Two New Major Corporate Gifts & Phase 2 Philanthropy Update Announced By Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced today two major corporate gifts. Tupperware Brands and Ravago Americas are both contributing $1 million on top of previous gifts. Naming rights were given to both companies with their initial gifts — the Tupperware Brands Lobby is situated at the stage door lobby that welcomes artists, students and people doing business at the arts center. The Ravago Terrace Bar on Tier Three features a view of the Seneff Arts Plaza and the DeVos Family Room.
“At Tupperware Brands we are committed to positively impacting and serving our communities,” said Tom Roehlk, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary at Tupperware Brands, “We hope that our participation in the Dr. Phillips Center’s vision to bring Arts for Every Life in Central Florida will challenge other corporations to support this great mission.”
The Corporate Hospitality Suite will be named for Tupperware Brands as a result of this additional gift of $1 million. The Tupperware Brands Corporate Hospitality Suite will host companies that have purchased a Dr. Phillips Center Corporate Hospitality Package that allows business leaders to bring guests and clients to the arts center for performances with special use of the suite for pre-show and intermission.
Also a longtime supporter of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Ravago Americas’ joint commitment will further the completion efforts of Phase 2. “We are pleased to lend the support of our company to the Dr. Phillips Center’s purpose to create a cultural hub for our families and visitors to Central Florida,” said Ron Nardozzi, EVP & Chief Financial Officer Ravago Americas. “We hope to inspire the other companies who live, work and play here in Central Florida to support the arts center.”
“The opening of the first phase of the Dr. Phillips Center was the culmination of decades of dreaming, planning and hard work. Phase 2 will fulfill the vision and the commitment of every person who has contributed,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. “We are grateful to Ravago and Tupperware for their continued support.”
Phase 2 consists of the 1,700-seat Steinmetz Hall that will join the existing 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater and the 300-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater already in operations since the Dr. Phillips Center opened in November 2014. In addition to the acoustical theater, Phase 2 will complete the Seneff Arts Plaza, add rehearsal, classroom and office space.
The timetable calls for completing fundraising in 2016 with a projected ground breaking in spring of 2016 and opening in 2019. Construction drawings have been submitted to the City of Orlando’s permitting office. Preliminary cost estimates are expected in October and final cost estimates will be completed after a construction manager is selected in the fall. The current projected cost of Phase 2 is $177 million and approximately $35 million is left to raise toward the completion of the project. More than $153 million in private philanthropy has been raised for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.
