Donald and Ann Brown Donate $2 Million to Palm Beach Dramaworks Donald and Ann Brown of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; and Washington, DC have made a gift of $2 million to South Florida's professional resident theatre company Palm Beach Dramaworks. In honor of their contribution, the single largest contribution in the history of the organization, the theatre company's new facility located on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach will be named the Donald and Ann Brown Theatre and will have its officially opening night gala on November 11, 2011. "Palm Beach Dramaworks is one of South Florida's most deserving cultural treasures and has won local and national acclaim for its inspired productions. We value our commitment to the theatre because we believe the performing arts are beacons of the times we live -- they illuminate tales that shine in the light. With this new theatre, Dramaworks will not only continue to present first-rate productions, but they will have an intimate, professional, first-rate facility to call home," stated Donald and Ann Brown. "Words are simply not adequate to express our gratitude to Don and Ann Brown for their generous support of Palm Beach Dramaworks, and for taking a leadership role and exemplifying the level of Arts advocacy that is needed throughout our country. The Brown's clearly recognize the vital role of the private sector in supporting those Arts institutions that most enrich and enhance our lives. On behalf of the staff, management, and board of directors of Palm Beach Dramaworks, let me express our sincere appreciation to Don and Ann Brown for investing in our regional theatre, and recognizing it as an important component of our community...and our society," commented William Hayes, Palm Beach Dramaworks' producing artistic director. The donation will endow the South Florida's theatre institution main theatre facility in the Brown's name and will feature a newly reconfigured auditorium chamber with seating capacity of 218, a multi-use black box theatre space, newly designed administration offices and costume shop. The project is designed by Gino deSantis (Zeidler Architects). There will also be a new lobby bar featuring gourmet snacks, coffee, beer and wine. Originally opened in 1999, the former Cuillo theatre occupies a distinctive location on Clematis Street and defines a gateway to the newly established waterfront and West Palm's restored downtown. Theatre Consultants Collaborative is the theatre consultant on the project, with Edward Dugger + Associates providing acoustical consulting services. 
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