2026, through April 22, 2028. The presenting partner would be responsible for developing and managing a season of live performances, theatre, concerts, comedy, and public programming, with a family-friendly focus and coordination with the city on scheduling, marketing, and approvals.
The Garden Theatre has been dark for nearly 18 months.
