Pre-Order Our Book
One of the many ways we plan to celebrate our upcoming 100th Anniversary this Fall is by publishing Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories, written by Andrew Huse and published by University Press of Florida, a gorgeous 272 page book chronicling our complete history for the first time.
This book traces the story of the theater from its opening in 1926 as a home for silent films through decades of historic preservation efforts to the present day, where, grander than ever before, it serves as a nonprofit film and cultural center for the Tampa community. And featuring over 200 illustrations, it’s the perfect way to bring Tampa Theatre into your home.
Book publication September 22, 2026; Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories retails for $30. Copies also will be available for purchase at Tampa Theatre’s 100th birthday celebration on October 15.
Upcoming Book Events
- 3:00 pm Sunday, September 20 at Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
- The event is presented by Oxford Exchange. Admission is $5, which goes toward book purchase. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
- 6:00pm Thursday, October 15 at Tampa Theatre.
- Ticket info and details HERE. Admission is $26.
- 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 21 at Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg
- The event, presented by Tombolo Books, is free and open to the public. RSVP REQUESTED HERE
Second Century Construction Progress
Our goal is to fully restore Tampa Theatre in time for our 100th anniversary in October of 2026. Beginning in 2026, we will invest in four key areas to offer visitors a dazzling, immersive experience within a unique cultural gem that will be a source of civic pride for years to come.
As part of the first phase of the campaign, which totals $24.5 million, Tampa Theatre will fully and authentically restore the historic Duncan Auditorium to its original grandeur. To complete this work, the Duncan Auditorium will be closed March 10 through the end of September for infrastructure upgrades, restoration of the decorative paint and plaster, and preservation of its original fixtures and furnishings. During construction, the John T. Taylor Screening Room will remain open for films and events, so our community and members will still have access to Tampa Theatre throughout the renovation.
Historic Duncan Auditorium
A full and authentic restoration of the paint and plaster will require that expert artists be able to access every square inch of the auditorium’s ornate walls and starry ceiling. The first step is to fill the space with a multi-level scaffolding.
New Education Wing
To accommodate the Theatre’s expanding education program, more than 3,000 square feet of underutilized office and storage space on the Florida Avenue side of the building are being cleaned out and demolished to make way for dedicated classrooms.
Restoration Video Gallery
Take a virtual trip behind the scenes of Tampa Theatre’s Second Century Restoration. Hear from the experts who are restoring the theatre with care and get a close-up view of unique architectural elements rarely seen before. New videos added periodically throughout the restoration.
Get Involved
Countless members of our community have been an important part of writing the Tampa Theatre story, and the of our next chapter will be shaped by your support. Contributions at every level are greatly appreciated and impactful.
There are many ways to support Tampa Theatre’s Second Century Campaign including one-time gifts, stock transfers, multi-year pledges, and more.
The Second Century Campaign invites supporters at every level to join us in safeguarding this iconic institution. To make a gift and learn more about naming opportunities and other ways to give, please contact Laura LeBlanc Corry, laura@tampatheatre.org or 813.397.8697