The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco has announced a $35 million gift from an anonymous donor. 

The largest single gift in the organization’s history will enable A.C.T. to make capital improvements to its theater spaces and provide critical annual operating support as it works to rebuild its audience in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. At the recommendation of the donor, A.C.T.’s historic Geary Theater will be renamed the Toni Rembe Theater in honor of the longtime San Francisco Bay Area arts philanthropist and current A.C.T. board member.

“We are deeply grateful to the generous donor for this extraordinary gift,” said A.C.T. executive director Jennifer Bielstein. “The funds provided are transformational for the future of American Conservatory Theater and the impact of our programming throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Toni is a role model, and we are honored to recognize her in such a deserving and significant way. The Toni Rembe Theater will forever serve as a reminder of Toni’s decades-long contributions to the arts community.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mike Powell)