Denee Lortz News

On Monday, February 24, artists and supporters of Florida Studio Theatre (FST) flocked to its downtown campus for FST's annual fundraiser, the Dangerous Ladies Shindig. Long-time FST supporter Marie G. Kropp chaired the event, and Gulf Coast Community Foundation supported the Shindig as its lead sponsor. With exclusive live entertainment, the presentation of the distinguished Spelman Award, and a plated three-course dinner, FST's Dangerous Ladies Shindig was a not-to-be-missed event for many of the greatest supporters of the arts and contemporary theatre in Sarasota.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST)'s Winter Improv Season kicks off with FST Improv Presents: When X Meets Y, an improvised musical inspired by a location suggested by the audience and three random notes on the keyboard. In this show, FST Improv cast members weave a story of romance, heartache, and fate told through music and comedy. When X Meets Y has been performing to sold out audiences for the past four years. This improvised musical romance is now playing and runs every Saturday and Friday, January 31 at 8:30PM in FST's Bowne's Lab Theatre through February 15.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces a new partnership with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to provide key support for FST to expand its Children's Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance to differently abled youth and those in need, as well as pilot a new program dedicated to elementary students on the Autism Spectrum.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces its Fall Improv Season, which includes a brand new show, Last Laugh, and raises the stakes in its audience favorite competition show, Out of Bounds.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces that FST Improv's popular improv show, Comedy Lottery, will return to Sarasota. In Comedy Lottery, the audience literally shapes the show-12 audience members select the games the improvisers will play that evening-so no two performances of Comedy Lottery will ever be the same. Starting July 27, Comedy Lottery will play Saturdays at 7:30 pm in FST's Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces its Summer Children's Theatre production, Off the Charts!, an original musical revue celebrating the universal language of music. Featuring family-friendly versions of songs from the past century, this brand-new show explores the power of popular music to make us think, feel, and connect across generations. With songs like "Hound Dog," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and "Uptown Funk," this music revue is for children of all ages and their favorite grown-ups.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces its Spring Improv Season, which includes brand new performances every Friday and Saturday, and a special, one-night-only performance celebrating April Fool's Day. The season kicks off on April 13 with FST Improv Presents: Tournament of Fools, its annual epic, "survival of the fittest" competition. Cast members will compete in a series of games, songs, and scenes to capture the audience's support in order to win the noteworthy title of "Champion of Fools." In this knockdown, drag-out comedy battle royale, FST improvisers earn points from the audience based on their performances. After each round, the improviser with the least points is eliminated.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST)'s winter Improv season kicks off with FST Improv Presents: When X Meets Y, an improvised musical inspired by a location suggested by the audience and three random notes on the keyboard. In this show, FST Improv cast members weave a story of love, heartbreak, drama, and destiny infused with music and comedy. Previously performed as isolated holiday-themed performances, this is the first time that When X Meets Y is getting its own full multi-week run. FST Improv Presents: When X Meets Y will run every Saturday in FST's Bowne's Lab Theatre beginning January 12 through February 16.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces its first-ever cabaret-style children's show, Reel Music, a musical journey through the history and heart of the movies. Featuring songs from such hit movies as The Wizard of Oz, Frozen, Moana, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Lego Movie, and Trolls, this blockbuster musical adventure will entertain fans of classic black and white films and brightly animated movies alike.

The School of Theatre at Florida State, known for its nationally reputable program, encourages the creation of art, defies standards and makes bold moves to produce caliber productions. With the upcoming presentation of William Shakespeare's comedic classic Much Ado About Nothing, director Walter Kmiec embraces the spirit of experimentation and sets the production in Southern Florida during the glamorous 1920's. This show will run from March 29 - April 7 in the Lab Theatre, located by the Pensacola Street parking garage

With its national reputation, the School of Theatre at Florida State premieres its theatrical season with Beth Henley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Crimes of the Heart directed by MFA Directing candidate Matt Silva. This production will run from October 5-14 in the Lab Theatre, on Copeland Street between St. Augustine and Lafayette Streets.