Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has confirmed plans for a major US$5.6m (£3.6m, EUR4.2m) improvement campaign at its base in Sarasota, US, which is due to commence in early 2012.

The scheme, which has been designed by Potvin Architects with C Alan Anderson Architect PA and Contractors, will include a revamp of the 6,000sq ft (557sq m) Gompertz Theatre.

A new 18,000sq ft (1,672sq m) extension is also proposed as part of the development, which will include a 130-seat Cabaret Theatre, a 100-seat Lab Theatre and an Actors' Loft.

The first performances in the new-look Gompertz Theatre are due to start in July 2012, with the Cabaret Theatre and the Lab Theatre to open in early 2014 and early 2015 respectively.

FST artistic director Richard Hopkins said: "When Florida Studio Theatre purchased the adjacent property where the current Gompertz Theatre stands about ten years ago, we began dreaming of what FST would one day become.

"We have spent years examining our core and what we do well, and The New Gompertz Theatre campaign will allow us to keep doing that."

Details: www.floridastudiotheatre.org