About Us

The Powel Crosley Theatre is committed to producing unique theatrical presentations of the works of some of the greatest authors and playwrights in literary history, including Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, O. Henry, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde. The works of these classic authors are a vital and enriching part of our culture.

Our home is Seagate (also known as the Crosley Estate), the beautiful Mediterranean Revival-style mansion built by Powel Crosley, Jr. in 1929 as the winter home for his wife, Gwendolyn. The Crosleys lived in the home until Gwendolyn passed away in 1939. Over the years, the mansion fell into a state of disrepair, so much so that it was scouted as a location for the 1998 release of the movie “Great Expectations.” However, the Manatee County Commission had purchased Seagate in 1991 to prevent it from being lost to urban development and by 1998 restoration was underway.

The mansion sits on 16 acres on Sarasota Bay. The 11,000 square foot home has 21 rooms, 10 baths and an adjacent carriage house (currently undergoing restoration). It’s a gorgeous venue, from the regal palms that line the drive to the expanse of lawn that leads to the shimmering bayfront. Placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1982, the Powel Crosley Theatre makes use of this magnificent mansion – inside and out – to provide you with a sumptuous theatrical experience. No other local theatre company can claim a home quite like ours!

Near the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, the Powel Crosley Estate sits on Sarasota Bay directly southwest of the University of South Florida campus on North Tamiami Trail/US 41. The address of the Crosley Estate is One Seagate Drive, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.  It is one-half mile north of the University Parkway and US 41 intersection. University Parkway is exit # 213 off Interstate 75.

The Crosley Estate offers plenty of free on-site parking. Handicap accessible parking is available.

Limited concessions (such as wine, coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages) are offered at each performance.  No carry-ins allowed.