Originally known as the Milane Theatre, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center was first constructed in 1923 by the Milane Amusement Company as part of a broad expansion in downtown Sanford. The theater design is indicative of a building style that began appearing in the United States in the 1850s based on European models of opera houses. Motion picture expansion in the early twentieth century led to a boom in the construction of new theaters with over twenty-five thousand theaters located across the US by 1916. The technical sophistication achieve in theater construction during this period remains unparalled in the history of American architecture

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Our theatre epitomizes the tremendous boom and amazing achievements made during this period and is a visual testimony to the rich history and beauty of San-ford. When the theatre opened in 1923, editors of the Sanford Daily Herald proclaimed the building as

"a much needed asset in the City Substantial" and claimed that "this city now has a real theatre and one of which the city can feel proud."

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Over the next few years, there were management changes, the sale of the theatre to Frank and Stella Evans in 1933 and in 1936, the theater was renamed the Ritz The-ater. The Ritz continued to thrive through the years featuring mostly picture shows but also including some live performances, and became an integral part of the history of Sanford

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During the 1960s, the theater attendance declined and in 1978, the Ritz closed after failing to compete with the new multiplex theaters. The theater stood vacant until 1984 when it was reopened as the Showtime Canti-na. Four years later, the theater was closed again and remained vacant until the mid-1990s when it was acquired by the Ritz Community Theater Project, Inc, a nonprofit corporation under the leadership of Helen Stairs.

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The group began renovating the theater in 1999 and it was renamed in honor of Helen Stairs whose determination and dedicated effort has resulted in its renovation. The mission of this new organization was (and still is) to maintain our incredible historic venue, foster regional talent in Seminole County and surrounding areas and provide affordable and quality entertainment to the community at large.

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In 2008, funds were raised to complete additional renovations and updating of the theatre. At this time, the name became the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, in recognition of the contributors from the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust. These renovations expanded the facility to include the Annex (with much needed rehearsal space, offices and storage) while still incorporating the historic theatre.

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In 2015, donations from private donors, the City of Sanford's Community Redevelopment Agency and The Wayne Densch Charitable Trust funded several capital improve-ments, critical infrastructure maintenance and renovations. These projects a complete repainting of the theatre, major upgrade to the marquee including the installation of the new LED Ritz sign, reminiscent of how it looks in the 1930s.

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With the exterior upgrades bringing the class of the 1930s back to Magnolia Ave, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center has been driving to bring the community to the theatre, both onstage and off. We continue to build on the nearly 100 years of history and to strive to be serve the community here in the heart of the Downtown Sanford

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