Florida Studio Theatre Receives $35,000 from The Exchange
The funding includes a $30,000 grant for FST's 2026 Summer Cabaret Series and 2027 Winter Cabaret Series, as well as a $5,000 grant to support WRITE A PLAY.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has received two grants from The Exchange totaling $35,000, supporting both the theatre's Cabaret Series and its nationally recognized WRITE A PLAY program. The funding includes a $30,000 grant for FST's 2026 Summer Cabaret Series and 2027 Winter Cabaret Series, as well as a $5,000 grant through the Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Fund to support WRITE A PLAY.
A longtime supporter of Florida Studio Theatre, The Exchange has helped sustain artistic and educational programming that serves audiences, students, and families throughout the community. This latest funding continues a longstanding partnership dedicated to expanding access to the arts in Sarasota.
“For 30 years, The Exchange has been an extraordinary partner to Florida Studio Theatre, helping us bring exceptional live theatre and arts education to our community," said Rebecca Hopkins, Executive Director of Florida Studio Theatre. "Their steadfast commitment to our Cabaret Series has been instrumental in its growth. Their recent support for our WRITE A PLAY program's residencies in Alta Vista and Brentwood Elementary Schools reflects a deep belief in the power of the arts to inspire and educate. The Exchange's generosity has enriched the lives of countless audience members and young people, and its enduring investment continues to strengthen our community. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and the lasting impact they have made throughout the region."
The Exchange's grant for the Cabaret Series will support the creation and presentation of professional musical revues during both the current Summer Cabaret Series and the upcoming Winter Cabaret Series. Known for its intimate performances and diverse musical offerings, FST's Cabaret Series welcomes thousands of patrons each year.
The 2026 Summer Cabaret Series is currently underway, featuring Songbirds of the Seventies: From Woodstock to Soft Rock in FST's Court Cabaret. Also playing in the Goldstein Cabaret is Legacy: Motown & More!, a high-energy celebration of hit music from the 1960s through today.
In addition to supporting FST's artistic programming, The Exchange has awarded a $5,000 grant through the Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Fund for WRITE A PLAY, a year-round arts education initiative that empowers students to create and share their own original stories.
For more than 35 years, WRITE A PLAY has inspired young people to explore their creativity through theatre. The program reaches more than 30,000 students annually, guiding participants through every step of the playwriting process through classroom workshops, educational resources, and live theatre experiences.
Since its launch in 1991, WRITE A PLAY has served more than one million students locally, nationally, and internationally. Each year, thousands of students submit original scripts to FST's Young Playwrights Festival, where a select group of winning plays is chosen for professional production and performed on an FST stage.
Through their continued support of both the Cabaret Series and WRITE A PLAY, The Exchange helps ensure that audiences can experience live theatre while students discover the power of creative expression.
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Neil Berg's The 70s: Long Live Rock 'N' Roll Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (11/12-11/12) |
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The Vampire Circus Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (10/25-10/25) |
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Ahoy-Hoy by Jenny Stafford Urbanite Theatre (10/29-11/29) |
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Leanne Morgan Pensacola Bay Center (9/05-9/05) |
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The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle Urbanite Theatre (1/07-2/14) |
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Almighty Queen - A Tribute to Queen Manatee Performing Arts Center (10/27-10/27) |
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Songbirds of the Seventies Florida Studio Theatre (7/07-9/13) |
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ShaToby: Tributes to Shania Twain and Toby Keith Manatee Performing Arts Center (3/09-3/09) |
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The Da Vinci Code Manatee Performing Arts Center (1/14-1/24) |
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Paddy O'Furniture Manatee Performing Arts Center (3/16-3/16) |