Sept. 8, 2025 – Douglas Anderson School of the Arts has made it official: the long-awaited Betsy Lovett amphitheater was unveiled to a crowd of students, staff, local officials, and supporters during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The open-air amphitheater – which provides additional space for student performances and instruction – was funded entirely through private donations to the Developing Artists Foundation.
“It truly is a one-of-a-kind performance space, providing students with a needed opportunity to refine their skills in an outdoor environment,” said Erin Skinner, President of the Developing Artists Foundation.
The $1.6 million amphitheater was designed by Tom Rensing, President of KBJ Architects, Inc. He said plans to construct the amphitheater began in 2019 but were put on hold due to COVID-related shutdowns. Even as the pandemic subsided and businesses began to reopen, Rensing noted construction costs skyrocketed, forcing delays and challenges.
“It took a long, long time, and we went through many iterations of designs,” said Rensing. “We tried everything in our repertoire to try to figure out how to get this into the budget.”
School leaders say it was ultimately the generosity of alumni, families, and business partners who helped make the dream a reality. The completed amphitheater now boasts a 5,000-square-foot waterproof metal canopy built with durability and longevity in mind. The canopy was also designed to allow students to hang lighting, speakers, scrims, and other theatrical equipment.
“We can have many, many performances underneath this roof,” Principal Timothy Feagins told the crowd. “Take pride in the fact that you have a covered amphitheater here at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida.”