Leasing at Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum's production department handles leasing of this beautiful and historic facility. The production staff provides professional event management services, event staff, technical know how and a link to professional services to ensure that your event is always a professional production. Theatre The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum showcases an array of exciting musical and theatrical performances throughout the year. Great names in entertainment including Bobby "Blue" Bland, AHMAD JAMAL, The Manhattans, and Nneena Freelon have each had their moment in the spotlight on the legendary Ritz stage. The Ritz Theatre is a 400-seat Art Deco auditorium, featuring a state-of-the-art sound system, theatrical lighting and a 30' x 40' performance stage. The theatre brings to mind it's former life as a movie theater by housing one of Jacksonville's only 35 millimeter film projectors, and is available to show films, adding the option for an authentic movie theatre experience to your event. Supporting the theatre are storage and loading spaces, dressing rooms and technical areas. Lobby The lobby of the Ritz Theatre is one of Jacksonville's premier reception and gathering spaces. The lobby is available for daytime and evening events, a wonderful space for everything from corporate meetings to wedding receptions. The lobby is a great space for any size crowd, comfortably hosting a sit-down event of 150, or a dancing/standing room crowd of up to 500. The Art Deco space features a bar, serving space/gift area, and easy access to theatre, museum and restrooms. Chairs and table usage are included in the price of lobby rental. Museum LaVilla Museum houses an exhibit of the history of African-Americans in Northeast Florida. A walk through the museum reminds us of the significant contributions and rich legacy of past generations. The exhibit replicates scenes of everyday life with photographs and artifacts that bring forth the essence of a past filled with love and perseverance. An exciting feature of the LaVilla Museum's permanent exhibit is Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, an animatronic salute to LaVilla's native sons, James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing capture the essence of time through projected images, music, dialogue and theatrical lighting. The voices of Jacksonville native and nationally renowned educator Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, singer/actor Harry Burney, and legendary actor Ossie Davis, resonate with purpose and history as you experience the brothers unfolding their story. For more information on leasing, please call 904-632-5555.