The word Asolo originated in Asolo, Italy with a lovely 18th century theatre acquired by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its collection more than 50 years ago. A fledgling acting company founded by faculty of Florida State University (FSU) began performing a summer series of plays under the name of the Asolo Theatre Festival and later as the Asolo Theatre Company. The acting company eventually outgrew the Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater and the company moved into its current home within the FSU Center for the Performing Arts where it has enjoyed notable success.