Asolo Rep, Florida Studio Theatre And Van Wezel To Host Free Backstage Sarasota Trolley Tour

Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will collaborate for the first time to present Backstage Sarasota: A Theatre Trolley Tour on April 18, 2026.

The free event, part of the international Remake Learning Days festival, will invite families to travel between venues by trolley while participating in a series of interactive arts experiences. Attendees will explore backstage spaces, watch a live performance, and take part in a movement workshop designed to introduce young audiences to different aspects of theatre-making.

The program will begin at Asolo Repertory Theatre, where families will tour rehearsal halls, costume shops, and backstage areas to learn how productions are created. Participants will then travel to Florida Studio Theatre to attend The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster & Other Winning Plays, an annual production featuring student-written works performed by professional actors.

The final stop will take place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, where participants will join a musical theatre movement workshop led by Director of Education Justin Gomlak. The session will combine dance and storytelling, encouraging participants of all experience levels to explore performance through movement.

“What's exciting about Backstage Sarasota is that it brings the magic of our arts community together in a collaboration we haven't done before! At Asolo Rep, families will go behind the scenes to see how the magic is made, then experience it onstage at FST, and finally create their own at the Van Wezel. It's an incredible day of discovery, creativity, and connection through theatre,” said Yvette Kojic, Associate Director of Education & Engagement.

“For more than 35 years, Florida Studio Theatre has celebrated the creativity of young playwrights by bringing their stories to life on stage. This production shows just how imaginative and fearless young writers can be,” added Caroline Saldivar, Director of Children’s Theatre at Florida Studio Theatre.

“The Backstage Sarasota project is so exciting for us because it brings together these three theatre organizations who usually work very separately. This notion of collaboration is a perfect message to send to our families,” said Gomlak.

Families may attend individual events, though access to the trolley is reserved for those participating in all three experiences. The day will conclude with an ice cream social at the Van Wezel.