Lakewood Ranch families and community arts groups could gain access to the area's largest performing arts theater by August 2027 if the School District of Manatee County secures an additional $2.5 million to $4 million in funding for Rangeland High School's auditorium.

Associate Superintendent Kevin Chapman told the East County Observer on Monday, July 27, that the district is working with the city, county and community organizations to upgrade the planned auditorium from a standard school facility into a state-of-the-art theater with enhanced lighting, sound systems, a box office and lobby. Chapman said the upgraded space would seat 800 to 900 people. The auditorium is part of the school's $144 million construction project at the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.

"While we have plain dirt right now, there's a chance to do it now where it's probably cheaper, so we're giving it a shot," Chapman said.

The upgrade has drawn interest from several nonprofits that lack a large venue in Lakewood Ranch. Janene Amick, CEO of the Florida Cultural Group, which owns the Manatee Performing Arts Center, said her facility seats only 350. She identified the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, the Manatee Players, local dance studios and orchestras as groups eager to use the Rangeland space.

School Board Member Chad Choate III, who represents District 4, said a funding decision must be made by December or January. The district is seeking public and private partnerships, and Choate said the challenge is identifying arts supporters willing to contribute.

"People don't walk around with hats that say 'I love arts' so it's going to be word of mouth," Choate said.

If outside funding falls short, the decision returns to the school board to determine what the final build-out will include.

Students come first.

Choate said Rangeland High students will have priority for the auditorium, with a designated district employee scheduling both student events and outside bookings. The district also hopes students will be trained to run the lighting and sound boards, giving them technical skills for the future.

Jess Lubbers, drama teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, said one of the biggest obstacles arts teachers face is finding enough people to create and run programs. Bringing community groups into the space, he said, could help solve that.

Chapman noted the auditorium enhancements are partly a response to Point Park University's interest in establishing a dance and theater campus in Bradenton, though no independent confirmation of that plan has been published.

The nearly 300,000-square-foot Rangeland High School broke ground in January 2026 and will initially welcome about 1,070 ninth and 10th graders in August 2027, adding 11th grade in August 2028 and 12th grade in August 2029. The School Board unanimously named the school on Tuesday, April 28, after receiving 1,663 community suggestions.

No specific school board meeting date has been announced for public comment on the auditorium upgrade. Residents can monitor the board's meeting schedule at manateeschools.net.