Cape Coral's new Belle Theatre is dream come true for founder and FGCU graduate
When Tyler Young’s mother, Laura, took him to the theater and Broadway shows in New York as a youth, he wasn’t as interested in the performances. He was curious how a set could be changed so quickly; how actors could change into different clothes so quickly and how they could move from one side of the stage to another without being seen.
So when he performed in his first production at age 7 at Cape Coral’s Cultural Park Theater, Young became more excited about seeing how it came together as opposed to acting in it.
“I remember wanting to go backstage and seeing how it was done,” he said. “That was intriguing to me. I was super excited. When I saw it, I thought, ‘This is a cool thing.’“
More than 20 years later, it’s still a cool thing for Tyler Young.
In fact, this became so passionate for him that he and partner Chris Ramirez found a 7,000-square-foot building at 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd.
Young now is the founder, president and executive director of The Belle Theatre, which opened in mid-May. It’s named in honor of his nanna Belmira ‘Belle’ Young, who supported him and attended nearly all of his performances and productions until she died in 2017.
In another way to honor his nanna, a bell will ring to signify the end of an act.
“In the middle of 2021, we really started having conversations on if this is possible and financially feasible,” Young said. “It’s also something the community needs. So we started looking at property and real estate, buying or renting, North or South Cape. We looked at a lot of different places.”
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Young has a team of friends and colleagues who’ll make The Belle Theatre grow. He also has a board of directors.
Young’s team members include Dana Alvarez, director of theatre education; Peyton McCarthy, production manager; Chloe Cuyler, costume designer; and Landon McCarthy, sound and lights.
Volunteers, friends and family who helped Young’s dream become a reality included Lori McCarthy, Margaret Bowman, Stephanie Sabelhaus, Iniavette Santoro, Tatiana Rodriguez, Cassy and Josh Terwilliger and Juan Alvarez.
Young’s wealth of theater experience includes approximately 35 production credits through his position of 10 years as drama director at Gulf Elementary School and volunteer for various productions at Cultural Park.
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While The Belle Theatre has applied for 501(c)(3) status, Young’s plan is to run it like a business. To cut down expenses, he and his dad, Barry, – owner of Young’s Electrical Contracting – and did the wiring for the new building.
“This is a labor of love,” said Young, who has a business management degree from Florida Gulf Coast University.
The mission of the theatre is as follows: To offer access to quality performing arts educational programming for youth and adult artists, while providing a welcoming venue for creative thinking, expression and entertainment where the community can collaborate and grow together.
There will be two youth camps this summer. In the future, Young wants to have college, high school, middle school and youth programs as well as children’s programs.
He also wants people of all ages to take part in the various aspects of the theatre.
“All of the pieces have come together,” he said. “It’s been a great song and dance.”
And if all goes well – so will the productions.
More information
What: The Belle Theatre
Where: 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd.
For more information: Call founder Tyler Young at 471-6056 or e-mail https://thebelletheatre.com/SOR2022
Camps, events
Through June 24: James and the Giant Peach JR (children 8 and over)
June 27-July 8: Willy Wonka Kids (children 5-12)
Aug. 1-5: End of Summer Broadway Bash (all ages)
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral's new Belle Theatre is dream come true for founder and FGCU graduate
