It doesn’t appear the Renaissance Theatre will be able to stage any performances of “Nosferatu” — its biggest, most popular annual production — in its Orlando building this year. But the company has added additional performances of the vampire-themed extravaganza, as well as its weekly OTR drag show, at other Orlando venues.
A month after the city of Orlando shut down the theater on Sept. 19, artistic director Donald Rupe emailed supporters an update on the situation.
“By this weekend, the Ren will have lost more than $300,000 in revenue from ‘Nosferatu’ and other events,” he wrote. “This is hitting us hard.”
The city objected to the construction of a large-scale set that funnels theatergoers through the scenes of “Nosferatu,” citing fire-code violations. Theater staff worked quickly to destroy the set and address the code issues, but in the process, permitting issues were discovered, delaying the company’s return to the building on Princeton Street near Loch Haven Park.
Other issues have also arisen, Rupe said in his update, including the need for a different style of fire alerts for patrons.
“This week, we learned we’d have to upgrade our fire alarm from a regular siren alarm to the kind that has a voice telling you to leave the building,” Rupe wrote.
Two more performances of “Nosferatu” and its accompanying “VBar” show have been scheduled for Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando. The “OTR” show will be at The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando, on Oct. 29. For ticket information, go to rentheatre.com.
Rupe said the “on the road” versions of the shows were lifting staff and performer morale, as well as raising needed funds.
City shuts down Renaissance Theatre, citing code violations
“We’ve discovered that “Nosferatu” and “VBar” look pretty great on a larger stage; maybe we’ll do a tour someday,” he said. “The shows have been really great, well-attended and a much-needed reprieve from what we’re facing.”
Despite the huge losses — the theater spent about $500,000 preparing “Nosferatu” — Rupe said the company was staying afloat because of its chief supporter.
“Most nonprofits and businesses would have closed by now,” he said. “We’re surviving so far, thanks to the generosity of one man, co-founder Chris Kampmeier, who is supplementing our income in order to keep our staff paid and the lights on. Additionally, we’ve raised $33,178 from 292 incredible donors.”
In his message, Rupe praised city employees for their help in fixing the issues and sounded a note of optimism.
“We’ve been working every day to get back to the building,” he wrote. “We do believe we have a path forward, and there is some reason to hope that we’ll be back in the building soon.”
Rupe also said he had been personally touched by the “kind notes and well-wishes,” donations and other help the theater had received.
“It’s taken my breath away to see the support that’s come in so far,” he wrote. “At the end of this, I know I will certainly have a deeper appreciation for what we have at the Ren, even more than I did before. We’ve learned a lot of things, and we look forward to getting home.”
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https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/21/renaissance-theatre-orlando-nosferatu-update/